Tomorrow night, I’ll be following the election results from inside C-VILLE Weekly with a few colleagues. Today, however, is all about nervous anticipation—any last-minute decisions, Virginia?—and my optimism is currently slam-dancing with my anxiety. The remedy? Rock the vote.
Before we ring in the new regime tomorrow evening, let’s set our ears ringing. Here are a few tunes I find particularly appropriate for tomorrow’s festivities. Be sure to add your own below!
1. Al Green – "A Change is Gonna Come." The song. Green alternately urges himself along "an uphill journey, all the way," and asks for some force to level the road he walks. The precedent Sam Cooke sets in the original version makes the song a struggle in soul, and Green nails it. Also see: Versions by Aretha and…Wayne Brady?
2. Sleater-Kinney – "Entertain." I would’ve preferred to post "Far Away," but the sparring sneers on the mugs of Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein speak volumes. (Click the link above for video.) Also selected for the line "You come around looking 1984./ You’re such a bore, 1984." Mondale and Reagan, we’re looking in your direction.
3. Jay-Z – "Minority Report." A standout from HOVA’s set at John Paul Jones Arena.
4. The Clash – "Safe European Home." Just in case some of you are thinking about splitting the U.S. if things don’t turn out your way. Sometimes the biggest patriot is an expatriate…
5. David Bowie – "Life on Mars." In case Europe isn’t far enough for some of you.
A change is going to come, just as Al Green (pictured) promised. But who’s going to bring it?
