SONG LIST FOR SHILLARY

Most of my friends from the music biz are long gone and moved on to other endeavors. DWT correspondent Noah has hung in there. But he rarely takes his eyes off the ball and he noticed a candidate for president (of the United States... of America) looked for a song to symbolize her campaign and chose one-- a lame one at that-- from a Canadian artist. And not even a hip or insightful Canadian artist like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Barenaked Ladies or Alanis Morissette, but from a schlocky Las Vegas poseur, a kind of empty suit, something you might expect from... Mitt Romney. Noah's got an idea though; let's find our own song for Hillary or any of our favorite candidates. Here's Noah:

I couldn't help but gag this week at our psychophantic media's response to Hillary Clinton's "Select-O-Song" machinations in choosing a campaign theme song for her mega-cash dash to the White House. Just as they've spent years now kissing Dubya's butt, now the media hacks are marching along with the favorite of corporate board rooms across America. The Daily News in New York praised the video as "stunningly brilliant." Well, in a world where Paris Hilton can be called a recording artist, I suppose it's possible. I think everyone has, by now, seen the Clintons' ironic version of the last Sopranos scene. Is it more ironic than they know, or is it just an obvious comparison? After all, Bill has been spending a lot of time with godfather Daddy Bush these days.

The clip is a good example of well-orchestrated viral marketing. More and more politicians realize they need to use the Internet, however, this one is a fine example of how corporations and corporate types take something hip and cool and pollute it. I liken it to how, when a big pop recording artist comes out of nowhere, the record companies rush to imitate the success but that imitation always pales next to the real thing; sort of like the Beatles/Monkees thing, or, in the media world, when some lame-o like Chris Mathews or any other mainstream media hack starts up a blog on the network website in a pathetic attempt to be relevant. In any event, I've seen better video clips from high school kids.

Hillary's choice of a Celine Dion song is also a perfect match. Critics of Celine often refer to her as mechanical and bereft of true feeling. Hillary does, however, reveal a talent-- acting, but then, isn't she ALWAYS acting? She knows how to follow a script, no matter who might be writing it. It's also a laugh that the chosen Dion song, You And I was originally written for a COMMERCIAL. Not only that, it was a commercial for a CANADIAN company, Air Canada. Is this some sort of NAFTA thing? Whatever. Hillary? She's DEAD to me.

Lest anyone think I'm just all about spitting venom, I thought DownWithTyranny fans might find some humor and release in coming up with BETTER, more appropriate song selections for Shillary's campaign theme song; no need to limit it just to her either! So, I've decided to start a list of songs. Some even have brief explanations or key lyrics. Please feel free to contribute your own ideas. I'm sure we can come up with a very nice list, a whole box set's worth! My list follows.

The Who- Won't Get Fooled Again ("Meet the new boss, same as the old boss")
Bob Dylan- Positively 4th Street ("You've got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend," indeed!)
The Ramones- Beat On The Brat (a reference to Bill, perhaps?)
Alice Cooper- Elected or Billion Dollar Babies
Brite Eyes- When The President Talks To God
Neil Young- Just about anything from his most recent album.
Jackson Browne- Running On Empty
Midnight Oil- Read About It ("The rich get richer. The poor get the picture")
Romeo Void- Never Say Never ("I might like you better if we slept together")
Leonard Cohen- Chelsea Hotel #2 (The name of the hotel is mere coincidence. It's what happens at the hotel that may remind the listener of something.)
John Lennon- Cripple Inside or Gimme Some Truth
The Clash- Should I Stay, Or Should I go?
The Psychedelic Furs- President Gas (The title says it all.)
Cream- Politician
The Byrds- I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician ("and take over this land.")
Stevie Wonder- Big Brother
Phil Ochs- Love Me, I'm A Liberal
Woody Guthrie- Howdido!
Nick Lowe- Little Hitler

NOAH

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