Music in U.S. presidential campaigns dates all the way back to George Washington [Video]

Quick! When you hear “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac, what do you think of?

For a large swath of the U.S. population who lived through the 1990s, the answer may very well be Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign.

“I became old enough to vote during the Clinton years, and I very clearly remember the ‘don’t stop thinking about tomorrow’ song,” said Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, professor of political science at Chatham University. “I think that’s probably true for campaigns that use music effectively. You’re trying to create an energy — a vibe, if you will — around the campaign, and using music is a really effective way to do that.”

Throughout American history, presidential candidates have used music as a vital part of their campaigns, from popular hit songs played at rallies to new lyrics written to familiar melodies.

The use of music by presidential hopefuls serves several purposes, including reinforcing …