John Mellencamp To McCain: Stop Playing My Songs!

Rolling Stone:

At some recent John McCain campaign rallies, John Mellencamp's "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" have been booming out over the speakers. Uplifting heartland rock must have seemed like a smart pick, but there's just one problem: Mellencamp is an ardent Democrat. And, until recently, he supported John Edwards - who had been playing "Our Country" and "Small Town" at his rallies. Mellencamp hasn't yet made a public response, but his reps are quietly reaching out to McCain and asking him to stop playing his tunes. (McCain's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

Not to mention that the far-right types whose votes McCain is seeking won't love the mildly progressive lyrics to "Our Country," which call on the government to "help the poor and common man" and suggest that "there's room enough here for science to live/ And there's room enough here for religion to forgive."

Read the whole story: Rolling Stone

Comments

[butchie65]

08:53 AM on 02/08/2008

I say let McCrazy use it. When the people start listening to the words, maybe they will go to the other side. I agree with another poster to use Brooks and Dunn music, their Republicans. Love your music JM !

[martinchill]

03:24 AM on 02/08/2008

"We're pleased that General Motors will serve as the Official Vehicle Provider for the 2008 Republican National Convention," said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino. "GM and the Republican National Convention have enjoyed a strong partnership for the last seven conventions, and we look forward to working with GM once again to keep our convention moving smoothly.

~~

cougar said, 'sorry, johnny mac, but my ass belongs to chevy.'

[askmeificare]

11:14 PM on 02/07/2008

If Mellon Cougarcamp owns the rights to the songs Juan McAmnesy is using, he has a legitimate gripe.

If not, please sit down and shut up singer-man.

[SaintN]

10:12 PM on 02/06/2008

Mr.Mellonhead ask yourself this:Just when has a popular song has ever done anything in a presidential election except help to elect another "Corporate Whore" to the White House who used democratic sounding slogans,proverbs,songs etc. purposely as a brilliant disguise to once again fool,the admittedly stupid,American public!

[degjack]

07:59 PM on 02/06/2008

What a slap in the face! How embarrassing.

I'm with you, John M -- I wouldn't want that old warmonger capitalizing off my art either!

[Joeyjackal]

02:12 PM on 02/06/2008

McCain must have moved on from Beach Boys-inspired "Bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb, bomb Iran {repeat refrain}. Didn't he recently repeat four times in succession that there will be more wars. If you think draft-dodging Air Reserve Dubya was dangerous, just wait until a 70+ former prisoner of war uses the un-Constitutional tools of an unitary executive that Bush and Cheney leave behind.

[Grulg]

07:52 AM on 02/06/2008

McCain should stick to Toby Keith....

[TheWesternBreed]

02:26 AM on 02/06/2008

To tell you the truth, I have wondered from the go just how the opening bass line from "Ohio" by The Pretenders got to be the intro music for Rush Limbaugh's radio show. I mean, even if it's making money for Chrissy Hynde somehow, she has to despise Limbaugh and everything he stands for. I've wondered to myself if a contract was signed before Hynde or whoever owns the rights had any idea just what kind of show it was going to be.

[TheWesternBreed]

02:23 AM on 02/06/2008

I remember the same situation from years ago. The advance people for one of the Republican candidates--Reagan, the first Bush, Dole?--can't remember any more--kept warming up crowds with amplified recordings of Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." until Springsteen got word to them to quit doing so. As I recall, Bruce's comment was along the lines of "Don't they even listen to the f--king words?"

[Eric8869]

12:05 AM on 02/06/2008

Maybe McCain should be playing "hurts so good" at his rallies since he's planning on having us fight this war for the next 100 years.

[Obamapalooza]

10:44 PM on 02/05/2008

He better start playing Brookes and Dunn if he wants to get Huckabee off his ass.

[edgemo]

08:47 PM on 02/05/2008

If I recall, RayGun tried to co-opt 'Pink Houses' for his campaign, and Mellencamp shut him down too.

[charlot]

07:43 PM on 02/05/2008

I have read more than a few comments following that article, and I am truly appalled at how ignorant---no, STUPID---those people are. It is truly mind-boggling to me that people in the Midwest and South STILL have such idiotic opinions on such serious matters. I get the impression that they read nothing but bumper stickers (if they read at all), listen to nothing but Rush Limbaugh, and hear nothing but sound bites on morning radio.
I am scared. I have never been so scared. I am not as scared of terrorism, I am not as scared of immigrants, I am not as scared of...well, pretty much anything but this horrific administration and its redneck, idiotic, kick-their-ass, war-mongering gang of followers who are far too stupid to see that they continue to support people who would fuck them over in a heartbeat. We are living under an administration that thrives on the stupidity of the masses, and the stupid are, of course, all too happy to live up to the challenge.
Welcome to our nightmare.

[kellygrrrl]

07:01 PM on 02/05/2008

seriously! John Mellencamp is about as far away from Rethug as you can get. He should SUE the war mongerer

[SmootyBooty]

06:20 PM on 02/05/2008

How phony can McCain get? I think we're about to find out.
I pity republics.