DAILY DIRT: Some of our politicians’ ‘theme songs’ have been memorable, some have not
Daily Dirt for Friday, July 18, 2025
Personally, I think the best one-two music punch might have been Obama’s 2008 songs … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,346 of The Daily Dirt.
1. In recent years, more and more politicians have become linked to pop songs they incorporate into their campaigns or profile.
Currently, President Donald Trump has become synonymous with the Village People’s “YMCA,” and often offers a few dance steps while fist-pumping the air at his rallies and speeches while the song plays. During his 2024 campaign, Trump also employed “Hold On, I’m Comin'” by Sam and Dave.
The Don, however, is hardly the first to use threads of hit songs for attention-grabbing moments. Here’s a look back at more of politicians’ choices to provide the backdrops for their various programs (since 2000):
2024
Kamala Harris: “Freedom,” by Beyonce.
Ron DeSantis: “Only Here For a Little While,” by Billy Dean.
Nikki Haley: “Eye Of The Tiger,” by Survivor; “We Got The Beat,” by the Go-Gos;” “I Love Rock And Roll,” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Donald Trump: “Hold On, I’m Comin'” by Sam and Dave.
2020
Elizabeth Warren: “9 To 5,” by Dolly Parton.
Joe Biden: “We Take Care Of Our Own,” by Bruce Springsteen; “Higher and Higher,” by Jackie Wilson.
Bernie Sanders: “Power To The People,” by John Lennon.
Beto O’Rourke: “Clampdown,” by The Clash.
Pete Buttigieg: “High Hopes,” by Panic! At The Disco.
2016:
Donald Trump: “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood.
Hillary Clinton: “Fight Song,” by Rachel Platten.
Ted Cruz: “Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly,” by Aaron Tippin.
Rand Paul: “Revolution,” by the Beatles.
Bernie Sanders: “America,” by Paul Simon.
2012:
Mitt Romney: “Born Free,” by Kid Rock.
Barack Obama: “We Take Care Of Our Own,” by Bruce Springsteen.
2008:
Barack Obama: “Only In America,” by Brooks & Dunn; “Higher and Higher,” by Jackie Wilson.
John McCain: “Take A Chance On Me,” by ABBA.
Hillary Clinton: “American Girl,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Rudy Guilliani: “Life Is A Highway,” by Rascal Flatts.
Mike Huckabee: “More Than A Feeling,” by Boston.
2004
George W. Bush: “Only In America,” by Brooks & Dunn.
John Kerry: “Fortunate Son,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival; “Beautiful Day,” by U2.
2000
George W. Bush: “I Won’t Back Down,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; “Right Now,” by Van Halen.
Al Gore: “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive; “Sir Duke,” by Stevie Wonder.
1992
Bill Clinton: “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac
2. Did you know (Part 429)
- That the U.S. is ranked 139th in voter participation.
- That Jimmy Carter was the first president born in a hospital.
- That the White House’s first website went online in October 1994 during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
- That George Washington was the only president who did not represent a political party.
- That the first left-handed president was James Garfield, the 20th president.
3. There were no new medal-winners spotted in this week’s Great Plate Debate IV pursuit, but there were still plenty of interesting sightings across West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri:
- R FUN PNY
- HOWDYDO
- 4 DRT RD
- BIZKIT 1
- HOOTS 18
- PNUT 99
- ME AGN 2
- BZILLA 9
- TRUCKY
- RICE
The medal winners remain:
Gold medal: DR FUNN
Silver medal: U BABE 1
Bronze medal: TATTED
Steve Thought O’ The Day — Nikki Haley may not have made much of an impression during that 2024 presidential campaign, but she sure had some great music behind her.
Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Mitt Romney and Kid Rock don’t seem to match, but they are both originally from Michigan, although Romney was governor of Massachusetts and a senator from Utah.
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