Who supports who? Why the US elections have everything to do with music

This Tuesday, November 5 are celebrated presidential elections of USA a body in which it will be defined who will govern the country for the next four years starting from January 2025.

The former president Donald Trump is running for a second term, with JD Vance (Senator from Ohio) as vice-presidential candidate.

For his part, the current vice-president, Kamala Harris is racing with Tim Walz (Governor of Minnesota) as his running mate.

The 2024 elections take place in full swing a tight scene in which most polls failed to predict an outright winner.

After President Joe Biden resigned his candidacy on July 21, Harris was nominated by the Democratic Party to rival the Republican Party’s standard bearer .

From that moment on, the campaigns of the two candidates They made an effort to attract voters in key states, i.e. those who could define the outcome elections.

As the elections approach, Different musical artists expressed their support for the proposals of each candidate to head the White House in the following period.

The researcher dedicated to this field and author of the book Tracks on the Track: Popular Music, Race, and the American Presidency (University of Michigan Press, 2023), Ana Gorzelany-Mostak says the use of songs in American politics dates back to 19th century elections. .

According to the rescue CABLE at that moment brochures were shared with sing-along lyrics, written to promote the candidates .

More than a century later, Ronald Reagan used the classic Born in the United States by Bruce Springsteen for his re-election campaign in 1984.

At that time, the artist was topping the charts – his self-titled album was released in the middle of that year – and The Republican standard-bearer was aware that music could play a role in voters’ vision of him. .

An article published in The conversation Diane Winston, professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, recalls that Reagan suggested to an audience in September 1984 that he and Springsteen shared the same American dream. .

Three days later, during a concert in Pittsburgh, The musician referred to his version of this dream .

According to Winston, Springsteen said between songs: “At first the idea was that we would all live here kind of like a family in which the strong can help the weak, the rich can help the poor . You know, the American dream.

“I don’t think everyone was going to win a billion dollars, but rather everyone was going to have the opportunity and possibility to live a life with a certain decency and a certain dignity “.

Under the analysis of the academic, Springsteen and Reagan did not share the same vision of the American dream as the candidate at the time had proposed.

Actually, The latter promoted proposals including the reduction of social assistance .

And even the song Born in the United States He is a Vietnam veteran abandoned by the state. .

Over the yearsSpringsteen expressed support for Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden.

Likewise, in the context of 2024, expressed support for Kamala Harris .

But before discussing the artists who support each candidate in these elections, it is appropriate to recall episodes like the one where Democratic standard-bearer Bill Clinton appeared on television in June 1992, covering Hotel of Sorrow Elvis Presley on saxophone .

A few months later, In November, he would secure the presidential seat against Republican George HW Bush, who was seeking re-election to the White House.

Since then, The tendency of political candidates to be linked to musical artists has been expressed in different ways. .

Some of them are the creation of campaign songs, playlist themes and the organization of support concerts .

Even, In 2004, a music tour called Vote For Change was organized which in Spanish would translate to “vote for change”.

Although the organization officially presents itself as nonpartisan, several of the artists who participated in the tour They called for voting against then-President George W. Bush. who was running against Democrat John Kerry.

And even if some political representatives are not currently seeking a second term, Personalities like former President Obama regularly share their playlists .

The list of musical artists supporting Harris in the election is long .

These include names as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Eminem, Willie Nelson, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish Cardi B, Charli XCX, Cher, Foo Fighters, Jason Isbell, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony.

Madonna, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo also stand out Pink, Ricky Martin, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder and Don Omar, just to name a few.

One of the musical artists who has been most vocal in his support for Trump is Kid Rock. which occurred in July as part of the Republican National Convention, before the former president accepted his candidacy for office.

Likewise, among the names that expressed support are: Jason Aldean, Azealia Banks, Anuel AA, Justin Quiles, MIA, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Pump, in addition to historically Republican voters like Ted Nugent, among others.

Although different analysts suggest that the support of influential artists This does not necessarily mean that voting supporters will prefer a candidate, but it can help generate greater interest in the electoral scenario. .

This, in addition to attract certain segments to pay like young voters.

According to Gorzelany-Mostak in statements retrieved by CABLE, Musical elections are “identity elections” which allow candidates to position themselves and generate meeting points. with the voters.

On the other hand, in certain cases, Artists who express support for a candidate may find themselves facing criticism from those who follow opposing political thinking. .

Although some artists’ lyrics may be more explicitly interpreted towards one sector or another, There are artists who have chosen not to talk about politics strictly speaking in their concerts. .

One of them is precisely Bruce Springsteen, who supports Harris and Walz. for these presidential elections.

In a recent interview for a special ABC the composer explained why he hasn’t talked about politics on stage in recent years .

“People know where I stand in most cases, but I also wanted a space where people felt like they could come and be with their neighbor, regardless of their political views. particular at a given time.