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A Rap/Country Campaign Song, Rick Perry

by Kendyl Kearly

It's no secret that a catchy theme song will help you remember something. The song or jingle doesn't have to be good; it just has to stay in everyone's head, forever. Just ask the teams behind Kit Kat Bars, Meow Mix, and Oscar Mayer. Clearly a fan of this strategy, Rick Perry announced his candidacy with a country/rap song, a political remix of Colt Ford and JJ Lawhorn's "Answer to No One."

The Texas governor entered the race Thursday, making him the tenth Republican to announce his or her intent to run for president. As one of the only candidates with military experience, Perry emphasized his experience as an Air Force pilot. However, the military motif was only one of the noteworthy moments from his rally.

The very Republican-sounding chorus to his song remained the same: "I won't back up. I don't back down. I've been raised up to stand my ground. Take my job but not my guns. Tax my check till I ain't got none. Except for the good Lord up above, I answer to no one."

However, some of the lyrics had been changed to support Perry.

Rick Perry supporter, let's protect our border. To hell with anyone who don't believe in the USA. Rick Perry all the way. Give me my right to vote, my right to tote the weapon of my choice. Don't censor my voice.

You can watch the song in all its glory here. With all the attention this song is getting, maybe some other candidates should try a musical campaign? Hell, Rick Santorum's done it already. Here are eight other presidential hopefuls who need a good theme song:

Hillary Clinton

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Clinton should definitely enlist the help of some powerful female icons to help write her campaign song. Musicians such as Beyoncé and Ariana Grande have already expressed their support of the former secretary of state. Who run the world? Girls.

Rand Paul

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Rand Paul seems to be struggling, and it's almost certainly because he hasn't launched a campaign song yet. Maybe a fitting anthem would be a song that reflects not remaining in his father's shadow like the Beach Boys' "I’m Bugged At My Ol’ Man.” They would probably have to change the lyric about the singer's father stealing his surfboard.

Martin O'Malley

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Martin O'Malley already has the musical edge. The Democratic candidate plays in a Celtic rock band that Baltimore, his hometown, seems to love. One of the Irish folk-rock songs they play, "The Body of an American" could certainly be tweaked to support his views.

Lindsey Graham

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Since announcing his candidacy, a lot of gun control and military issues have circled around Lindsey Graham. The candidate received an A rating from the National Rifle Association, indicating a strong record of voting against gun control. AC/DC is definitely necessary for helping out in the marketing department; any one of their hits about guns would work fantastically in Graham's campaign. He could change the words to "Big Gun," "Fire Your Guns," "Gimme a Bullet," or "Guns for Hire."

Bernie Sanders

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America has been trying to decide lately whether a satirical article about rape that Sanders wrote in 1972 is inappropriate. Maybe something by Weird Al Yankovic would show voters that he has a sense of humor. Does anything good rhyme with "Bernie Sanders?"

Marco Rubio

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Rubio has already embraced the power of good tunes. Before his announcement that he was running for president, he played hip-hop, pop, and country, according to SF Weekly. The Republican has expressed his love of rap music and Nicki Minaj in particular. With Minaj behind him, Rubio might fly like starships.

Carly Fiorina

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As the only female Republican running for the 2016 presidency, Carly Fiorina is the subject of a lot of negativity, much of it wrapped around her time has a Hewlett-Packard executive. There aren't a lot of songs about businesswomen, but Donna Summer's "She Works Hard for the Money" seems appropriate, especially given the line about how you'd better treat her right.

Rick Santorum

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Santorum needs something to spice up his second run for president, and that something should definitely be a Slim Shady hit. The Republican needs to proclaim that he's back, and how better to do that than with Eminem's "I'm Back?" The marketing team would probably have to change every single word though.

This campaign really needs to follow Perry's example and become more melodic. We're ready for Broadway to gather these hits and turn the election into a musical. If a candidate doesn't win the presidency, he or she might nab a Tony instead.

Images: Getty Images (9)