A photograph of former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg wearing headphones has spawned a new meme about the presidential candidate’s taste in music.
The joke appears to have been started with Ken Klippenstein, a reporter for the Nation, who tweeted on Sunday the photo of Buttigieg alongside a screenshot of the Coldplay song “Viva La Vida” being played on Spotify.
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) February 9, 2020
The meme seemingly suggests that if the public ever discovered what was on Buttigieg’s Spotify playlist that it would undoubtedly be uncool.
Twitter users immediately began making similar pictures of their own, showcasing the type of audio content they assume Buttigieg would consume.
Everything from songs such as “Lie, Cheat, Steal” by Run the Jewels to “Hip To Be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News were featured. Even the Kidz Bop version of “High Hopes,” the Panic! At the Disco song infamously used by Buttigieg’s campaign, found its way into the mix.
— I’m Ryan (@rynowill75) February 9, 2020
— Lily Simpson is putting the T(rans) in YouTube (@LilySimpson1312) February 9, 2020
But it wasn’t just music Buttigieg was made to listen to. Others attached odd YouTube videos and weird audiobooks to the meme as well.
The sound of dogs whining and crying, anyone? How about instructions on how to be a human?
https://twitter.com/jotaele_emea/status/1226570978303430658?s=20
— Héctor E. Alcalá (Uncivilized) (@Hector_E_Alcala) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/Robert_Jordan1/status/1226570274700746753?s=20
Once an image of fellow presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with headphones was discovered, the meme took on an entirely new form. Now, instead of highlighting just how terrible Buttigieg’s listening choices are, users showed just how superior Sanders’ musical taste is in comparison.
Perhaps in the most brutal interpretation of the meme, Twitter user @JordanUhl pictured Sanders listening to the iconic thrash metal song “Ride the Lightning” by Metallica while Buttigieg opted to play “Some Kind Of Monster” from the band’s critically roasted, later-career St. Anger album.
— jordan (@JordanUhl) February 9, 2020
The hits just kept coming. When Sanders chose “Under Pressure” from David Bowie and Queen, Buttigieg chose “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. The aforementioned rap song was famously accused of ripping off the main riff from “Under Pressure.”
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) February 9, 2020
As Sanders rocked out to “Killing In the Name” by Rage Against the Machine, Buttigieg cranked up the volume on “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White Ts.
https://twitter.com/_ZaidArroyos/status/1226641724534951936?s=20
The meme onslaught hasn’t let up since.
— L.M. (@ASBAFfr) February 9, 2020
— Steppe in to the past (@KhanateEagles) February 9, 2020
I've been looking for a format for this idea pic.twitter.com/uhhApMVgck
— holy mountain climber (@trytakinganap) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/andaresa1/status/1226638033702838273?s=20
https://twitter.com/endlaughter/status/1226648644155269125?s=20
Of course, we don’t know for certain exactly what either candidate is currently jamming. We do know at least that Sanders has been endorsed by everyone from rapper Killer Mike to American hardcore punk band Stick To Your Guns.
And Buttigieg? Well, not too many musicians. But he has been endorsed by high-profile individuals such as actress Gwyneth Paltrow of Goop fame and everyone’s favorite Full House uncle John Stamos. Stamos’ character on the show was in the imaginary band Jesse and the Rippers.
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