Sunday, May. 28, 2006

These Songs Rock Their World

By Clayton Neuman

What a trip that Condoleezza Rice is! She recently told Bono, "I loved acid rock in college--and I still do." What else gets a Secretary of State grooving? TIME looked at Rice's eclectic playlist and asked her predecessors to name their top tunes. Can you match the Secretaries and their music of choice?

A. Hello Darlin' Conway Twitty Twitty was known in country circles as "the best friend a song ever had." His tune was the best song this cowboy diplomat ever heard.

B. Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen Ring of Fire Johnny Cash New World Symphony Antonin Dvorak Narrowing the list was hard for this music lover, who favors good beats and patriotic themes.

C. Some Enchanted Evening South Pacific It's Bali Ha'i times for this romantic--the show tune was the theme song at the former foreign policy adviser's 1997 engagement party. D. Sunshine of Your Love Cream Rocket Man Elton John Cream provides the workout music for this Secretary of Sweat, while Rocket Man is a reminder of college, old friends and a first love.

E. Laura David Raskin The title tune from the 1944 film became one of the most recorded songs of all time. This ex-Secretary, who calls it a "hauntingly beautiful ballad," first heard it as a Navy officer on leave during World War II.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE Bush Administration, 2005-present

MADELEINE ALBRIGHT Clinton Administration, 1997-2001

JAMES BAKER III Bush Administration, 1989-92

WARREN CHRISTOPHER Clinton Administration, 1993-97

GEORGE SHULTZ Reagan Administration, 1982-89

Answers: Condoleezza Rice, D; Madeleine Albright, B; Warren Christopher, E; James Baker III, A; George Shultz, C