There’s an Obama button pinned on my heart, but no matter which candidate you support for president, you’ve got to admit that the upcoming election will shake things up. Either way, one of America’s top political offices will be held by someone who isn’t a white man. For the first time, a person of color or a woman is going to be running the show.

I find this heartening. I mean, I think McCain’s choice of the meagerly qualified Alaskan governor is just a kneejerk reaction to the recent success of the Democratic Party, but still… If the incumbent party even slightly believes that it must endorse a female politician to stay powerful, then much has changed ’round these parts.

I am glad minorities and/or women are central on both tickets.  Granted, I disagree with almost everything that Sarah Palin believes, but I still see flashes of inclusion and hope illuminating her entrance on the national stage.

And I’ve been waiting for those flashes. I’ve wanted to believe that America can make more room for those who don’t fit the standard image of “correctness.” Now, I feel that my patience is being rewarded.

All of which leads me to this week’s theme: If you want a soundtrack that reaffirms the value of patience, then Crank That Hit!:

(Crank it up… after the jump)

(1) “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – This song seems like an obvious hit, right? With its lazy, sexy vibe; Jason Mraz’s undeniable cuteness; and its beyond-catchy chorus? Yet it has taken the tune six months to catch on. Now, however, it finally looks poised to become Mr. A-Z’s first-ever top ten hit in the United States. (Obviously, the guys in Sheriff embody this concept as well.)

(2) “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston — If you know this song, you probably know the part where Thelma Houston hollers out, “Baby! My heart is full of love and desire for you!” But that part comes way late in the song. If you’re dancing at a wedding, you have to shuffle in places for ages before you finally get to break it down. (Trust me.)

But then… when the awesome part comes… you’ll forget you were ever standing still.

(3) “Patience” by Guns ‘n Roses — Speaking of patience, is there anyone left who’s anxiously awaiting Chinese Democracy? I mean, it’s great that a single from the album is going to be in Rock Band 2, but really… there’s patience, and then there’s lunacy. Eventually, you have to give up something like this, because it’s not like the album will signify some great shift in the culture. And most likely, it’ll just disappoint the three guys who have been rocking their Axl headbands every day since 1993… hoping this will be the week.

But on the other hand, the song “Patience” is really good.

(4) “Every Heartbeat” by Amy Grant — You might be thinking, “What? Are you crazy?” But here’s the deal: When I was in seventh grade, my dad took me to see the last show in Amy Grant’s historic Heart in Motion Tour, and it was my first concert. Ever! (Not counting the time my parents dragged me to see Ray Stevens.)

Despite growing up in Chattanooga, I didn’t know that Amy Grant had started her career as a Christian singer. All I knew was that she was an awesome pop star with awesome pop songs, and I was dying to see her live. The weeks between getting the tickets and seeing the show were death and life all at once. But I held on. I was patient. And the show rocked.

I got the flu the morning after the concert, but no matter. For me, Amy Grant is still a symbol of what you can gain if you endure anticipation.

(Fun side note: My grandmother thought this video was wildly inappropriate. Good thing my cousins and I only watched VH-1 when she was around. Imagine what she would have thought about MTV!)

(5) Your turn! — Which songs embody the value of patience in your life?