Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Episode Summary: Orchestrating Elections: Political Campaign Songs

Release Date: March 15, 2025
Host: Terry O'Reilly
Network: Apostrophe Podcast Network

Introduction to the Power of Music

Terry O'Reilly opens the episode by drawing parallels between the historical use of martial music in warfare and its strategic application in political campaigns. He emphasizes music’s profound ability to influence emotions, unify crowds, and embed memorable messages in the minds of the public.

Historical Foundations of Martial Music

O'Reilly delves into the rich history of martial music, highlighting how instruments like bagpipes, drums, and trumpets have been pivotal in motivating and organizing soldiers on the battlefield.

• Bagpipes in Battle: Dating back to 1366 in Scotland, bagpipes, often referred to as "war pipes," were instrumental in boosting morale during intense combat situations.

  “The main goal of bagpipes was to inspire men and women in the midst of a battle, convincing soldiers not to give up when the war was at its most difficult.” [05:30]

• Drums and Trumpets: From the Ottoman Empire's timpani drums to the US Cavalry's bugle calls, percussion instruments played crucial roles in signaling maneuvers and sustaining troop morale.

  “The piercing sound of a trumpet could be heard over the deafening noises of warfare, effectively communicating commands amidst chaos.” [07:15]

Transition to Political Campaign Songs

Drawing a parallel between military conflicts and electoral battles, O'Reilly explores how politicians have long harnessed the emotive power of music to galvanize support and convey their messages.

• Early Political Jingles: Starting with George Washington’s 1789 campaign song, music has been integral in political messaging.

  “A slogan set to music is an earworm, and repeated exposure to a jingle in commercials embeds the theme in people's minds.” [12:45]

Notable Historical Examples

O'Reilly provides a chronological overview of significant political campaign songs, illustrating their evolution and impact.

• William Howard Taft (1909):

  “Through storm and sea to victory is William Howard Taft.”
  The Taft campaign utilized animated jingles co-produced by Roy O. Disney, marking the intersection of Hollywood and politics. [14:20]

• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1952 & 1956):
  Collaborating with composer Irving Berlin, Eisenhower’s campaigns featured memorable jingles like “I like Ike,” which emphasized his leadership qualities.

  “I like Ike. Everybody likes Ike for president.” [17:05]

• John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon (1960):
  Featuring two distinct campaign songs, Kennedy’s jingles highlighted his youth and optimism, while leveraging the star power of Frank Sinatra’s retooled “High Hopes.”

  “The Kennedy jingle not only made great use of repetition but also played on Kennedy's greatest strength, his youth and optimism.” [21:40]

• Ronald Reagan (1984):
  Reagan’s use of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” backfired when it became clear the song’s lyrics were misconstrued, highlighting the risks of misaligned musical selections.

  “No one in the Reagan camp had really listened to the lyrics, which were actually a criticism of the way the country has treated its Vietnam vets.” [35:50]

• Bill Clinton and John McCain:
  Clinton employed Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” to inspire voters with a forward-looking message, while McCain favored ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me,” reflecting personal musical tastes.

  “Fleetwood Mac's lyric 'don't stop thinking about tomorrow' captured the promise of the future.” [40:30]

Canadian Political Campaigns

Shifting focus to Canada, O'Reilly discusses how Canadian politicians have uniquely incorporated music into their campaigns, often diverging from the long-standing American traditions.

• Ed Broadbent (2004):
  Broadbent’s unexpected rap video, “Guess Who’s Back,” resonated with voters and demonstrated the versatility of campaign music in engaging different demographics.

  “His campaign office said the hits on their website went through the roof. It was downloaded as many times as the party's platform.” [26:15]

• Doug Ford and Andrew Scheer:
  Both leaders utilized original campaign songs tailored to their party’s messages, with Scheer partnering with renowned songwriter Jim Vallance for his 2019 conservative campaign anthem.

  “It's time for you to get ahead. It's your choice, let's hear your voice.” [29:50]

The Psychological and Social Impact of Music in Campaigns

O'Reilly explores the neurobiological underpinnings of why music is so effective in political settings, emphasizing its role in emotional regulation and social bonding.

