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Win Or Lose: Your Election Night Theme Song

Brendan Smialowski
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AFP/Getty Images

It's been a long presidential election season, but it's almost over, and even if we don't know who's going to win, the end is in sight.

Let's pretend it's Tuesday night and you're on the couch following the returns, maybe clutching a drink or a loved one with your fingers crossed.

The big announcement comes.

There are two scenarios:

1. Your candidate for president wins! What song are you going to crank up?

2. Your candidate for president loses. What song will get you through it?

If my guy wins, I'll crank up "Celebration Day" by Led Zeppelin:

My, my, my, I'm so happy,
I'm gonna join the band,
We are gonna sing and dance in celebration,
We are in the promised land.

If my guy loses, I'll reach for "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison:

Now the darkness only stays the night-time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
Its not always going to be this grey

All things must pass
All things must pass away

Of course, there's a third scenario: The election's too close to call and drags on for weeks, in which case I'll have to reach for for more than just a shot of the funniest guy ever to make music, Spike Jones. "Clang, clang, who cares a dang?"

What's the difference when you're on a spree?
Over the teeth, behind the gums,
Look out stomach here she comes
Hi! Have another drink on me

How about you?

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In 1988, a determined Bob Boilen started showing up on NPR's doorstep every day, looking for a way to contribute his skills in music and broadcasting to the network. His persistence paid off, and within a few weeks he was hired, on a temporary basis, to work for All Things Considered. Less than a year later, Boilen was directing the show and continued to do so for the next 18 years.
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