It is always interesting to know what your politicians are listening to. It gives you a pulse on their thinking, and their taste. This week according to VH1 we now get to know all about what is on Barack Obama’s Ipod playlist in the new issue of Rolling Stone.

So what does the Democrat nominee listen to for music? Obama is apparently a big fan of Jay-Z, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, the feelings seem to be mutual Bob Dylan recently threw his endorsement to the Obama camp, and Bruce Springsteen has even spoke to the Democrat nominee on the phone.

Barack says his musical tastes are “eclectic” explaining that his influences in music come largely from growing up in the 1970’s. Everything from Earth Wind and Fire to Elton John has been an influence.

One of the biggest influences however is reflective of his policy in Iraq. His favorite song is by The Rolling Stones. Gimme Shelter which features the famous refrain “War, children/ It’s just a shot away.”

On his playlist, there are over 30 songs from Bob Dylan including the 1965 protest song “Maggie’s Farm,” a song that speaks largely against those who try to keep him in check. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric,” Obama said of the song, which features the telling lyric “I try my best/ To be just like I am/ But everybody wants you/ To be just like them.”

Also featured on Obama’s playlist are jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Although rap music lyrics are the concern of any political parent, he does listen to rap as well. He even says that the music is a big influence in breaking racial barriers.

As for those Rrepublicans out there, President Bush’s “IPod 1” is also loaded with some music from the 1970’s. It includes Van Morrison, George Jones, Joni Mitchell and the Knack. John McCain however there is no word on if he even owns an IPod, or any MP3 player for that matter.