Music

Listen to Rdio playlists from Obama and Romney's iPods

by Sam Sutherland

Since the advent of that little white mp3 player that is now your phone and GPS and bird call generator, “What’s on your iPod?” has become a new softball question for politicians that gives them a chance to cite a list of artists they’ve likely never heard in a wild stab at aligning themselves with the kind of voices of youth that will make young people think they aren’t just shitty, rich liars.

Admittedly, Obama might actually like some music, even if he can’t pronouse Nas’ name. But when it comes to Romney, questions of musical taste are preceded by more important Philip K. Dick-like queries about the nature of truth and emotions in robots.

Both have offered their own answers to “the iPod” question. Obama has gone so far as to make his own Spotify playlist (we’re positive Obama made it himself), while Romney has been somewhat more general in his praise of human artists, offering that “the Killers are one group I enjoy” and other strained phrases of fondness.

Whose iPod is better? Based on quotes from each about their favourite artists and songs, we’ve assembled an Rdio playlist for each. Check them out and let us know whose phone you’d rather find on the floor of a movie theatre, half-assedly attempt to bring to the attention of an usher, and then take home and steal what you want before wiping it clean.

Listen to Barack Obama’s iPod

Listen to Mitt Romney’s iPod