Barack Obama has, ever since he ented the presidential race, inspired millions of new voters. Not for decades has there been a presidential candidate who inspired so much (positive) music to be written. Here's a look at some popular and obscure pro-Obama political songs. (see also rap songs about Obama.)
Neil Young was a little more ahead of the game. This tune, from 2006's
Living With War CD wasn't expressly written for or about Barack Obama, but it certainly gave him a shout out. Before the senator from Illinois had announced his presidential bid, even Young was looking forward to the possibility.
Probably the most popular song written for Barack Obama, will.i.am's "Yes We Can" hit the internet early on in the primary season. Featuring stars of film and music, the song put Obama's memorable "Yes We Can" speech to music, effectively emphasizing the words that much more.
This anti-folk tune likens the candidate favored by students and activists in the 2008 election to that of 2004. The difference, of course, is that Howard Dean didn't become the nominee, whereas Obama's grass roots coalition proved a little more fruitful.
Palovcik's tongue-in-cheek, quasi-love song paid tribute to Obama's home state of Illinois, and has since become somewhat of an allegory for his presidential bid. Like many of Obama's supporters, Palovcik was clearly looking forward to his run before it even began. She placed the song on her 2008 EP,
Changes, which she composed after hearing Obama speak.
One of the most popular songs inspired by Barack Obama's candidacy, Coco Tea's aptly titled "Barack Obama" is a catchy, dancey reggae tune paying tribute to the candidate's historic run for presidency. Of course, as
World Music Guide Megan Romer noted, Cocoa Tea isn't an American citizen, so he can't cast his vote in November. Obviously, he's hoping his music can inspire state-side fans to choose Obama.
