CIVL’s Aaron Levy tributes last week’s US Presidential Inauguration Day with a list of songs focused on presidential power, or something akin to it.
Bright Eyes – “When the President Talks to God”
Not a massive Bright Eyes fan, but this song slays: “When the President talks to God / Are the consonants all hard or soft? / Is he resolute all down the line? / Is every issue black or white? / Does what God say ever change his mind / When the President talks to God?”
Pras Michél, ft. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & introducing Mýa – “Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)”
“My eyes is sore, being a senator / Behind closed doors hitting truth to the seafloor / The rich go North, ignore the tug of war / While the kids are poor, open new and better drug stores / So I became hardcore, couldn’t take it no more / I’ma reveal everything, change the law.”
Nick Buzz – “That’s What You Get for Having Fun”
Nick Buzz’s singer/songwriter, Martin Tielli, was also the guitarist/vocalist for 20th century Canadian alternative rockers and CBC darlings, the Rheostatics. This song is a letter to whom he calls “Mr. President of Canada,” challenging the nature of executive decisions to do with either national security or expansionism.
The Fugees, ft. Nas – “If I Ruled The World”
The diamonds and pearls of power, ascension, administered justice, and progress toward our own personal and familial goals are as intoxicating as they can be dangerous and fickle to both obtain and maintain. The Fugees may have realized this after their rise to the top with this album, The Score.
