Are generations split over election music choices?

Ahead of the 13th national election, we hit the streets one fine February afternoon with a playlist of campaign songs, asking people to share how each one made them feel.

Their responses offered a glimpse into how election music still shapes public mood, memory and engagement during campaign season, often acting as a familiar doorway into wider conversations about politics and participation.

As Bangladesh approached an election on January 7, 2024, the campaign trail came in a trendy way with a wave of political songs that captured the energy, hopes and promises of the season. Those songs carried a legacy of political music that has long shaped public sentiment and inspired movements.

In many ways, election songs test how well parties understand their audience.

A catchy, emotionally honest song can travel far beyond party lines, showing that political parties are competing not just on slogans or manifestos, but also for cultural relevance.

Artists used music as a form of resistance, morale-boosting and historical record.

That context matters today, as election songs now speak openly about real frustrations, hopes and demands.

The upcoming election on 12 February comes after a very different political moment.

The July uprising of 2024, driven largely by students and young people, made music one of its loudest emotional outlets.

Protest tracks like Hannan Hossain Shimul's "Awaaz Utha" and Shezan's "Kotha Ko" became anthems, giving voice to anger, hope and frustration, even as some artists faced detention.

Rapper Hannan Hossain Shimul was arrested soon after its release, drawing widespread criticism and amplifying the song's popularity.

A group of Dhaka University students shared their thoughts on the theme songs of various political parties, revealing how music could influence young voters.

For BNP's theme songs, opinions varied. The first student felt the first song "didn't give much vibe" and rated it 3 out of 5, while the second student scored a 4 out of 5. 

Another student described the song as "good" and the other one as "excellent, amazing," giving it 4 out of 5.

Jamaat's election songs also drew mixed reactions. One student appreciated the beat and gave it 4 out of 5, another said "my favorite out of the five songs, even if I don't align with their ideology." 

Another student thought the third song was "over-edited," while a separate opinion praised the ideology even if the party itself was not fully on track, rating it 5 out of 5. 

A new student admitted they hadn't listened to the songs yet.

Opinions on the National Citizen Party's song ranged widely. One student gave it only 1 out of 5, another said they didn't like it, while another rated it 5 out of 5. 

A third student scored it 2.5 out of 5.

The Khelafat Majlis party song received a 3.5 from a new student, while another remarked that "it doesn't capture the public's interest" and therefore could not be rated.

Among older listeners, the reactions followed a different pattern. 

Three respondents said they liked the BNP's sheaf of paddy song very much, describing it as familiar, emotional and closer to the traditional political tone they are used to. 

One of them said, "This song carries the old spirit and connects with the people," adding that it reminded him of past campaigns.

For Jamaat's theme, several older listeners felt it sounded too old-fashioned and lacked modern appeal, saying it might not attract younger voters. 

In contrast, four respondents said the National Citizen Party's song gave a fresh vibe, sounded more contemporary, and felt closer to the style of modern campaign music. 

As for Khelafat Majlis, older listeners said the lyrics were not very attractive and did not leave a strong impression.

The fact that many young listeners are engaging with these songs, even when they are not loyal to a specific party, says something important about this moment.

For many in the younger generation, music is less about ideology and more about emotion, authenticity, and relatability.

They respond to beat, message, and honesty rather than party history.

The songs they prefer often reflect what they feel.

In contrast, older listeners often gravitate toward familiar melodies, legacy party symbols, or lyrics that echo past political memories.

That difference creates a visible generational gap in how campaign music is received it. It's very striking how these songs continue to shape youth engagement, showing that music is now as much a reflection of their emotions as it is a political tool.