Obama tells Blender U2 is number nine.
Blender Magazine, recently published the top ten song picks of US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
U2 didn’t make McCain’s list, but came in at number nine on Obama’s with “City of Blinding Lights,” which he uses frequently at his campaign appearances.
I’m not sure what is more disturbing—that McCain doesn’t list any U2 at all, or that he has two ABBA songs in his top five.
Erika said,
August 14, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Well, didn’t Bono duet with Sinatra on “I’ve Got You Under My Skin?” So there’s at least a U2 reference of sorts in McCain’s list. Or was that a different song? I don’t remember.
And it looks like COBL came in at 9, not 8, on Obama’s list.
Mike said,
August 14, 2008 @ 9:37 am
More disturbing? Abba… definitely Abba.
Tassoula said,
August 14, 2008 @ 11:53 am
Thanks Erika–my Obama source said 8 and for some reason that stuck in my head.
It’s corrected now.
u2search said,
August 14, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
What is wrong with ABBA? I’m a fan of theirs, and so is Bono
Sarah said,
August 14, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Yeah, ABBA is irresistibly catchy, but having TWO songs in your top ten!? Something is not right.
Soundbite said,
August 15, 2008 @ 4:17 am
Let McCain stay away from U2. His policies are far removed from anything U2 believes in or works for.
Sylvia said,
August 15, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Soundbite, I think you hit the nail on the head.
Elizabeth Mackey said,
August 17, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Hi I’m new to finding your blog, but new to @u2.com. Love that there is a blog! i’ll be back for more
keir said,
August 17, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
I’m appalled that neither campaign has chosen the Eurodisco of “Lemon” or “Discotheque” when expounding upon European affairs.
I’m similarly disappointed that neither campaign struts to the podium with a macho “Mofo” behind them when delivering a national security themed speech.
Or “Bad,” “Wire,” and “Running to Stand Still” when discussing the War On Drugs.
Or “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” when speaking to certain genders and demographics.
Or even, in fits of frustration, a chorus of “Acrobat” when plumbing their own dark nights of the soul on another soul-crushing campaign stop.
The ’90s U2 catalog is still getting the shaft, man. I just can’t believe it.
Edwardo said,
August 18, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Obama seems to be a bit of a poseur. His favorite U2 song just happens to be a safe single from their latest and safest album.
There was a feature on Rolling Stone a while back about what was on his Ipod. He was going on about what big fans he was of Springsteen and Dylan yet he had the most casual fan songs on there. And he bragged “I must have thirty Dylan songs on my ipod”. 30? Wow. Dylan has over thirty albums buddy. That’s like claiming to be a huge U2 fan but only knowing the songs Sweetest Thing and Beautiful Day.
Looks like there is no one to vote for this year.
Andrew MacPherson said,
August 19, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
I love Keir’s post…I am reimagining 90s politics with that sound track. It should be noted that even Bill Clinton was not known for his U2 musical picks (despite the fact that he seems to have become Bono since leaving the White House). I saw Clinton speak a couple of months ago and he came and left the stage to WTSHNN. Those 90s songs (and non-first 3 JT songs from the 80s) make me long for the pre-”applying to be the best band in the world” U2 that I orignally became a fan of.
That said Obama is the real thing not a poseur. The real question is whether America is ready for HIM.
Nicole said,
August 20, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
I agree with Soundbite.
Hold yer (wild) horses! said,
August 20, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
Sorry, Soundbite, et al - - have you heard McCain’s stance on DATA initiatives or are you just spouting the liberal platitudes?
‘Cause last I checked, George Bush wouldn’t necessarily be anyone’s top expectation to have ‘policies that U2 stands for/works toward,’ but that’s a wrong assumption, now isn’t it?
Unless you’ve had your head under a rock during all of the times Bono was criticised about having his picture taken with Bush or lauding his commitments/actions to the DATA initiatives, that is.
I hate it when people just say things that are critical without sound reason.