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MIXTAPE: Inauguration Day
As a proud citizen--and music blogger--of this country, I felt it was my civic duty to craft President Barack Obama an Inauguration Day mixtape. In between all the various ceremonies going on today, I thought our new President might want to relax for a second by listening to a Presidential playlist I created especially him. I kept it to a 10-song minimum, just so I wouldn't take up too much of his time on this very important day: (left: President Barack Obama receives his first Presidential mixtape.)...
As a proud citizen–and music blogger–of this country, I felt it was my civic duty to craft President Barack Obama an Inauguration Day mixtape. In between all the various ceremonies going on today, I thought our new President might want to relax for a second by listening to a Presidential playlist I created especially him. I kept it to a 10-song minimum, just so I wouldn’t take up too much of his time on this very important day:
(left: President Barack Obama receives his first Presidential mixtape.)
1. “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“
I thought a little AC/DC would be a good start to the President’s morning. Because “Barack” rhymes with “rock,” you can have fun rewording various song titles to fit with the President’s first name (“Planet Barack,” “We Will Barack You,” “Barack Around The Clock”)–this one included.
2. “I Can,” Nas
I know I can, be what I want to be. If I work hard at it, I’ll be where I want to be. President Obama may want to think about taking Nas onboard to be one of his speechwriters. This song is right down Obama’s wheelhouse.
3. “Basketball,” Kurtis Blow
For a President who loves basketball, this track is a mixtape necessity.
4. “At Last,” Etta James
I’ve used this on various playlists before, but it seems appropriate for the occasion, especially since Beyonce will be singing the song during Barack and Michelle Obama’s first Presidential dance.
5. “Dear Mr. President,” 4 Non Blondes
The best 4 Non Blondes song that isn’t called, “What’s Up?”
6. “Believe,” The Chemical Brothers
This song will turn the Inauguration Dance into a full-blown rave!
7. “Changes,” David Bowie
If you’re going to talk about “change,” this ain’t a bad song to be rockin’ on your Presidential iPod.
8. “On The Verge,” Le Tigre
Very appropriate message on this one, but really, I just thought it would be awesome if I could get the President into Le Tigre (who have been championing the removal of George Bush from the White House for years).
9. “True Believers,” The Bouncing Souls
Every Inauguration Day mix needs some punk rock. This song goes out to all of the volunteers and voters who got Barack to the next level.
10. “We Are The Champions,” Queen
Cliché? Sure, but imagine this song being blasted at the Inauguration–everyone standing with their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders, singing in jubilant unison, “We are the champions my friends, and we’ll keep on fighting till the end!” If we, as Americans, could translate this into our everyday lives, wouldn’t our country be an amazing place (for everyone)?
