Obama goes on the record at last ... about what's on his iPod

'I have pretty eclectic tastes,' the Democratic presidential contender tells U.S. magazine Rolling Stone.

Growing up in the '70s, he listened to the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire, he explains.

Stevie Wonder is his musical hero from the era. The Stones' 'Gimme Shelter' tops his favorites from the band.

He gets their vote: Barack Obama appears on the July issue of Rolling Stone magazine

The Illinois senator's playlist contains these musicians, along with about 30 songs from Dylan and the singer's "Blood on the Tracks" album.

Jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are also in the mix.

'Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,'' Obama said of one of Dylan's tracks.

'It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.'

In the song, Dylan sings about trying be himself, "but everybody wants you to be just like them."

Several musicians on Obama's iPod support his bid for the White House, including Bruce Springsteen.

Legendary songwriter Bob Dylan and rapper Jay-Z are two of Obama's favourite artists on his iPod

Earlier this month, Dylan told a newspaper that he believes Obama is redefining
politics in the United States and could deliver change to a nation in upheaval.

'I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable,' Obama said. 'Those guys are icons.'

Obama said he hasn't met Springsteen, but the two have talked over the phone.

'Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person,' Obama said. 'He is a guy who has never lost track of his roots, who knows who he is, who has never put on a front.'

And did he address him as the Boss?

As well as Sheryl Cole, Obama is a fan of Bruce Springsteen - 'Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person', Obama said.

'You've got to,' the candidate said.

Asked what he thought of rap, Obama said the genre has broken down barriers within the music world, though he's concerned about his daughters - Malia, nine, and Sasha, seven - listening to it.

'I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics,' he said, 'but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music.'

He said hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris were 'great talents and great businessmen.'

'It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves,' he added.

Obama appears on the cover of the magazine, which endorsed him for president in March.