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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