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The new issue of Rolling Stone, featuring Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama on the cover, features an interview with the senator that reveals the diversity of his musical tastes.
His playlist includes music from his formative years in the 1970s - most notably Earth, Wind & Fire, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, whom he described as his musical hero from the era. Also in the mix is his favorite song from the Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter."
Obama has about 30 tunes from Bob Dylan, including the entire "Blood on the Tracks" album.
"Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,'" Obama said of one of Dylan's tracks in which he sings about the importance of staying true to himself, "but everybody wants you to be just like them." Obama said: "It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric."
As for jazz selections, Obama has songs from Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
Some of the artists on Obama's iPod are publically backing him for president, including Bruce Springsteen. Earlier this month, Dylan told a British newspaper that he believes Obama is redefining politics in the United States and could deliver change to a nation in upheaval.
"I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable," Obama said. "Those guys are icons."
Obama said he hasn't met Springsteen, but the two have talked over the phone. "Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person," Obama said. "He is a guy who has never lost track of his roots, who knows who he is, who has never put on a front."
Asked what he thought of hip hop, Obama said the genre has broken down barriers within the music world, though he's concerned about its effect on his daughters - Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7.
"I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics," he said, "but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."
He noted hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris as "great talents and great businessmen."
"It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves," he added.
