(I was invited to the show by a campaign staffer and did not pay for a ticket; being that it was a fundraiser, that would have been a big ethical no-no and was there strictly to blog about exactly what I mentioned above.)

The first thing that I learned is that political people start things on time. Unlike a concert, when an invite says, 'Doors open at 6 p.m.' this means to drop your usual stee-lo of rolling in a fashionable 45 minutes to an hour after the appointed time and have your tail there at 6. So I missed the singing of the national anthem by a supposedly very good young local guy. (Share the name, if you know it.) 

I got there just in time to see Hornsby, alone on the stage, play his final song, "The Way It Is." He said before playing that he could imagine Obama being told that he couldn't change things, because that's they way they were. I took that to mean that it's our duty as Americans to fight for justice, what is right. Then he said, to my utter astonishment, that Tupac (who sampled "The Way it Is" in his song "Changes") was a prophet and a seer." (Tupac, inspired truth teller, brilliant artist yes. Prophet? Ehhmmm, I guess, if you say so Bruce.)

Anyway, Hornsby was magical, and there could not have been a more appropriate or touching song. After Michelle spoke, and people headed for the exit, the soundtrack included "Signed, Sealed, Delivered.'

I am pretty bad at picking the right song for the right occasion (too many songs in my head at once...the pressure!) but I didn't get that one. But you know me: I over think everything. Sometimes a song is just a song, no? 

I did, however, come up with a brilliant song for the McCain campaign to use on their next rally. The Obamas have been criticized for rhetoric about "hope" and "change," which some say is a hollow pipe dream.

That said, there's a song that I love on the album by indie rock darling Santogold that I think would be perfect for McCain, or his next attack ad.

It is called "Shove It." The the lyrics go: 

"...We on the look for the advantage, we work hard

And if we seem to rough it up a bit

We broke but we rich at heart

Pull ourselves up now we won't choke

It's our time, put the lights on us

War tactics they make me sick

reel your heart in run away with it

Smile in your face, undermine your back

got guns for the strength they lack

So if you know another way

you can't look the other way

if you know another way,

tell them so right to their face

We think you're a joke

Shove your hope where it don't shine (4x)"

Totally perfect for McCain, right?