The Story of the 2008 Presidential Election in Song: A Playlist (Part 1)

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In honor of this Friday night's presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama (the first of three)—and my obsession with politics as full-contact sport—I've compiled the following playlist to tell the story of the 2008 election so far. Whether you're red, blue, independent or other, enjoy.

Part I: The Primaries

“Changes” - David Bowie

The Thin White Duke sings about what us young (and old) Americans want in Washington this year.

“The Rising” - Bruce Springsteen

Barack Obama surprises everyone by pulling off an upset in the Iowa Caucus and ascending to frontrunner status.

“Mutiny, I Promise You” - The New Pornographers

Ron Paul’s challenge to the republican mainstream during the primaries looked for a moment like it might pick up steam, but his coup quickly fizzled.

“Mama Said Knock You Out” - LL Cool J

Don’t call it a comeback folks, he’s been here for years. When John McCain returned from the brink to win the New Hampshire primary, he was “blastin’” and “outlastin’” his republican peers.

“Hope” - Twista feat. Faith Evans

A cornerstone of Obama’s campaign message.

“Johnny B. Goode” - Chuck Berry

McCain’s campaign song.

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”- Stevie Wonder

Obama’s campaign song.

“Get in the Ring” - Guns N’ Roses

Playing right into the cable-news media’s lazy, high-school-newspaper-style boxing metaphors, John McCain and Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton “take off the gloves” and "come out swinging," as the primaries go negative.

“Fairytale” - Sarah Bareilles

Peeved that his one-time frontrunner wife is now losing, Bill Clinton calls Obama’s opposition to the war in Iraq a “fairy tale.”

“Who Let the Dogs Out” - The Baha Men

The theme to candidate Mitt Romney’s hilariously awkward photo op.

“The Pusher” - Steppenwolf

Instead of asking God to "damn America," perhaps Rev. Wright could’ve taken a cue from Steppenwolf’s John Kay and damned something we can all agree on: dishonest drug dealers who “don’t care if you live or if you die.”

“The Hucklebuck” - Otis Redding

In honor of “likeable” Mike Huckabee, who started big with a win in Iowa and hung with McCain as long as he could during the republican primaries.

“Tabloid Reporter” - Peter Bruntnell

Picture an indignant John Edwards singing this song after being nailed by The National Enquirer for cheating on his wife.

“The Song That Doesn’t End” - Shari Lewis

Closely following this year’s democratic primaries felt a lot like listening to this tune from Lambchop’s Play-Along.

“Say it Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud), Pt. 1” - James Brown

Finally, after a hard-fought battle, comes the perfect celebratory anthem to commemorate America’s first nomination of a black presidential candidate.

“The Safety Dance” - Men Without Hats

Amidst rumors of Al Gore, Michael Bloomberg and republican Chuck Hagel being tapped, Obama plays it safe by choosing experienced, well-known senator Joe Biden as his running mate.

Click here to continue on to Part 2 (The Conventions/The General Election Begins)