Lesson Plan: Music & Political Rallies

Rationale: Many students might have trouble seeing how music plays a role in modern day politics. While it is fairly clear how some governments have gone to extremes to influence the role of music in their countries (i.e. Nazi Germany, or modern day China), it might be more difficult to see the relationship between popular music and modern American Politics. By looking at how and why political candidates use popular music to appeal to certain audiences, students will be able to see how songs are, "actively being taken and given additional meanings," and are, "connected with a very particular political ideology and social agenda" (Negus, 195).

Objective: Students will understand and demonstrate the ways that music is given new meanings based on their context, and how they are used by politicians as a persuasive technique.

1) Students will find a credible source that explains some of the basic tenants of modern day republicanism as well as democracy. What are some of the stereotypes about Republicans and Democrats? Where do they stand on issues such as poverty, finance, the role of science, the role of government and religion? What are some criticisms of these groups and their respective ideologies? Then, as a class, we will make a master list on the board to help students to look at these differences.

2) John McCain used John Mellencamp's song "Our Country," during some of his political rallies when he was running for President in 2008. John Mellencamp's representatives asked the McCain campaign to STOP using the song. In class we'll listen to the song, and then students will examine the lyrics. (We may also look at Chevy's use of the song in its advertising. Who is this ad's target audience?) Who might McCain be trying to appeal to by choosing to use this song? What parts of the song seem to be in line with republican ideas and/or stereotypes? Are there parts of this song that seem to go against any of these ideals and/or stereotypes? In light of this, why might he have chosen to use this song? Should artists even have a say in who can use their songs and can't?

"Our Country" John Mellencamp
Well I can stand beside
Ideals I think are right
And I can stand beside
The idea to stand and fight
I do believe
There's a dream for everyone
This is our country

There's room enough here
For science to live
And there's room enough here
For religion to forgive
And try to understand
All the people of this land
This is our country

From the east coast
To the west coast
Down the Dixie Highway
Back home
This is our country

That poverty could be
Just another ugly thing
And bigotry would be
Seen only as obscene
And the ones that run this land
Help the poor and common man
This is our country

From the east coast
To the west coast
Down the Dixie Highway
Back home
This is our country

The dream is still alive
Some day it will come true
And this country it belongs
To folks like me and you
So let the voice of freedom
Sing out through this land
This is our country

From the east coast
To the west coast
Down the Dixie Highway
Back home
This is our country

From the east coast
To the west coast
Down the Dixie Highway
Back home
This is our country

For homework, students will find a song from their own collections, or from the radio, that would be appropriate for use in a political rally for a current political figure of their choice. In addition to considering the tone of the song, students will also print out the lyrics and analyze them for specific lines that are relevant for the goals of the candidate and his or her party. Next, they will write a short letter to the candidate explaining why a particular song would be an appropriate choice for their next political rally.

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Depending on time and how in depth the teacher wants to go with this issue...
In addition to looking at McCain's use of music at rallies, students could also examine Barack Obama's use of the Stevie Wonder song, "Sign, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," and the ways that the original meaning of the song (a love song between two people) is changed to represent the needs of democrats (their return to power, democrats love for the American People).

Like a fool I went and stayed too long
Now I'm wondering if your loves still strong
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, Im yours

Then that time I went and said goodbye
Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, Im yours

Here I am baby
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed delivered, Im yours)

Here I am baby,
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed, delivered, Im yours)

Ive done a lot of foolish things
That I really didn't mean
Hey, hey, yea, yea, didn't i, oh baby

Seen a lot of things in this old world
When I touched them they did nothing, girl
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours, oh I'm yours

Oo-wee babe you set my soul on fire
That's why I know you are my only desire
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours

Here I am baby
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed delivered, Im yours)

Here I am baby,
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed, delivered, Im yours)

Ive done a lot of foolish things
That I really didn't mean
I could be a broken man but here I am

With your future, got your future babe (here I am baby)
Here I am baby (signed, sealed delivered, Im yours)
Here I am baby, (here I am baby)
Here I am baby (signed, sealed delivered, Im yours)
Here I am baby, (here I am baby)
Here I am baby (signed, sealed delivered, Im yours)