Posted by Samantha Martin on 02/12/2013 at 2:29 PM Birthdays

The Popdust Files: abraham lincoln, iggy azalea, lady gaga, marvin gaye, sufjan stevens

America’s 16th President and resident slave-freer Abraham Lincoln has been honored with movies, plays, books, and songs all about his life. That’s basically the presidential equivalent of winning the EGOT. Oh, there’s even a car named after him. Let’s see you and your precious apple compete with that, Washington!

Today is Honest Abe’s birthday, so we’ve assembled a list of songs that mention him favorably; we’re going 20th century and beyond (sorry, H.M. Higgins!). Jam this playlist as you dine on Chicken Fricassee, biscuits, and oyster stew and pour one non-alcoholic beverage out for the guy who abolished slavery.

1. Sufjan Stevens: “Decatur”

The sound of the engines and the smell of the grain,
We go riding on the abolition grain train
Steven A. Douglas was a great debater,
But Abraham Lincoln was the great emancipator

2. Marvin Gaye: “Abraham, Martin & John (& Bobby)”

Has anyone here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me whe he’s gone?
Oh, he freed a lot of people
but it seems the good die young, yeah.
I just looked around and he was gone.

3. Bob Dylan: “Talkin’ WWIII Blues”

Some of the people can be all right part of the time
But all of the people can’t be all right all of the time
I think Abraham Lincoln said that
“I’ll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours”

4. Lady Gaga: “Paper Gangsta”

Midnight rush with a pen in my hand
Inkin Lincoln, sand-script with a fan

5. Iggy Azalea: “Pu$$y”

Baby what you thinking? Aka Titanic
So much wet will have yo ass sinking
Treat that tongue like a bullet
Give me head, Abe Lincoln

Hm. Well, I suppose it’s not unfavorable.

6. Rainer Maria: “The Contents of Lincoln’s Pockets”

Lincoln struck at the back of the head as if by a velvet curtain
His body lists and folds, creased at the hip,
And rolls to the floor beside his seat
The light’s gone out, but even now he’s radiating heat

Again, not unfavorable.

Last, and least known, but probably best…

7. Best Friends Forever: “My Head in Front of Your Head”

If I’d been on the balcony of Fords Theater
When Mr. Booth came up with gun in hand
I would’ve put my head in front of your head

That’s the attitude!

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln!