Which rock star is on the cover of this month's RollingStone? Barack Obama

Barack Obama scored his second cover of RollingStone this month.  Inside the mag is an in-depth interview with the senator.  Audio is over here and a few highlights are below. 

What's on Barry's iPod:

An eclectic collection of Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Earth Wind & Fire, Jay-Z, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Howlin' Wolf, Yo Yo Ma, Sheryl Crow, and more.  Get the full scoop on Obama's musical tastes over here.

What gave him "the juice and the confidence" (reporter's words) that he could win the presidency:

Iowa.

Three books that inspired him:

"Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, the tragedies of William Shakespeare and probably Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls."

What he calls Bruce Springsteen:

The Boss, because "you've got to."

How rap has helped desegregate American music:

"By definition, rock & roll is rebel music, which means if it's not being criticized, it's probably not doing its job. I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics, but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music. Music was very segregated back in the Seventies and Eighties -- you'll remember that when MTV first came on, it wasn't until Thriller that they played Michael."

He doesn't play:

"...I don't do cowering. You have to respond forcefully, quickly and truthfully to attacks."

His parting words (to the reporter):

"Ok, brother - take care."