Presidential Songs: George Washington

To Americans of his time, George Washington embodied the American Revolution. He led the nation to victory over the British in the Revolutionary War and his mere presence was all that held the country together during the 1780s and 1790s. No song captured the revolutionary spirit like "Yankee Doodle". It became the anthem for the revolutionary generation. If campaign songs were en vogue in 1789, then Washington might have used "Yankee Doodle".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HOc9WVZbts

Presidential Songs: Barack Obama

Barack Obama admits to having varied musical tastes. He likes everything from Bruce Springsteen to Lil Wayne. During his presidential campaign, he adopted a U2 song for his theme. When he announced his candidacy, "City of Blinding Lights" blared over the crowd.

City of Blinding Lights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCqii5Po_s

Bruce Springsteen was inspired by the Obama campaign and wrote "Working on a Dream":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZMfPXgd_M

On a humorous note, Obama and the Mayor of Las Vegas engaged in a bit of a spat. In honor of that, here's Elvis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw

Presidential Songs: George W. Bush

George W. Bush did not have an official campaign song. However, on the night of the 2000 election, one clever staffer decided to play "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who to represent the defeat of the Clinton order.

Won't Get Fooled Again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE

The Bush 43 Administration proved one of the more controversial in history. Perhaps the most controversial decision of the entire period came in 2003. That year, the United States resumed offensive military operations in Iraq. Although Bush did not have a campaign song for 2004, cynics might have chosen this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVyVIsvQoaE

Presidential Songs: George H.W. Bush

President Bush #41 did not really have a campaign song, but here are a couple of things that might fit...

Hard Times (Kinda catchy!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhYIky4XZx0

Presidential Songs: Ronald Reagan

President Reagan did not have any real campaign songs. He did try to use John Mellencamp's "Pink Houses," but the artist protested. Mellencamp vehemently opposed Reagan's policies.

Pink Houses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfkpu6749w&ob=av2e

Since Reagan is credited with ending the Cold War, perhaps this would have been a better Mellencamp selection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErUiAyVoGc

Presidential Songs: Jimmy Carter

People questioned whether the government could be competent and honest. Well, Jimmy Carter says yes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h874BPSnbWc

Of course the song that best fits the Carter years is by Gloria Gaynor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I

Presidential Songs: Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford captained the University of Michigan football team winning two national titles. Forty years later, he became president. Instead of "Hail to the Chief", the marine band often played "Hail to the Victors."

The Victors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnkOkraJXK4

Ford at U-M:

http://mvictors.com/?p=179

Presidential Theme Songs: Richard Nixon

In real life: Nixon Now!

A rousing early seventies pop sound. It was so overwhelmingly happy, that over 60% of the country voted for him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceocNS-toDk

The song that may have best fit his administration: The Theme to the Godfather. In one sense, the end of Part 2 mirrors the end of the Nixon Administration. Michael was all alone after isolating himself. Paranoia led to Michael's lonely existence as it ended the Nixon presidency and left the president alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKXt3Surlk