The Politics of Music

Or "Who do your favorite artists support"?

My how things have progressed over the last four years. I remember Bruce Springsteen being asked, regarding his support of John Kerry, "aren't you afraid you're going to piss some people off"? Springsteen, Bright Eyes, and several other artists toured the country to perform in support of Kerry. The Dixie Chicks made it clear that they were ashamed of George Bush, and were shunned by country radio. Springsteen' s still raking it in, and the Dixie Chicks still "aren't ready to make nice" but have regained their popularity.

Today, with Bush rated as the worst president ever, nobody in the music business thinks twice about vocalizing their political views. Michael Stipe (above) is an obvious Obama supporter. But if you are curious, as spinner.com was, here are some results for who's backing who. . .

Obama can count on:

Jay-Z , Pearl Jam, Usher, Dave Matthews, Michael Stipe, , Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Harry Connick Jr., Goo Goo Dolls, Kris Kristofferson, Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Morrissey, Jeff Tweedy, Macy Gray, Tom Scholz, Herbie Hancock, Babyface, The Cardigans, Bright Eyes, Third Eye Blind, Jill Sobule, Arrested Development.

Clinton fans include:

Madonna, The Wallflowers, KT Tunstall, Barbara Streisand, Vanessa Carlton, Cher, Janet Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, Tony Bennett, 50 Cent, Elvis Costello, Carole King, The Slits, Quincy Jones.