Poll: Country The GOP’s Favorite Music Genre; Dems Prefer Classical

[DonViejo]

TOM KLUDT 2:12 PM EDT, THURSDAY MAY 9, 2013

Country music is the genre of choice among Republicans while Democrats gave the nod to classical music, according to a survey on musical preferences from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling released on Thursday.

Thirty-four percent of Republicans nationwide said country is their favorite music genre, doubling the percentage of the party that prefers classical. The top two choices flipped for Democrats. A little more than a quarter of the party said classical is their favorite genre, edging the 19 percent of Democrats who identified country as their top choice.

The poll also tested the popularity of serveral popular musicians, finding pop singer Justin Bieber to be the only artist viewed unfavorably by a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

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http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/poll-country-gops-favorite-music-genre-dems-prefer

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Bieber: He's a Uniteber, Not a Divideber! nt

[el_bryanto]

2. Classical music? really? Oy. That has me so upset I'm not sure I can finish my brie.

[tblue]

3. I know 2 people whose favorite music is Classical

Who are they polling???

[Lizzie Poppet]

4. I call shenanigans.

Classical #1 for Dems and #2 for Repubs? I ain't buying it. Few metro areas support more than one classical radio station (which usually has pretty modest ratings). Classical music sales are pretty low, even for this age of file stealing, er..."sharing." What I suspect was really being measured there was which political affiliation was a bit more willing to bullshit a researcher to come off as sophisticated. Sadly, the pachyderms may have beaten us on that point.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. DEMS LOVE THE GRATEFUL DEAD

YES WE DO

[geek tragedy]

6. Read the entire poll.

Favorite result:

Justin Timberlake was the runaway favorite for "which celeb would you like to see as President."

[Bennyboy]

7. This is so stupid it is laughable...

Classical? Who the fuck goes to see classical music? NOBODY. Who goes to see Dave Matthews band? EVERYBODY.

And Country, just what in the fuck is country anyway? is it Keith Urban or Buck owens? T Bone Burnett or garth Broooks? Emmylou Harris or Trisha Yearwood? Randy Skaggs or Robert earl keen? that is one huge ass envelope there.

BTW, Of all the republicans I know, or have ever met, (with two exceptions)MUSIC PLAYED NO PART IN THEIR LIVES WHATSOEVER. Most hated music. Classic Rock was it for them.

[Ligyron]

10. Classic Rock maybe...

But like Bennyboy says, most Repugs I've known hate music period. and books without pictures they can color.

[Ron Green]

11. People go to HEAR classical music, more than to see it, I imagine.

I agree with you about "country" music, and I suspect the Republicans they're talking about listen to the current Nashville product, which seems to be kind of a lite rock with a fiddle and steel guitar.

I'm still listening to "Kind of Blue," and after 54 years i get something new out of it every time I hear it.

[longship]

15. Best jazz album ever recorded.

What a band! What an album!

Flamenco Sketches is awesomeness.

[Bennyboy]

17. Well with most classical music being played

in smallish places. And a lot of it is subsidized. the SF Bay Area just had two nights of Stones and a major festival in Napa right now. That is more people than see all of the classical music played in the bay Area for a year or more I am sure. even Stern Grove has started booking rock bands.

[longship]

14. I go to classical concerts and opera.

When I can afford it. I haven't been to any other sort of concert in decades. I have heard some blues and some rock, but that was only because they happened to be playing at a bar I was at.

There are plenty of people who prefer classical music.

Bach rules! So do Mozart, Shostakovich, Ives, and Bartok. Many others as well. The classical music well is deep. One could dip into it all day every day and never get to the bottom of it.

So, as I wouldn't malign people for their taste in music, please don't malign mine. Whatever you like, that's cool with me. Go for it.

[Bennyboy]

18. Not maligning...

Just telling the truth. Classical does not pack amphitheaters, sheds, arenas or festivals every night of the year. people my ae (57) have no experience with classical (I have some but not much) and tht becomes a smaller number all the time. Symphonies etc are subsidized in order to keep afloat.
Don't make it bad that is how it is.

[longship]

20. Even in Detroit classical music sells.

They even have a new, and very nice, opera house, which used to be a huge movie palace. In my youth in the fifties I went there to see Ben Hur (IIRC). It was called the Grand Circus theater because it adjoined Grand Circus Park. Now it is the Detroit Opera House and beautifully restored. Been there many times. Gorgeous acoustics and one of largest orchestra pits.

I saw Salomé there a few years ago from the front mezzanine. Richard Strauss -- a huge orchestra by operatic standards. The sound presses you back into your seat. Plus, it has the Dance of the Seven Veils which is traditionally performed in the nude by the lead soprano.

Classical music isn't going away any time soon, my friend.

[RainDog]

19. More than 50% didn't know who Morrissey is

So, this is mostly just labeling.

I think this poll was more aspirational for Democrats, as in, "I like classical music and it's not associated with regressive politics so I'll choose that" kinda thinking.

Me? I like all genres of music, and, like you noted - it matters who the musician is, not the genre.

I heard that Tom Terrific sat in the with Stones on Little Red Rooster the other night in Oakland.

[LanternWaste]

22. By the way, I had to look up Dave Matthews Band.

"Who the fuck goes to see classical music?"

My co-workers, my friends, my family and myself; though I realize that's merely anecdotal evidence. I imagine that should your question be sincere, you may try Google to find both the absolute numbers and the demographics.

By the way, I had to look up Dave Matthews Band.

[MFM008]

8. yes

I have stacks of Baroque and classical. I also like oldies from 60s to 80s. Except for Johnny Cash, i loathe 'country' music.

[sharp_stick]

9. How about Norwegian Death Metal

where would society be without Borknagar and Gorgoroth?

This poll was fixed, fixed I tell ya'.

[sarisataka]

16. I prefer Melodic Death Metal

A little Amon Amrath just puts a spring in your step

[LostOne4Ever]

12. Power Metal

or GTFO

[Elwood P Dowd]

13. Dems I know listen mainly to rock or jazz.

Every repuke I know listens to country or religious crap. They also have terrible sound systems. If you want to piss them off show them your sound system and play something like Marvin Gaye's classic 'Mercy, Mercy, Me" or some Pete Seeger and Weavers folk songs. The repuke idiots call it commie music. That's how fucking stupid and brainwashed these people have become.

[GeorgeGist]

21. How to read a poll ...

75% of Dems preferred something other than Classical.

[bhcodem]

23. Classical? Count me in!

But then I have a BA in Music Education and sing in a local Chorale and used to play in a local ordhestra. Problem with classical music is only public radio stations play it because it is not commercial enough to provide any other way.

As for purchasing classical music. I often buy some work that I catch on the radio and have been known to stay in the car until a piece ends to find out what it is, which can take a little time since some works are long.

I detest Country, not too fond of current rock, but do also enjoy standards like Gershwin, Cole Porter, etc. Also Broadway musicals.

And I am a proud liberal Democrat!