“Rock and Roll” — The Velvet Underground

“You know parents gonna be the death of us all.”

What it says about the candidate: There are countless songs with some variation of “Rock” or “Rock and Roll” in the title. Chuck Berry, Joan Jett, the Stones, John Lennon…Whose version would you pick, knowing that the definitional banner you choose to wave could in turn define you?

Going with this song as opposed to Berry’s “Rock n Roll Music” or the Stones’ “Only Rock n’ Roll” places Beto as a maverick, an outsider. Smack, blowjobs, sex-positivity and trans rights…it’s all right there. No Bob Seger for this candidate.

“Left of the Dial” — The Replacements

“What side are you on?”

What it says about the candidate: Great tune, from a band that flamed out semi-famously, about a love that never-quite-was and college radio stations that you could barely hear. Nuanced, sad and flawed, this is not classic rock Pandora; this is indie/alt canon. For those not interested in scouring the static for subtle meaning, the refrain of “Left of the Dial” is a fairly on-the-nose allusion to progressivism.

“Baby Come Close” — Smokey Robinson

“Let me touch your heart. Let the fire start.”

What it says about the candidate: Smokey! Great choice. It’s worth noting that black and brown artists are underrepresented in the song sequence I was present for, but perhaps the entirety of “Pre Rally Get Hype Mix” tells a more balanced story.

“That’s How I Escaped my Certain Fate” — Mission of Burma

“This might be your only chance…”

What it says about the candidate: Obtuse and angular, MoB is a bold followup to Smokey Robinson. And, given his stump points, I’d say he threaded the needle nicely by avoiding other Burma tracks such as “That’s When I Reached for My Revolver” (gun violence) or “Academy Fight Song” (school violence).

“Straight Shooter” — Reigning Sound

“The truth’ll make you cry.”

What it says about the candidate: I’ve gotta admit I had never heard this song before. That tells me that Beto isn’t scared to dig in crates, the same way that he visited all 17,542 counties in Texas to dig up those rare, rare blue votes.

“Roadrunner” — The Modern Lovers

“I’m in love with Massachusetts.”

What it says about the candidate: This is Perhaps pandering a bit to the New England audience, though I doubt a huge slice of this crowd is still getting high and listening to “Astral Plane”.

Also, there’s a lot of dudes…white dudes…on this list. I thought we would have heard something a little more cross-cultural by now. Great tune, but “I was dancing at the Lesbian Bar” would have been a more inclusive pick.

“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” —Bob Dylan

“Well, if I die on top of the hill…”

“I would Die 4U” — Prince

“And if you’re evil I’ll forgive you by and by”

What it says about the candidate: These two by Dylan and Prince are properly calibrated. They show breadth and avoid cliché. Although, P***y Control might have been a good nod to women’s reproductive rights.

“The Return of Jackie and Judy” — The Ramones

“Nobody wants you, nobody wants you.”

What it says about the candidate: Just a solid pick, man. Although, if I was Beto’s campaign playlist strategist I would have urged him to go with “Dany Says’, the Ramones’ forlorn and tuneful examination of the rigors of endless life on the road. Might have a been a nightly shot in the arm for a guy who’s been sleeping in hotels (or donor mansions) since last spring.

“Turnover” — Fugazi

“Maybe it was time to smash things up…”

What it says about the candidate: Choosing a Guy song over an Ian song is a political stance in and of itself.

I love the outro to this track, but we never get there, because the music stops and the crowd begins to cheer as the candidate approaches from somewhere in the direction of the driveway.