Fortunately, "Livin' La Vida Loca" did not make Barack Obama's 2012 campaign playlist although the Ricky Martin number might have been apropos given the tumultuous times of his first term.
But another Martin song, "The Best Thing About Me Is You," did make the president's all-inclusive, demographically-friendly soundtrack for crowd events this political season.
In fact, the Puerto Rican pop star's abundantly-happy number is the sole Latino-influenced song on the list, now available on Spotify.
What? No Shakira? Where's Juanes? Ruben Blades? How about some Tejano for voters in the southwest? Calle 13? El Gran Combo?
"Lost your job? Your casa, as we slog through recovery?" Viviana Hurtado wrote in The Wise Latina Club. "From Puerto Rico (which won’t become the 51st state if Newt gets elected. The luna has that distinction) is El Gran Combo's Fiesta de Pilito, with eating lechon and pasteles, plus drinking some Bacardi as a temporary remedy to being on skid row."
New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones told Politico: "They haven't got a single Latino jam on there, other than Ricky Martin."
In another notable omission, there isn't a single rap song on the presidential song list, The Atlantic noted:
That's despite vocal support and occasional musical shoutouts from Jay-Z, Nas, and others; despite his own professed love for Lil Wayne; despite his invitation of Common to the White House; and despite K'Naan publicly offering the president use of his "Wavin' Flag" even as he asked Mitt Romney to stop using it. But rap is dangerous territory for a politician, liable to scare off older white voters and with lyrics often marred by casual sexism and talk of violence. After Common's appearance caused a kerfuffle, the Obama team is trying to tread carefully.
And what is the competition playing?
Mitt Romney's campaign likes Kid Rock's "Born Free" and country artist Toby Keith's "American Ride," which features the line: "Winter gettin' colder. Summer gettin' warmer. Tidal wave comin' 'cross the Mexican border," according to The Washington Post.
A tidal wave that sounds like the opposite of his infamous self-deportation proposal.
The Washinton Post added, "Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) blares "Independence Day," a tune about domestic violence and death-by-arson. Texas Rep. Ron Paul once took the stage to the menacing dum-dum-dum-dum-da-dum of Darth Vader's theme song. And former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.) sometimes uses no music at all: When his rallies end, an awkward silence descends."
Say no more.
What songs would you add?
HERE'S THE OBAMA PLAYLIST:
Obama's 2012 Playlist
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