Songs

American Idols All

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The similarities between this year’s Republican primary competition and “reality” TV are striking. The candidates have appeared together almost weekly, sometimes every couple of days. They have been together so much the nerves started to fray long ago. They’ve been forced to compete with one another on specific assigned topics like jobs, taxes, government regulation, super-patriotism, and now we’ve reached the stage where a competitor is dropped after every gathering. They have petty gripes with one another and their spats and resentments make headlines. We’re down to four now.

Who will be The Survivor? The smart money is still on Mitt Romney, who is already looking ahead to the next contest with Barack Obama.

How will the next show shape up with these two contestants? We got a hint in Iowa and New Hampshire, when Romney fell into a lyrics-reciting phase at campaign stops. Just like prime time TV, whatever gimmick gets a positive reaction from the audience will be repeated. He did this a lot.

Well, you know where this is going, don’t you?
Obama sees it, and he laid down his marker this week.

http://youtu.be/y6uHR90Sq6k

Do you think Mitt Romney has already had his first private singing lesson? I say he has. He’d better start, because he has a lot of catching up to do. Stephen Colbert is on the campaign trail now, and he can sing harmony on The Star Spangled Banner.

Yes, no matter who winds up running, this year’s presidential election will end in a sing-off! It’s obvious. America loves music and even people who don’t vote are fixated on songs. The template was well established with American Idol. Sorting through political issues is boring and hard. Caring about good governance requires time and thought. But deciding who is the best singer is fun, and we can judge it totally on emotion. There is no wrong or right – it’s all about how the singer makes you feel! Style has officially demolished substance – now it’s time for a victory lap. Get ready for the Obama-Romney-Colbert sing-off! When will we get the first Karaoke-Debate? I say it will happen by August.

What song would you sing to get votes?

58 thoughts on “American Idols All”

  1. I think I’d start out with Carla Sciaky’s Everybody’s Strange But Me, on the theory that the best defense is a good offense.

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  2. i think i’d do the Rock and Egg song – – in an all out attempt to lose.
    interesting and depressing concept, Dale. where’s the crabby guy? what’s his name? the crewcut Brit who skewers everyone? although i wouldn’t want him to pick our President either.
    ‘morning, All. off to a busy day here.

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    1. Or, sung in a very sarcastic tone, Janis Joplin’s song that starts Oh lord, wouldn’ ya buy me a color TV.

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  3. Good morning to all. The best one I can think of is Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind. Many years ago, at another kind of political rally, the first song that came to mind that everyone knew was Dylan’s Everybody Must Get Stoned. Dylan’s songs probably would not be the right choices to get me elected. Maybe I should pick This Land is Our Land which might have wider appeal.

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    1. I’d sing my questionable harmony with you on “This Land is Your Land”…including all the subversive verses about trespassing and relief for the poor. šŸ™‚

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  6. My husband says he would sing the Lutheran hymn “The world is about to turn” which is sung to the tune ” The Star of the County Down”. I’m still thinking.

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  8. I have long said that I would only do karaoke if Ethel Merman was available on the machine…so here’s my choice, which seems appropriate for the theatrics and bombast of the campaign trail:

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    2. The woman can sure belt out a tune — she’s incomparable. I’m trying to think if I’ve ever heard her do a quiet, intimate song.

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      3. Well, if we can have Proud Mary, there’s always “Big Legged Mama’s are Back in Style” by Taj Mahal. That song would appeal to lots of voters..

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  9. Then there is the number from Fiorello “Politics and Poker.” I wish I could figure out how to transfer the you tube video here. Perhaps some tech savvy Baboon could help?

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  11. The possibilities are endless! “If I had a Hammer” is spirited and easy to sing along on. Randy Newman’s “Sail Away,” is another possibility. But I’m feeling a bit feisty this morning, so this is what I’ll go with for now:

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  12. I love to sing, used to be a band director, and can carry a tune if given a large enough bucket. But the song has yet to be written that could inspire me to sing for votes.

    If ever I were to run for political office, I wouldn’t beg anyone for votes in any way. I’d merely state my positions, point out the fallacies in my opponents’ positions, and let the voters decide … which is why you will never see me in an elected office. šŸ™‚ (Thank goodness!)

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  15. If I were to sing so much as a note, I’d plummet to the bottom of the poles. But let’s pretend I can sing without making people lose their lunches. I think my song would be “America the Beautiful.”

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  16. This is completely “off-topic”, but I wanted to share that yesterday I got another clean PET scan!!
    The doctor said that my odds of survival have gone from 8% a year ago to 50% at this point, so I’m one lucky lady.

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      1. I’ve heard them perform that live; that really takes guts for just three voices. Sorry I missed Suzzy Roche’s reading at The Loft on Friday evening which tim graciously had invited to. Thanks for the review of the event, Linda, I appreciate it. Pet emergency, now happily resolved, I hope.

        OT – spent this evening at The Celtic Junction for the 60th birthday celebration for two good friends. What a blast. Lots of music and dancing, good conversation and a diverse group of friends intersecting. Very fun; satisfied mind.

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      2. When I watched the video something seemed just slightly wrong about it. Then I realized in my mind’s eye I always see the Roches with Terre on the left and Maggie on the right. In this video they’ve swapped spots for some reason.

        Here’s another song from the same performance, but they’re all in their proper places – this song has been a favorite of mine for a long time, although I’m not sure it would inspire any voters:

        It’s not often you go to a reading and the author brings a guitar and sings a few for you. Very memorable experience. Thanks for the invitation, tim.

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  17. Man I love “music day” here. There’s something nagging at the back of my brain, be back later when I think of it.

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  19. I’m really experiencing a lot of problems with my computer. It keeps crashing every time I post and won’t allow me to view the YouTube things. It might have a virus and I sure don’t want to give it to anybody, so….

    In the interest of being brief, I’m like BiB, but I’d sing the “Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise” song. I’d lose the election instantly!

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