McCain Angers Bands: Heart, Foo Fighters, Van Halen And Others Mad At GOP

This campaign season, Republicans have been using a lot of songs from artists who wouldn't have given permission if asked, and some who have spoken up to ask that their songs not be used in the future.

Here's the No-Thanks-GOP playlist so far:

Van Halen - Right Now

Van Halen management tells us the band had no idea McCain was planning on using "Right Now" during his big entrance in Ohio telling us, "Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given."

Foo Fighters - My Hero

"The saddest thing about this is that `My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," the band said in a statement. "To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

Jackson Browne - Running on Empty

If the whole episode strikes a nostalgic tone, it's because famous musical artists and Republican presidential candidates have butted heads in the past. Bruce Springsteen publicly complained when Ronald Reagan used "Born in the U.S.A" during his campaign in 1984.

Heart - Barracuda

...the Wilsons condemned the usage, adding that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to the McCain-Palin campaign, according to CNN. "We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music,'' the group said in a statement.

Orleans - Still the One

Proving that campaign vetting should extend beyond vice presidential contenders (or those vetting the potential veeps), McCain sparked the ire of the song's co-writer, the founding member of Orleans and current New York congressman, John Hall.

Frankie Valli - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

Warner Music Group (WMG) appears to have demanded that YouTube remove "Obama Love," a montage of press fawning over Sen. Barack Obama that had been posted on Sen. John McCain's official YouTube channel. "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Warner Music Group," says a message on YouTube.

Comments

[Barrybear97]

The funny thing is they don't check the lyrics before using a song. The song Barracuda by HEART was played after McCain's acceptance speech at the RNC. Sarah Palin's knick name is Sarah Barracuda. One line in the song is: "If the real thing don't do the trick, You better make up something quick". How appropriate considering the suddenness of her selection as McCain's running mate.

[Horus]

I'm by no means a fan of the GOP...but screw these musicians. I don't make music for one type of person or just my friends and like-minded folks. If anyone needs to hear every note and every word of my songs, its my enemies.

[CaliTLC]

Not surprising as they are THIEVISH. They are brazen in their open violation of federal laws in order to get into the White House. Unbelievable.

[spooky1966]

You should have a larger grasp of music licensing to understand what is going on here. An organization such as ASCAP manages the rights and royalties of the music and pays who needs to be paid. Often, artists sell the licensing rights and retain the royalty rights to their music because companies such as ASCAP can maintain and manage the licensing and payment for the music's use. If the musician sells the right to maintain the distribution, such as the Beatles did with Micheal Jackson, then the Beatles Revolution ends up in a NIKE commercial and the artist has no say in it whatsoever.

So boo hoo Van Halen. Cry all the way to the bank, you've been paid for the use.

[curtiskleen]

You are missing the point spooky. This is about artists who were inspired to write timeless songs who never in a thousand years could have imagined their work would be used by the cronies at the republican convention-not the money or rights.

[mouselion]

Assuming Van Halen's songs are ASCAP, then wouldn't it mean that the RNC would have to obtain permission from at least ASCAP?

If what you are saying is true, then why must movie producers seek permission to use a song in a movie? Wouldn't theme songs for a convention be the same?

My impression is that it is different for playing a song on the radio than it is for using one in a movie or a television show, although I don't know.

[mouselion]

Elmo See Profile I'm a Fan of Elmo I'm a fan of this user permalink

"if they've paid for their ascap license they get to play the music, just like a bar or a skating rink. using it for an ad is a different level of use, and requires permission."

I think this speaks to my question. . .

[Mattjoe]

Hey, if the administration can protect every complicit Republican from GeorgeDick to Karl Rove, from FEMA to the puppet Sakasvilli from prosecution, they sure as hell can protect themselves from mere Copyright infringement.

I’m surprised they didn’t use the Tragically Hip’s ‘New Orleans Is Sinking’

[Aramingo]

Did the DNC get any complaints about that Brooks & Dunn song? "Only in America" was the title, if memory serves me correctly.

[mbohlm]

How very funny that the chosen songwriters disown the party.

[guntotinganglion]

Just more stealing from the party of Steal and Spend.

[leb32]

I liked the music at the convention. I agree it is not the typical music you might associate with the Republican party, but I thought it was awesome!! But they should have gotten permission, if indeed it is required. I think Gretchen Wilson's version of Barracuda blows the original version out of the water!! She also sang at the RNCC. Again, I was totally surpirsed by that.

[guntotinganglion]

Indeed, it IS required. And, it is something one can be sued for. And they didn't ask, because they knew what the answer would be...and I quote Senator Ted Stevens....NO!!!

OH NO...FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT!!!!

TRIAL LAWYER ALERT TRIAL LAWYER ALERT TRIAL LAWYER ALERT TRIAL LAWYER ALERT!!!!

[HTN]

When did they abide by the law that they should follow up now?
.

[Ivygreen]

Each of these artists should write a song about McCain/Palin, the war, the economy, environment, etc. and distribute it for free online, like John Legend did with his song about Barack.

[HTN]

Great Idea!
Seriously...let's create a petition and send them the proposal.
.

[Elmo]

if they've paid for their ascap license they get to play the music, just like a bar or a skating rink. using it for an ad is a different level of use, and requires permission.

[CL696]

You must turn up some dirt on Palin this site is really beginning to suck.
Boring...s­noooozer..­.wake us when you start reporting again.

[HTN]

Copy Right Laws are extremely serious matter for everyone that works in the more than Trillion Dollar creative industries. So, I would not dismiss this news. However, you are correct in that we need to pursue more serious issues ...
.

[CL696]

Agree

[Manifestress]

I was at the McCain/Palin rally on Saturday night in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I had wondered WHY a chain of events led me there (and my husband was covering it with photography).

Then, Eric Johnson's song "Zap" from his 1987 album "Tones" came on the loud speakers.

I am a HUGE Eric Johnson fan, and respect him both as a songwriter and virtuoso guitarist, and also as a person. I was shocked to hear his music in this type of venue. I do not associate him with anything political, and know him to be a spiritual person and also a meditator.

I immediately sent emails to his website and other addresses I could find.

I know now that my Higher Purpose in being there was to identify his instrumental music. I doubt that there was anyone else in the venue of 6,000 who would have known or cared.

[pmag88]

I remember a readers digest article from the late 70's where they listed the music industry as being among the most powerful in America. Right up there with steel and oil. What happened ?