But do the hopefuls genuinely like the genre or are they simply adapting themselves to court a larger audience?

Do politicians believe that their musical tastes will sway voters?

If modern political races are more about perception than policy, then it should be no surprise that 2016’s presidential hopefuls are brazenly attempting to shape their images with focus-grouped campaign soundtracks that vaguely communicate their demographic appeal with sociological soundbites. This year, politicians on both sides of the aisle are co-opting country music for their campaigns, thus putting the genre at the center of the nation’s forthcoming political battle.

We all know that politicians are like chameleons, adaptable to every situation thrown their way.  But sometimes, they just can't quite pull it off.

Hillary Clinton was actually the first candidate to use country music in the lead-up to this year’s race – or at least a Clinton-supporting Super Pac called Stand With Hillary was. In December, a music video also called Stand With Hillary appeared online. It was filmed just north of Los Angeles, but made to look like it was shot in America’s rural heartland, and it featured actor Tobias Jones as a cowboy-hatted farmer crooning lines like, “Guys, put your boots on, and let’s smash this ceiling!” The clip drew endless mockery from the media, and it was pulled off YouTube after garnering hundreds of thousands of views. Of course, as we all know, though, nothing really dies online these days.

Ted Cruz has long aligned himself with country music and seems to have an emotional connection.

Country music came up again in the early days of Ted Cruz’s campaign. In an interview with CBS This Morning, Cruz remarked that he admired country music’s response to 9/11, which included understandably angry response songs like Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue and Daryl Worley’s Have You Forgotten? “I had an emotional reaction that said, ‘These are my people,’” Cruz said. “So ever since 2001, I listen to country music.” His statement was majorly magnified when Ebony.com senior editor Jamilah Lemieux appeared on MSNBC and mocked, “Nothing says let’s go kill some Muslims like country music.” Her comment caused uproar, and the network apologized.

Of course, Hillary is not the only politician who missed the mark.  Often, their attempts at seeming down-to-earth come off as lame and, frankly, trying too hard.  Sometimes, they even insert themselves into the song they use.

Last week, Rick Perry announced at a rally that he was joining the crowded field of Republican candidates, but it was the song that played during his entrance that stole a disproportionate amount of attention following the event. Pundits noticed that Perry walked onstage to a reworked version of country rapper Colt Ford’s Answer to No One, with lyrics that began, “Rick Perry supporter/let’s protect our border,” and continued, “Take my job but not my guns”.

For example, here is the video that highlights Hillary Clinton as a 2016 hopeful Presidential Candidate.

Check it out!

Music will always play a part with modern politics, but are the politicians connecting with their intended audience?  Are their obvious attempts missing the mark?

Tell Us About It!

This Article Was Adapted From: The Guardian