GABRIELLE LOHR
Special to The Leader
Picture this: it’s Nov. 3. You’ve watched President Trump and former Vice President Biden face off like a pair of ‘90s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots approximately 1,873 times by now.
You’ve intently listened to town halls, watched countless interviews and have heard the phrases “Make America Great Again” and “Come on, man” so much that you’re ready for this thing to be over already.
You’re stressed. Who wouldn’t be?
Music has been proven effective as a form of therapy and, according to a 2011 study analysis by Harvard, noticeably lowers anxiety.
So here are six songs to ease your election night anxiety and distract you from the mess that is the year 2020:
“Power” by Kanye West
During election season, there’s one thing on people’s minds: power. West’s “Power” takes a look at the sheer force of an individual. With lyrics like, “No one man should have all that power,” which follows a less-than-humble first verse about personal leadership abilities, the track emphasizes the impact that anyone in power can have over those who follow them, both literally and figuratively. The song calls out current issues within the United States with the lyrics, “The system’s broken, the school’s closed, the prison’s open,” emphasizing the cracks within the United States criminal justice system.
“No Brainer” by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Quavo
President Trump was quoted at the Republican National Convention saying, “This is the most important election in U.S. history.” No matter which side of the aisle you’re on, this statement is fervently agreeable. Most Americans are set in stone in terms of the candidate for whom they will cast their vote. As Justin Bieber said, “Baby, it’s a no-brainer. It ain’t that hard to choose.”
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
A staple at any sports venue, “Seven Nation Army” has an infectious and immediately recognizable bass guitar riff. The track’s angsty tone is further exemplified with the lyric, “I’m gonna fight ‘em off. A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.” An election year always brings out the inner Gossip Girl in every Washington, D.C. politician. The Capitol seems to become a personal boxing ring for anyone related to or associated with a presidential candidate. “Seven Nation Army” represents this bad blood and determination to fight off a candidate through the power of slander, with the idea that both Biden and Trump will fight each other off without any fear of being held back or crossing the line.
“Humble” by Kendrick Lamar
The word “humble” appears to be conveniently absent from the dictionaries of almost every politician. With the iconic lyrics, “Sit down, be humble,” front and center, Lamar’s Billboard Hot 100 number one track warns individuals to have a sense of self-awareness. We’ve been hearing each candidate read off of their extensive list of accomplishments for months now in what seems like a never-ending saga that I like to call, “Look America, I’m better than him.” While it’s important to have an extensive understanding of each candidates’ qualifications, I can imagine that we’ll all be on the verge of losing our minds if we’re forced to listen to these ego-competitions any longer. Not to be repetitive, but gentlemen, sit down, be humble.
“Better Days” by The Goo Goo Dolls
As if 2020 wasn’t already a dark cloud filled with natural disasters, famous deaths and you know, a hint of pandemic, we had to throw in a presidential election because why not? “Better Days” is a somber plea from The Goo Goo Dolls for the return of days that we once knew. The song begins with the heartbreaking lyrics, “You asked me what I want this year and I try to make this kind and clear, just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days.” Any listener will immediately relate to the heartfelt wish of the Buffalo-born band. Another striking line from the song is “Tonight’s the night the world begins again,” lyrics that embody the hopeful feelings of every voter come election night.
“Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
Finally, this boy band classic will put you in a giddy mood no matter how Election Night ends. Will you be saying “Bye Bye Bye” to President Trump and welcoming former Vice President Biden into the White House? Or will you be saying “Bye Bye Bye” to 47-year political veteran Biden? Either way, the lyrics, “I want to see you out that door, baby bye bye bye” are sure to resonate with voters across the country.