Warm-up music mirrors candidate's message

NACOGDOCHES - The two hours preceding former President Bill Clinton's speech to students at Stephen F. Austin University sounded more like a rock concert warm-up than a political event.

Music selections were carefully choreographed and vetted to deliver a loud, high energy beat and a subliminal message in support of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.

While the Grammy-winning Dixie Chicks may be blackballed on Clear Channel radio stations and considered "musicians-non-grata" at the Bush White House, they crooned and harmonized "We Can Change the World."

That message juxtaposed transparently against one of the campaign buzz phrases repeated often by the former president: "Hillary is an agent of change."

A popular band from the 1970s, Earth, Wind and Fire, blasted their hit song, "Do You Remember," with a probable subliminal message referencing the economic stability of the eight Clinton years in the White House.

And the highly-political Irish rock band U2, which has taken strong stances on apartheid, hunger and third world debt in Africa, filled the room with "The City of Blinding Lights." The song was written after Sept. 11, 2001, when songwriter Bono found hope and inspiration from New York's bright skyline in the tragedy's aftermath.

Some may have dismissed the Monkees and "I'm A Believer" as trite, but bounce-back selections from Bruce Springsteen, Edgar Winter's "Lovely Day" and a cut from the Eagles' latest CD compensated for the playlist faux pas.

Too bad Mr. Clinton didn't take to heart the lyrics of "Taking Care of Business," the 1973 hit by Bachman Turner Overdrive - the last song played before he took the stage. Otherwise, he might not have arrived one hour late for his speech.

I browsed my iPOD library to see if there were suitable selections to recommend to political campaigns. Here's a list, in no particular order, of songs that probably won't be heard on the campaign trail:

• The Beatles on the White Album. "Don't Pass Me By."

• 3 Doors Down, "Going Down in Flames"

• Pete Townsend, "A Little Is Enough"

• Stone Temple Pilots, "Big Empty"

• Stevie Ray Vaughn, "Ask Me No Questions"

• Sting, "I've Been Down So Long"

As the campaigns enter the final lap in the delegate race, candidates may need a personal playlist outside of stump speeches to relax while traveling. To avoid a "19th Nervous Breakdown" (The Rolling Stones), just remember to "Breathe" (Pink Floyd).

Rock on.

-Terrie Gonzalez