Trump playlist at Aurora campaign rally eclectic
From campaign trail soundtracks, former President Donald Trump’s playlist at his rallies have always struck a chord.
Trump’s politics may be polarizing, but his music selection is eclectic.
His campaign played a mix of genres from country to pop, symphonic rock and R&B, folk and heavy metal music, even a gospel song by Elvis.
Here’s part of the playlist at Trump’s campaign stop in Aurora Friday:
• “Don’t Bring Me Down” by the Electric Light Orchestra.
• “Live and Let Die” by Guns N’ Roses.
• “Jump” by Van Halen.
• “Soul Man” by The Blues Brothers.
• “Jolene” by Dolly Parton.
• “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” by Frankie Valli and The Four Season.
• “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas.
Campaigns use popular music because it moves people.
Very few in the crowd did so Friday, until the DJ played “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People. The Y.M.C.A. dance is performed to the 1978 hit known for its simple synchronized arm movements that spell out the letters “Y,” “M,” “C,” “A.”
No one, though, rocked the zombie-like danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which features the famous “claw” hands and sharp, jerky movements.
During the chorus, attendees grooved and acted out the letters popularized by the disco group known for its gay themes. Rally attendees also wiggled to “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, a 1950s rock-n-roll singer songwriter nicknamed “The Killer” for his piano performances.
Julie Sigler, of Highlands Ranch, sang along with Pam Tillis’ 1991 hit, “Don’t Tell Me What to Do.”
“I think it’s a good playlist,” Sigler said.
Of the more than two dozen artists prominently featured during Trump’s rally, Elton John appears to have been the favorite. Campaign staff played at least five songs by John: “I’m Still Standing,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues.”
A good campaign playlist doesn’t just get people tapping their foot, it has also moved artists to criticize its use by politicians with whom they disagree.
Tom Morello with Rage Against the Machine, for example, famously wrote of former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan using of the group’s music: “Paul Ryan is the embodiment of the machine our music rages against.”
The artists who have complained about Trump using their music included Neil Young, Beyoncé, the Foo Fighters, ABBA and Celine Dion.
In 2016, when Trump was running his first campaign, Bruce Springsteen objected to the former president playing “Born in the USA.” Springsteen did not take legal action against Trump. He endorsed Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Despite all the artist complaints, lawsuits have been rare.
The way to prevent Trump from using an artist’s music typically starts with a cease-and-desist letter. If unsuccessful, then the artist must file a lawsuit.
If the campaign refuses to stop using the song, the artist may bring different claims — copyright or trademark infringement, for example.
A lawsuit against former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for using Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” — the anthem for Rocky III — in 2012 found a loophole by targeting small venues, not large ones.
Trump’s campaign also played “Eye of the Tiger,” prompting some of the rally goers to sing along with the chorus.
Trump has argued he has a blanket license under the fair use doctrine.
The final song on the playlist?
Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”






