Here’s the Music Candidates are Rocking Out to on the Trail

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I was supposed to be writing a wrap-up piece about the South Carolina Republican primary this afternoon, but an attack of writers’ block led me to more inspiring territory: the compilation of the (mostly) complete music playlists of every candidate I’ve seen speak over the last two weeks, in New Hampshire and now South Carolina. Shazam: It’s every political reporter’s best friend.

This list is incomplete, and can change a lot depending on the candidate’s audience or the whims of the artist (heaven forbid Rachel Platten decides to endorse Bernie Sanders). I don’t ascribe any deeper meaning to these musical selections either, although suffice it to say there is a pretty big difference between Sanders and Hillary Clinton, and for that matter, between Donald Trump and everyone else.

See for yourself.

Hillary Clinton:

  • Jill Scott, “Run, Run, Run”
  • Mary J. Blige, “Real Love”
  • Katy Perry, “Roar”
  • Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger”
  • American Authors, “Best Day of My Life”
  • Bon Jovi, “We Weren’t Born to Follow”
  • Pharrell, “Happy”
  • Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”

Bernie Sanders:

  • Simon and Garfunkel, “America”
  • Janelle Monae, “Tightrope”
  • Pearl Jam, “Lightning Bolt”
  • Bob Marley, “Revolution”
  • Disco Infernor, “The trammps”
  • Muse, “Uprising”
  • John Lennon, “Power to the People!”
  • Tracy Chapman, “Talkin’ bout a Revolution”
  • Steve Earle, “The Revolution Starts Now”
  • Neil Young, “Rockin’ the Free World”

John Kasich:

  • Florida Georgia Line, “Round Here”
  • Zak Brown Band, “Jump Right In”
  • Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
  • Jake Owen, “Anywhere With You”
  • Diekes Bentley, “Free & Easy”
  • Rodney Atkins, “It’s America”
  • John Fogerty, “Centerfield”
  • Eric Paslay, “Friday Night”

Marco Rubio:

  • Kid Rock, “Born Free”
  • Montgomery Gentry, “This is My Town”
  • Darius Rucker, “Homegrown Honey”
  • MercyMe, “Greater”
  • Eric Church, “Springsteen”

Donald Trump:

  • Elton John, “Tiny Dancer”
  • The Beatles, “Hey Jude”
  • The Beatles, “Revolution”
  • Rolling Stones, “Can’t Always Get What You Want”
  • Rolling Stone, “Sympathy for the Devil”
  • Rolling Stone, “Brown sugar”
  • Adele, “Rolling in the deep”*
  • Twisted Sister, “We’re not Gonna Take It”
  • Danude, “Sandstorm”

Jeb Bush:

  • Of Monsters and Men, “Dirty Paws”
  • Blake Shelton, “Hillbilly Bone”
  • Billy Currington, “That’s How Country Boys Roll”

Ted Cruz:

*Pulled at request of the artist.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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