Bon Jovi Mad About Sarah Palin Using His Song

Bon Jovi is mad at Sarah Palin for using their "Who Says You Can't Go Home" song at her rallies. The band joines a list of musical acts including Heart, Jackson Browne, the Foo Fighters and Van Halen that are mad at their songs being used at McCain-Palin events.

TMZ reports:

"We are surprised to hear that our song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" was used by the McCain campaign at rallies yesterday and today. We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'"

Jon Bon Jovi threw a dinner at his home for Obama -- $30,800 a plate.

Comments

[ProgressiveInAZ]

Can't these musicians sue for illegal use of their music?
I mean, I can't use a song without permission to promote a product and that is exactly what these slugs are doing.

[Fedupwithsmears]

Have these Hollywood types ever looked at a poll??? Don't they know they're alienating half the population when they go off half-cocked like this?

[kasinca]

They are not alienating half the population. They are denying half the voters, 50% of the population, which boils down to the same 28% who still support the dubya and McSame.

[ClaudiaJean]

a) Jon Bon Jovi isn't a "hollywood type" -- that's just your kneejerk talking points reaction whenever someone famous does/says something with which you don't agree.
b) Polls mean nothing -- you realize that right? Perhaps some of these celebrities are bright enough to know that polls aren't all they're cracked up to be.
c) Jon Bon Jovi isn't alienating ANYONE -- except people who were never true fans in the first place and/or people who are unable to process the idea of people disagreeing. The man does not use his concert stage to preach his political beliefs. If you go to a Bon Jovi concert you get a Bon Jovi concert, not a political rally. He's spoken out publically, yes. And he's campaigned/performed on the road, yes. But he's been very careful to make it known to everyone (especially his fans) that he can't tell people what to do -- that you are no more or less a fan of his if you don't share his beliefs and at the end of the day, your only obligation is to register to vote and vote on election day.
d) half-cocked? please explain what about a carefully, respectfully statement that makes a legitimate point about a concern of the artist is at all half-cocked?

[bored2tears]

Is there anyone so co-dependent that their enjoyment of an entertainer's work is *really* affected by politics?

And what about the flip side of your weak argument? That being that the other "half" of the population's regard for the entertainer would increase.

That being said, I will certainly boycott the works of Chuck Norris and Larry the Cable Guy. Oh, wait ... I've never bought any of their stuff anyway.

[TheGuide]

I find it interesting how McCain's people keep using people's music without their permission. So intrusive and bold, not to mention disrespectful especially when these singers are pulling for the other guy.

[Indie2008]

I think the Hank Jr. "Rowdy Friends" rework suits McCain / Palin and their crowds much better. In fact the GOP should adopt it as their anthem. It seems to represent the new "classy" GOP

[strifeknot]

Jon, if you didn't write such lousy songs, people couldn't use them.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

Jon, get in line. I have already gone to the Obamma camp to let them know how McCain has violated copyright infringement. I have gone to the head of the music industry to urge them to to a court case against McCain that lists all of the bands whom he stole lyrics from. That was federal laws he broke, not just minor traffic tickets. The GOP must be told enough is enough.

[rbenjamin]

The free market GOP seems to have a problem with the notion of intellectual property. Maybe it's the intellectual part that puts 'em off.

[gifu]

Damn those elitists and their...their....property!!

[trambusto]

How funny, the party that protects big business and corporate interests seems to be above copyright infingement, trademark violations, and other intellectual property rights (IPR) laws. At the same time, the Bush Administration is pushing forward to further enhance enforcement of IPR.

I guess, for something as mundane as a campaign song that nobody will remember in a year, if you're really too lazy to get permission from the artist or the label to use it, you could always go with the public domain songs. Who wouldn't want to see Sarah "Barracuda" Palin come storming onto the stage with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" blaring out of the speakers?

[rbenjamin]

It's not just an isolated incident. The McCain campaign just keeps ripping off artists until said artists lawyers file cease and desist. Shameful lack of respect on McCain's part. Palin's part too. Ever hear of royalties? ASCAP? Mavericks my fanny. The GOP gang are cattle rustlers.

[Clayton139]

I have bought all of there music for years ! I do not BLAME these entire great artists...! I would be angry too if; I didn't back the Campaigns that play there music ! Campaigns should get permission or a license from these (GREAT) Artist !

[Schnides]

I want to write a film called "Hypo-Bloggers08". It will be a comedy of course based on how funny some of your are :). Good thing it wasn't Bruce Springtein's song they played and then he whined about. Some of us might have just ended our life from the crushing pain.

[Jeff1958]

There's still time ; )

[monicaangela]

Unless you're as old as McCain or as finished as Palin.

[collprof]

I'm telling you guys. McCain and the GOP are planning doom. They are pulling out all the stops. They have lawyers in Ohio on this Acorn crap and they are trying to overturn voter registration. They are doing it in Florida as well. If they can't win one way they will try all of them as they have before. And if you think Rove is not behind half the plans then you are wrong.

Continue to canvass. This is not over until 11/5/2008. We cannot let an angry old man into the White House with Plain as his sidekick. One in 3 chances McCain fails during the first term and falls down. Can you imagine Plain running our government? Track, Scooter, or Train will be secretary of something.

And remember this is the first campaign for president of a black and the first campaign for a presidential shotgun wedding. If that pregnant teenager was one of the Obama girls the GOP would be blaming the parents for the sexual activities of a 17 year old girl.

[janmarbol]

Ugh! how can they do that w/o the band's permission?

[piquet]

man it must suck to be so uncool that all you have left is country music...hahahahahahahaha

[Mattyhorn]

Well, their music might suck, but at least their heads are on the right side of history.



(and thanks, Jon, for that time under the bleachers in 1986....)

[sincite]

Maybe Tom Petty will let them use the song "Free Falling" for their campaign.

[marytny]

Jackson Brown's "Running on Empty"

[Jeff1958]

The Grateful Dead's "Hell in a Bucket"

[Jeff1958]

The Grateful Deead's "He|| in a Bucket."

[Sorry if this appears twice - the moderators apparently don't like the name of my favorite band or "that place down under."]

[btanner]

I'm pretty sure Tom Petty wouldn't like that either. Why don't they play a song by some country star who's already on their side like Toby Keith?

[Beowoof]

Palin is too far to the right of Toby Keith who probably supports Obama.

[Insideman]

Or maybe they should use BECK's song "LOSER"

[arizonastudent01]

Go Jon!!!
I think it's because of the hate filled McPainin campaigning that Jon may not like. I don't know it could be something else. Just my two cents.