The Long History Of Musicians Telling Republicans To Stop Playing Their Music

[Capt. Obvious]

....

1. Springsteen objected to Reagan’s use of the song “Born in the U.S.A.” during the 1984 election.

2. Reagan also got dinged in 1984 by John Cougar Mellencamp for “Pink Houses.”

3. Bobby McFerrin objected to George H.W. Bush using the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” in 1988.

4. Sam & Dave objected to Bob Dole using the song “Soul Man” in 1996.

5. Springsteen objected to Dole using “Born in the U.S.A.” in 1996.

6. Mellencamp didn’t grant any more leeway to George W. Bush than to Reagan. Mellencamp complained when Bush used “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” in 2000.

7. Tom Petty objected to Bush using the song “I Won’t Back Down” in 2000.

8. That same election, Sting objected to Bush using “Brand New Day.”

9. In a rare bit of bipartisanship in 2000, Sting also objected to Al Gore using “Brand New Day.”

10. John Hall of the band Orleans objected to Bush using the song “Still the One” during his re-election campaign in 2004.

11. Boston objected to Mike Huckabee using “More Than a Feeling” in 2008.

12. Van Halen objected to John McCain using “Right Now” in 2008.

13. Mellencamp is back! He complained about McCain using “Our Country” in 2008.

14. In the same election, Mellencamp had a problem with McCain using the song “Pink Houses.”

15. Heart objected to McCain using “Barracuda.”

16. Jackson Browne objected to McCain using “Running on Empty.”

17. Bon Jovi objected to McCain using “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

18. The Foo Fighters stopped McCain from playing “My Hero.”

19. Tom Petty objected to McCain using “I Won’t Back Down.”

20. ABBA complained about McCain using “Take a Chance on Me.”

21. Sam Moore of Sam & Dave objected to Barack Obama using “Hold On, I’m Coming” during the 2008 election.

22. Survivor objected to Newt Gingrich using the song “Eye of the Tiger” in 2012.

23. Gingrich also was dinged by The Heavy for “How You Like Me Now.”

24. Also in 2012, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister objected to Mitt Romney using “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

25. Silversun Pickups stopped Romney from playing “Panic Switch.”

26. K’Naan objected to Romney using the song “Wavin’ Flag.”

27. Survivor objected to Romney using “Eye of the Tiger.”

28. Tom Petty complained about Michele Bachmann using “American Girl” in 2012.

29. Katrina and the Waves objected to Bachmann playing “Walking on Sunshine.”

30. And finally, now we have Young’s complaint about Trump’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Note that, according to my research, only twice have Democrats been asked to stop using a song.

538

You'd think they'd just go ahead and play nothing but Meatloaf.

[MohRokTah]

1. You took the words right out of my mouth...

[demmiblue]

2. Ah... Meatloaf:

[liberal N proud]

3. Republican arrogance thinks they are entitled to use whatever they want.

[LeftinOH]

4. They will play whatever music they want...until

the musician/songwriter finally calls 'foul'. It's very likely that the Republican operators are fully aware of the need to acquire permission ...but they also know that they can use a song a few times *for free* until they are caught.

[SoCalDem]

8. and that the media will show their event over and over when they report on misuse

GOP are craven thieves.

[SamKnause]

5. Thanks for posting.

[TlalocW]

6. There's just so many times that you can play

"Proud to Be an American" or something from Kid Rock. Or Meatloaf as pointed out above.

Sarah Palin also got dinged by the songwriter, Gretchen Peter, for using, "Independence Day," sung by Martina McBride.

What's more, a lot of these songs' messages are not what they would agree with or endorse.

Born in the USA and Rockin' in the Free World are critical of America.
Barracuda was written in response to their record label starting a rumor that the Wilson sisters were in an incestuous lesbian relationship
Independence Day is about an abused woman.
American Girl is incorrectly rumored to be about a girl who commits suicide, but you probably shouldn't take a chance.

TlalocW

[Snobblevitch]

7. What amazes me is that people,

including Republican, and even Democratic candidates can use copywrited music without paying royalties. If a piece of copywrited music is played to a public audience, rayalty fees must be paid.

[PowerToThePeople]

9. They could play Ted Nugent maybe?

[Capt. Obvious]

10. Craps Pants Fever?

[tularetom]

11. Gee, they have so many talented musicians on their side

Not only Meatloaf, but Hank Williams Jr, Ted Nugent, Charlie Daniels…

Actually Charlie Daniels is a pretty good musician but still an incredible dumbass.

[3catwoman3]

12. I don't recall if there were any objections from the composer, but a favorite...

...Republican musical moment for me was the Bush-Quayle nomination acceptance when they were on stage to the strains of one of the signature songs from La Cage Aux Folles. I figured that neither the Bushes nor the Quayles had seen that play.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

13. "So many wars, settlin' scores, Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,

I heard them say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that's what they say

But look how they treat us, make us believers
We fight their battles, then they deceive us

Try to control us, they couldn't hold us
'Cause we just move forward like Buffalo soldiers"



Yeah, 'cause that was the Rmoney campaign theme right there. These assholes really don't pay attention to the songs they use, do they.

[Runningdawg]

14. Try the beach boys

GOP, their politics seem to match yours. Or maybe just some Wagner....

[olddots]

15. what about Cool & The Gangs song Celebrate ?????

used by all white goobers prancing around at convention time .

This really sickens me watching people who hate music and dancing bobbing around on stage because they can destroy whats left of culture .