Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

US Presidential Election Special: Music stars for Obama vs Romney

By Joe Bosso
published 10 October 2012

Who's backing who in the race for the White House

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
President Barack Obama
(Image credit: Mike Lynaugh ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

President Barack Obama

For months you've been hearing their stand on the issues (over and over again). You've seen the conventions, checked the polls, and now that we're into the debates and rounding the corner on the US presidential election, which will decide between the incumbent, Barack Obama, and his challenger, Mitt Romney, what you really want to know is... What do the music stars think?

On the following pages, we present the 2012 list of musicians and their political picks. From donations to performances at rallies to Tweets, they've made their feelings known on which candidates they support.

Obama's favorite music

The President's listening habits are pretty eclectic, with his iPod loaded with albums and cuts by Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, the Grateful Dead, Elton John, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Fugees, Sheryl Crow, Howlin' Wolf, Charlie Parker and Bach.

So who's singing Obama's tune? Let's see...

Page 1 of 29
Page 1 of 29
For Obama
Adam Levine (Maroon 5)
(Image credit: Joe Stevens ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

For Obama

In April, the Maroon 5 singer posted on his Twitter account, "Dear America, if you don't re-elect @BarackObama I'm gonna lose my shit."

Page 2 of 29
Page 2 of 29
For Obama
Dave Grohl
(Image credit: Dennis Van Tine ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

For Obama

Grohl has openly expressed his admiration for the president, stating in 2011, "He's got the toughest job on earth. I would hate to hand the administration over to another party that is just focused on corporation, greed and money. You know, I'm a fun, peace loving guy, but sometimes the right wing gets a little too selfish."

Last month, Grohl and the Foo Fighters performed at the Democratic National Convention.

Page 3 of 29
Page 3 of 29
For Obama
Crosby, Stills & Nash
(Image credit: RD/ Erik Kabik/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

For Obama

The legendary trio recently performed at a California fundraiser for Obama, with tickets going for a cool $35,800 each.

Page 4 of 29
Page 4 of 29
For Obama
Gwen Stefani
(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Reuters/Corbis)

For Obama

There is no doubt as to whom Stefani supports: in August, she hosted a $2,500-per-family "playdate" fundraiser at her Beverly Hills home, which First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters attended.

Page 5 of 29
Page 5 of 29
For Obama
Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
(Image credit: Sayre Berman/Corbis)

For Obama

Wentz, who supported Obama in 2008, participated in a summer door-to-door canvassing effort in Bay Village, Ohio, on behalf of the president.

Page 6 of 29
Page 6 of 29
For Obama
Jon Bon Jovi
(Image credit: Sayre Berman/Corbis)

For Obama

The New Jersey rocker performed recently at a star-studded Obama concert rally at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Page 7 of 29
Page 7 of 29
For Obama
Jay-Z and Beyonce
(Image credit: Walik Goshorn/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

For Obama

Last month, Obama spoke at a fundraiser hosted by Jay-Z and Beyonce at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan. Tickets for the event cost $40,000 per.

He also appeared via video during Jay-Z's headline set at his own Made In Americafestival last month.

Page 8 of 29
Page 8 of 29
For Obama
Katy Perry
(Image credit: MARIANNA MASSEY/epa/Corbis)

For Obama

The pop princess performed at the same Los Angeles Obama concert rally as Jon Bon Jovi and others.

Page 9 of 29
Page 9 of 29
For Obama
Mariah Carey
(Image credit: Walter McBride/Corbis)

For Obama

The pop diva performed her inspirational song, Bring It On Home, written in honor of Obama, at a Democratic fundraiser last spring.

Page 10 of 29
Page 10 of 29
For Obama
Lady Gaga
(Image credit: MICHAEL KAPPELER/epa/Corbis)

For Obama

Gaga has been a longtime Obama supporter and recently restated her belief in the president, tweeting, "Obama, congratulations on being the first sitting President to support marriage equality. Feels like the future, and not the past."

Page 11 of 29
Page 11 of 29
For Obama
Jason Mraz
(Image credit: ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

For Obama

Mraz has been a longtime Obama supporter, performing at a number of events, and recently co-authored a blog on the Huffington Post urging fans to watch the first debate between the president and Mitt Romney.

Page 12 of 29
Page 12 of 29
For Obama
Stevie Wonder
(Image credit: MANUEL DE ALMEIDA/epa/Corbis)

For Obama

The music legend has been an active Obama supporter for years, and recently he performed at the Nokia Theatre concert rally for the president in Los Angeles.

Page 13 of 29
Page 13 of 29
For Obama
Fiona Apple
(Image credit: Dan Harr/AdMedia/Corbis)

For Obama

The singer-songwriter made a pledge of $500 to the Obama campaign this year.

Page 14 of 29
Page 14 of 29
For Obama
will.i.am
(Image credit: MICHAEL NELSON/epa/Corbis)

For Obama

The Black Eyed Peas star has contributed to numerous Obama efforts over the years, and just yesterday he served as DJ at a campaign story for the president at Ohio State University.

Page 15 of 29
Page 15 of 29
For Obama
John Legend
(Image credit: John Ricard/Corbis)

For Obama

The singer-songwriter has supported Obama since 2008, and this election year has been no different. The Ohio native recently stumped for the president at a rally at the University of Toledo.

