Posted by Emily Exton on 02/09/2012 at 2:34 PM News

The Popdust Files: barack obama, bruce springsteen, jennifer hudson, politics, Zac Brown Band

He may not have gotten the rights to use Lady Antebellum in upcoming campaign events, but Barack Obama has a thick enough skin and a deep enough musical knowledge put together the definitive Spotify playlist for his 2012 campaign. Time to get to work on learning how the internet works, Mr. Romney. Crossing genres and decades, the list—created, sadly, by Obama staffers who managed to include “a few of President Obama’s favorites”— aims to help recreate that empowering, infectious “Yes We Can” spirit of four years ago. Darius Rucker and Sugarland get the most love with two songs a piece, while Arcade Fire, old-school No Doubt and even a Dreamgirls cut round out the listen. With such diverse offerings, listening to the mix in its entirety is by no means a chore. (We were dancing!) Embrace the born-for-campaign-rally tracks like Bruce Springsteen’s most recent “We Take Care of Our Own” and heavy-titled reelection pleas like “Keep Me In Mind” by Zac Brown Band, as well as the sweet love songs that best describe what many of us feel when we see the Commander in Chief singing Al Green. Who is on there, too. Because, obviously. But no love for your pal Lady Gaga?

2012 CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST

“DIFFERENT PEOPLE” — NO DOUBT

“GREEN ONIONS” — BOOKER T & THE MG’S

“I GOT YOU (AT THE END OF THE CENTURY)” — WILCO

“KEEP ON PUSHING” — THE IMPRESSIONS

“LOVE YOU I DO” — JENNIFER HUDSON

“NO NOSTALGIA” — AGESANDAGES

“RAISE UP” — LEDISI

“STAND UP” — SUGARLAND

“THIS” — DARIUS RUCKER

“WE USED TO WAIT” — THE ARCADE FIRE

“YOU’VE GOT THE LOVE” — FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE

“YOUR SMILING FACE” — JAMES TAYLOR

“ROLL WITH CHANGES” — REO SPEEDWAGON

“KEEP MARCHIN” — RAPHAEL SAADIQ

“TONIGHT’S THE KIND OF NIGHT” — NOAH AND THE WHALE

“KEEP ME IN MIND” — ZAC BROWN BAND

“THE WEIGHT” — ARETHA FRANKLIN

“EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING” — U2

“HOME” — DIERKS BENTLEY

“EVERYDAY AMERICA” — SUGARLAND

“LEARN TO LIVE” — DARIUS RUCKER

“LET’S STAY TOGETHER” — AL GREEN

“MR. BLUE SKY” — ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

“MY TOWN” — MONTGOMERY GENTRY

“THE BEST THING ABOUT ME IS YOU” — RICKY MARTIN FEAT. JOSS STONE

“YOU ARE THE BEST THING” — RAY LAMONTANGE