Let's keep this dance party going! Here's a fascinating curiosity from 1973: "Impeach the President" by the funk band The Honey Drippers, recorded during the impeachment proceedings against Richard Nixon. It was the darkest-ever era of American politics—a traumatic national experience that fortunately taught us to never again allow corruption to prevail at the highest levels of power. The nation learned its lesson, and ever since then we've only elected wise and compassionate leaders who have transformed America into a just, equitable, and healthy society.
Too cruel? Sorry. Think of it as an alternate timeline and a still-attainable goal. And in the meantime, we can dance.
BONUS: The drum pattern from "Impeach the President" is one of the most sampled beats in hip-hop and R&B—a staggering 796 songs as of this writing, according to one tally (here's a link to a playlist). I find it inspiringly appropriate that hip-hop—a genre that has confronted and challenged authority since its inception—has the bones of a song about impeaching the president woven tightly into its DNA. I don't know whether the revolution will be televised, but it clearly has a funky soundtrack. -----
Listen to the Spotify playlist here.
Watch the YouTube playlist here.