Page 16 of 29
Page 16 of 29
For Obama
Questlove
(Image credit: Tim Bugbee/The Hell Gate/Corbis)

For Obama

The Roots star has recently been engaged in a friendly battle with Russell Simmons to see who can raise more money for the Obama campaign.

Page 17 of 29
Page 17 of 29
For Obama
Randy Newman
(Image credit: Amy Harris/Corbis)

For Obama

The Oscar-winning composer and singer has voiced his support for Obama, and recently he wrote the satirical song aimed at the election season called I'm Dreaming.

Page 18 of 29
Page 18 of 29
For Obama
James Taylor
(Image credit: Michele Eve Photography/Corbis)

For Obama

The music legend performed at the DNC in September and has played at a number of Obama events, including intimate gigs at local campaign headquarters.

Page 19 of 29
Page 19 of 29
Governor Mitt Romney
(Image credit: SHAWN THEW/epa/Corbis)

Governor Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney says that he's a fan of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, the Eagles, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, Randy Travis and... The Killers? (Yep, that's what he's said.)

When it comes to musicians who share Romney's love, he's got a little catching up to do with Obama on the rock and pop front. But his support among country stars is, well, country strong. Let's see who's leading the parade for Romney...

Page 20 of 29
Page 20 of 29
For Romney
Kid Rock
(Image credit: Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis)

For Romney

The Born Free rocker has allowed Romney to use that song at his campaign stops, and he's appeared at numerous rallies for the Republican presidential hopeful, including one yesterday in Ohio in which he introduced Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan.

Page 21 of 29
Page 21 of 29
For Romney
Lee Greenwood
(Image credit: Alex Farris/Demotix/Corbis)

For Romney

The Proud To Be An American country singer has voiced his support for Romney, appearing at events for the former governor.

Page 22 of 29
Page 22 of 29
For Romney
Gene Simmons
(Image credit: MIGUEL SIERRA/epa/Corbis)

For Romney

Although he backed Obama in 2008, the KISS bassist has switched sides: "Strictly speaking on the economy and in my humble opinion, Mitt Romney," he told Fox News. "America is a business and should be run by a businessman."

Page 23 of 29
Page 23 of 29
For Romney
John Rich (Big And Rich)
(Image credit: Michael Hurcomb/Corbis)

For Romney

Half of country stars Big And Rich has pledged $2,500 to the Romney campaign, and he recently engaged in a Twitter war of words with the left-leaning singer Clay Aiken.

Page 24 of 29
Page 24 of 29
For Romney
Ted Nugent
(Image credit: Dan Harr/AdMedia/Corbis)

For Romney

The Motor City Madman has thrown his support Romney's way. Famous for his Second Amendment beliefs, he recently told Newsmax, "Compared to Barack Obama and his team, Mitt Romney is indeed Michael the Archangel. He is a knight in shining armor for individual rights to self-defense.”

Page 25 of 29
Page 25 of 29
For Romney
Trace Adkins
(Image credit: Miles Chrisinger/Icon SMI/Corbis)

For Romney

Adkins has voiced his total support for the Romney-Ryan ticket and recently appeared at one of their campaign stops in Fisherville, Virginia.

Page 26 of 29
Page 26 of 29
For Romney
Johnny Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
(Image credit: Jason L Nelson/AdMedia/Corbis)

For Romney

Van Zant, who supported Florida Republican Ted Yoho (who scored an upset over Rep. Cliff Stearns recently), is backing Romney. According to Politico, he said, "I did not vote for President Obama … His whole platform was change, change. Well, very little has changed I know for the people that are our fans."

Page 27 of 29
Page 27 of 29
For Romney
Hank Williams Jr.
(Image credit: John Schultz/ZUMA Press/Corbis)

For Romney

A fierce critic of Obama, Williams has offered tepid support for Romney, stating that he's behind the GOP candidate but won't stump for the campaign. "I mean, we've got the worst in history. We've got to have something," he said. "We've got to have a change, that's for sure."

Page 28 of 29
Page 28 of 29
For Romney
The Oak Ridge Boys
(Image credit: Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News/Corbis)

For Romney

The legendary country harmony singers appeared at the RNC back in August. Asked what else they'll do for the Romney-Ryan ticket, band member Joe Bonsall told Politico, “We are going to do whatever is asked of us."

Page 29 of 29
Page 29 of 29
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Joe Bosso
Joe Bosso
Social Links Navigation

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.

  1. “Magical, tape music instrument” also features effects and a looper
    1
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  2. 2
    Classic interview: Lemmy talks rockabilly and picks his 10 essential songs playlist
  3. 3
    "With this record, I hope that people can feel my soul and my spirit because, in those solos, that’s what I’m really giving you" – Malina Moye on her new album and the 10 that changed her life
  4. 4
    Rick Beato breaks down Nuno Bettencourt’s jaw-dropping solo from new Extreme single Rise, and yes, it is still impossible to play
  5. 5
    Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen assaulted by teenager outside Florida hotel
  1. Thom Yorke
    1
    20 Radiohead guitar chords you need to know
  2. 2
    Ry Cooder's top 3 tips for slide guitar success: "Get you some control"
  3. 3
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  4. 4
    Classic interview: Lemmy talks rockabilly and picks his 10 essential songs playlist
  5. 5
    6 drum processing techniques to help you program state-of-the-art beats

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.