The Harris playlist also featured the only nonbinary musician between the two campaigns, with “Tightrope” by Janelle Monáe.
Harris’ playlist swings more contemporary, with nine songs from the 2010s and 11 pop songs. Like the decades reflected in Trump’s campaign music, placing audiences in the present may reinforce the campaign slogan “We’re Not Going Back,” Powell said.
Both campaigns included a number of songs by LGBTQ+ artists. Harris’ campaign played several “queer anthems,” like Cher’s “Believe” or “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross.
While the Trump campaign’s playlist features four songs from queer musicians — Elton John, Queen and the Village People — Powell said he believes those musicians don’t court Trump’s base.
“Even though Trump is featuring queer artists, they go back to the nostalgic period,” he said. “Their sexuality wasn’t ‘upfront’ and very much explicit in the way that ‘Hot to Go’ [by queer musician Chappell Roan] or folks like Janelle Monáe are.”
The Harris campaign also played “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, a Black, queer musician. It was one of the only slow-tempo songs in the lineup. The song, recently covered by country music artist Luke Combs, is largely about poverty. Its use appeals to country and folk fans, Black and LGBTQ+ attendees, Powell said, aligning with the Harris campaign’s focus on inclusivity.