Re-election: Obama Changes Music

Barack Obama changes his music. The president sings: “Let’s stay together, whether times are good or bad, happy or sad.” Yes: “Let’s Stay Together,” like Al Green would sing. New challenge and new compilation: After all, this is change, too. Not exactly the change he promised, but a change, anyway.

Do you remember four years ago? “Yes, We Can” was the name of the song compilation for the most unpredictable American electoral campaign. And the music was obviously all addressed to change and hope. John Mayer sang: “Waiting on the World to Change.” Ozomatli added “Love and Hope” to it. Buddy Miller sang the blues: “Wide River to Cross.”

Well, Mose’–Barack actually stopped in the middle of the walk across that big river. But doesn’t even Clint Eastwood say that it’s only halftime in the Super Bowl commercial?

So, Obama changes his music. And in the soundtrack for the re-election campaign, just made public, there’s the change. The great Bruce Springsteen naturally couldn’t be missing. But he’s no longer the boss of “Born to Run.” We might be born to run, but this is the time to stop and roll up our sleeves and keep up the work we have started. The chosen anthem is “We Take Care of Our Own”: We can take care of ourselves. The moderates attracted to the minimal state promised by Republicans will certainly like this slogan.

Obama’s change could already be heard a few days ago. And to present the new musical course, the president couldn’t have chosen a better place: the Apollo Theater in New York. Right during a fundraiser in the legendary theater of black music, Obama surprisingly performed by singing “Let’s Stay Together.”

The song is one of the most famous hits of black music, but it’s also the least “colored.” The year is 1971. It’s the same year when the great Marvin Gaye asks — between social rage (“Inner City Blues”) and ecological conscience (“Mercy Mercy Me”), in the world that is about to be shaken by the first oil shock — “What’s Going On,” in the first all-black concept album.

But it’s another kind of music for Al Green. Let’s love one another. Let’s get over difficulties. Why hurt ourselves? “Let’s Stay Together” is one of the softest songs in history. Even our Fabio Volo put it at the top of his choices in “Il volo,” the compilation he debuted as a disc jockey seven years ago: No choice is softer than this.

The soundtrack choice, you know, is essential in every electoral campaign. Think of “Forza Italia” and how it drummed into the ears of the Italians: There’s a reason why it was written by the maestro Augusto Martelli between the signature tune of “Casa Vianello” and a Cristina D’Avena hit. Can you imagine Obama’s new deal escaping our current experts’ screen? There’s someone who was also disturbed: the director of the music bible, Billboard.

Bill Werde said: “Four years ago this guy was riding this crescendo of hope, things seemed like they couldn’t be worse in the country and the music he chose really fit with that. [Now] It’s less fresh-faced optimism and it’s more pragmatic positioning of a politician who wants a second term.”

Without, God forbid, looking back: It’s not true that it was better when it was worse. “No nostalgia,” by AgesandAges, seems made for this. And, God forbid, without giving up the need to get indignant: “Raise Up,” like Ledisi sings. And then, the great classics.

The most joyful in the world is Earth, Wind & Fire’s [version of The Beatles’] “Got to Get You into My Life.” And the unfailing U2, always in the super joyful version: “Even Better Than the Real Thing.” All the way to the nod to South Carolina friends who in September will host the convention that will re-crown Super Barack: Here comes James Taylor, the singer of “Carolina in My Mind,” performing the classic “Your Smiling Face.”

You won’t listen to the new Obama only during electoral rallies. Four years ago, it was still the era of compact discs. This time, the more updated president instead chose the global jukebox Spotify to present his compilation.

This is enough to make his rival Mitt Romney’s efforts fade. After trying to imitate the singing president by performing the super patriotic “America the Beautiful” in Florida, he keeps on pumping country music at every meeting in the world. And then, Kid Rock’s “Born Free,” which would be his freedom anthem, just because the singer, who is a fervent Republican, is one of few who allowed him to use his song.

With “Survivor” (those of Rocky-Stallone’s “Eye of the Tiger”) out, the best bands said no to the Republican candidates. Forget “Let’s Stay Together.” Sing alone.