• Emotional Engagement:
  Music can elevate energy levels, foster a sense of community, and make political messages more relatable and memorable.

  “Music not only keeps crowds at an emotional pitch, but it also releases feel-good chemicals that enhance social bonding.” [44:00]

• Memorability and Repetition:
  Repeated exposure to campaign songs can reinforce slogans and create lasting associations between the music and the candidate’s platform.

  “A slogan set to music is an earworm, and repeated exposure to a jingle in commercials embeds the theme in people's minds.” [51:20]

Challenges and Controversies

While music can be a powerful tool, O'Reilly highlights instances where its use has backfired or led to controversies.

• Misuse of Songs:
  Politicians sometimes select songs without fully understanding their lyrics, leading to unintended messages.

  “Many times, politicians are only interested in a section of a song, not the entire song, which can make their choices dicey.” [37:40]

• Artist Objections:
  High-profile artists have occasionally objected to their music being used in political campaigns, citing misalignment with their intentions or messages.

  “Artists like Abba, Beyoncé, and Bruce Springsteen have explicitly asked political figures like Donald Trump to stop using their songs at rallies.” [43:10]

Modern Trends and Adaptations

O'Reilly notes the evolving landscape of campaign music in the digital age, where social media and streaming platforms amplify the reach and impact of campaign songs.

• Pop Song Adaptations:
  Modern campaigns increasingly adapt popular songs to fit their messages, aiming to tap into existing fan bases and cultural relevance. Bernie Sanders’ use of John Lennon’s “Power to the People” is a pertinent example.

  “Bernie Sanders has often borrowed a leaf from John Lennon for his campaign song 'Using Power to the People.'” [39:50]

• Original Compositions:
  Some campaigns opt for bespoke compositions to ensure alignment with their unique messaging and to avoid the pitfalls of misappropriating existing songs. For instance, New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh’s choice of Bungee Garland’s “Differentology.”

  “Jagmeet Singh chose a song that not only resonated with his message but also engaged the crowd by encouraging participation during the chorus.” [31:45]

Conclusion: Music as the Communal Glue in Political Campaigns

Terry O'Reilly wraps up by reaffirming the indispensable role of music in political campaigns. He underscores how music serves as a bridge between candidates and voters, fostering emotional connections and reinforcing key messages.

“Music is part of the communal glue, and as every politician knows, a powerful song sure does make for a great walk-on moment when you're under the influence.” [55:30]

By encapsulating slogans within catchy tunes and setting the emotional tone of campaigns, music remains a timeless tool in the arsenal of political strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Historical Significance: Music has long been used to motivate and unify, both in warfare and political campaigns.
• Strategic Messaging: Campaign songs effectively embed slogans and messages in voters’ minds through repetition and emotional resonance.
• Cultural Adaptation: Political campaigns have evolved with technological advancements, leveraging television, radio, and digital platforms to amplify their musical messages.
• Challenges: Misaligned song choices and artist objections highlight the complexities of integrating music into political messaging.
• Emotional and Social Impact: Music fosters emotional engagement and social cohesion, making it a powerful tool for rallying support and building community among voters.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “The main goal of bagpipes was to inspire men and women in the midst of a battle...” [05:30]
• “I like Ike. Everybody likes Ike for president.” [17:05]
• “A slogan set to music is an earworm, and repeated exposure to a jingle in commercials embeds the theme in people's minds.” [12:45]
• “Music not only keeps crowds at an emotional pitch, but it also releases feel-good chemicals that enhance social bonding.” [44:00]
• “Many times, politicians are only interested in a section of a song, not the entire song, which can make their choices dicey.” [37:40]
• “Music is part of the communal glue, and as every politician knows, a powerful song sure does make for a great walk-on moment when you're under the influence.” [55:30]

This episode of Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between music and political campaigns. Through historical anecdotes, psychological insights, and contemporary examples, O'Reilly illuminates how melodies and lyrics have shaped electoral outcomes and continue to be a cornerstone of political strategy.