An Election Day Playlist
Stuck in a long voting line and not sure how you’ll spend the next however many hours? Never fear. Outspoken has created a voting playlist so you can get PUMPED before you enter the polling place. Voting is fun and here’s proof! Listen, feel inspired, and dance it out, here.
- “Commander in Chief” by Demi Lovato
Demi dominated at this year’s Billboard Music Awards with the debut of this song. It’s a blistering indictment of President Trump’s inadequacies in handling (or lack of handling) every crisis his administration has encountered, including the 2018-19 government shutdown, West Coast forest fires, protests against police brutality, and, of course, COVID-19.
- “Formation” by Beyonce
Get in formation and vote.
- “We the People” by A Tribe Called Quest
Tribe is a Legendary hip-hop group who has famously rapped about a variety of social issues. In 2016, they released their final album in which this track appears. “We the People” is a reminder that ‘we the people’ includes ALL of us and not just some of us.
- “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John
You may think this song is an anthem for Pennsylvanian sports bros to scream-sing at baseball games (and you’d be right) but it was actually written to honor Billie Jean King after winning the famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match. So strap on your tennis shoes and groove your way to the polls to fight sexism alongside BJK!
- “Split Stones” by Maggie Rogers
It’s a song about living fully and honestly. The song asks what we would do given the chance (“If you would move like you had something to lose”), and voting is the most significant chance we have to change the trajectory of this country.
- “Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley
We have been stuck at home for some time, and while voting during a pandemic looks a little different, we still need to get up, stand up, and get out and vote—for all of our rights.
- “Lost Souls” by H.E.R ft. DJ Scratch
It’s a track that speaks to the issues in current American leadership, especially feminist issues. It is a perfect track to remind you what you’re standing up for with your vote.
- “Song32” by Noname
Noname is an extraordinary rapper and spoken word artist. This song has various American anecdotes and allusions which she uses to cleverly critique American culture for its glorification of money, violence, and sexism.
- “Come Together” by The Beatles
Originally written in 1969 for Timothy Leary’s campaign against Ronald Reagan for California governorship, this Abbey Road opener still mobilizes the masses and gets people to realize we need to work together.
- “Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (feat. Teddy Pendergrass)
Although this song is from the ’70s, its message of unity is still relevant today. Let it inspire you to do YOUR part to help our country and get you pumped to vote!
- “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince” by Taylor Swift
If the previous song didn’t fire you up with its altruistic hope, then perhaps remembering what November 9, 2016, felt like will. I firmly believe that Swift wrote this song from the perspective of Hillary Clinton with America being the “Heartbreak Prince.” Politics can be disillusioning but we have to keep hope that “someday we’re gonna win”—let it be today.
- “Where is the Love” by The Black Eyed Peas
This song is classic. It inspired a young generation to become socially conscious and get politically active when it first came out in the early 2000’s.
- “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
Waiting in a long line to vote can make you feel impatient and drained. So here’s a happy, energizing tune to keep your mood up at the polls!
- “Do It” by Chloe x Halle
Go vote. Do it. Do it. Do it.
- “This Is America” by Childish Gambino
Gambino makes a grim but important statement with this song, which reflects back to us what America is for people of color and for Black men in particular. However, it also acts as a reminder that “This is America” and we have the power to make change.
- “Bold As Love” by Jimi Hendrix
Because during this time of division and polarization, we need a reminder to be courageous and bold to continue to show love.
- “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” by Quincy Jones, Tevin Campbell
Songs about hope and love are just what we need right now. Let’s use our voices to make lasting change for a better tomorrow.
- “Changes” by Tupac
The beauty of this song is that while the lyrics sound so hopeless, the tune of the song is hopeful. While this year has been hard, elections give us hope for change and better days ahead.
- “Freedom” by Beyonce
2020 sometimes feels like it took all the fight we had in us, but this song makes you realize we have a lot more spirit left.
- “American Girl” by Tom Petty
It’s an American classic—need I say more?
- “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
Because we need Kendrick to remind us that we are going to be alright.
- “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers
This song is an anthem of the hope we can give each other, when we support each other—especially during hardship. 2020 has been a difficult year. Unfortunately, this is also the year we lost the legendary Bill Withers; however, he left the world this song to lift our spirits. Democracy only works when we care about each other through collective and compassionate action.
- “***Flawless” by Beyonce
You woke up like this… flawless and ready to vote.
- “The Future is Female” by Madame Gandhi
“The biggest threat is a girl with a book” and a vote! Here’s to a future with women in the White House.
- “March March” by The Chicks
March march through the poll lines to the voting booth and towards a better future. While you’re at it, get inspired and watch the music video, here.
- “Underdog” by Alicia Keys
We sing a song for the poll workers, phone bank volunteers, for the voters. This one goes out to you for practicing your right to vote and for rising up with your voice. Thank you.
xx
Team Outspoken
