What's in Barack Obama's iPod?

I'm dubious about the manufactured PR that comes in the form of a report about what's in some politician's iPod. But whether these are really the songs the person listens to or not, it's at least a list of what the campaign wants you to think he likes, and that means something. So let's read the report on Obama iPod — his oPod.

• Bob Dylan – "at least 30 tracks", including Maggie's Farm, which is one of Mr Obama's favourites "for the political season... it speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric". In the song, Dylan sings about trying to be himself, "but everybody wants you to be just like them".

Does it speak to his "head full of ideas that are drivin' [him] insane"? Do you believe "Maggie's Farm" is one of his favorites, or do you think they just tried to find a political song that had some appropriate rhetoric? The character in the song is perceiving what's wrong with the farm (the country) and is looking for a change.

• Stevie Wonder – "Stevie had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we've ever seen."

Can't go wrong with Stevie.

• The cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Uh, better put something classical in there.

• Blues legend, Howlin' Wolf.

Put some blues.

• Bruce Springsteen – "Not only do I love Bruce's music, I just love him as a person". Mr Obama says he has met him, and calls him The Boss.

Unbought and unbossed.... except by The Boss.

• The late-1970s disco outfit Earth, Wind and Fire, famous for Boogie Wonderland and September.

This is the one I'm most likely to believe he really likes, because it's from the era when his tastes were probably formed and it's hard to think of a good reason to fake liking this. So, boogie:

• Rolling Stones, with Mr Obama's favourite track being Gimme Shelter.

The Boomers expect this (or The Beatles).

• Hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Ludacris, although "I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics".

Uh oh. What would John McWhorter say?

• Sheryl Crow, famous for If it Makes you Happy and All I Wanna Do.

This makes me want to vote for John McCain.

• Jazz greats including Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane

Got to put some jazz in there....

What?! No show tunes? No folksingers? ... No country!