Many musicians don’t mind having their music played during political rallies. In some cases it can lead to more record sales and royalties. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie was fine when former President Bill Clinton opted to make her song “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” his campaign song and slogan—even though McVie claimed to be nonpartisan. Not since Franklin D. Roosevelt used “Happy Days Are Here Again” had a campaign song make such a splash. More than not, artists are happy for the exposure.
Over the last three decades, Republican candidates seem to feel they can take/use whatever music they please. And lately more and more artists, bands, and songwriters are voicing objections, demanding Republican politicians and pundits stop using songs without permission. Many artists do not want their music aligned with “Grand Old Party” ideology and extremism. So the infringing Republicans are notified of their usage blunders sometimes respectfully, sometimes angrily, and sometimes via an artist’s attorney.
The most recent objection by a well-known musician was by Adele this past week. The top-selling, Grammy-winning, record-breaking artist told Donald Trump he did not have permission to use the 27-year-old’s music. Trump has been playing Adele’s, “Rolling In The Deep” during campaign rallies.
Below is a list of 25 artists who’ve had rumbles with Republican candidates over the unapproved use of songs. With eight of these artists, statements issued by their teams or quotes by the artist themselves are included. Some are snippy, some are spicy, and some are downright NSFW. The list begins with “the Boss,” who had one of the very first conflicts with a Republican candidate over a song.
Ronald Reagan’s use of Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” during his reelection bid in 1984 was wrong for two reasons. One, he didn’t have permission. And two, “Born in the U.S.A.” is a song of sorrow and protest, lamenting the loss of American ideals, making it the polar opposite of the fist-pumping, jingoistic anthem Reagan and his handlers believed it to be. —Jeff Royer
2. Sting — George W. Bush
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why Sting wouldn’t want his music associated with the Bush Republican presidential campaign,” says a source close to Sting
3. Heart — Sarah Palin
“Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.”=
“Please stop using our music in any way... We literally hate you!!!” — Love, Dropkick Murphys (on Twitter)
On Facebook Dropkick Murphys posted: “The stupidity and irony of this is laughable. A Wisconsin Republican U.S. Senate candidate - and crony of anti-Union Governor Scott Walker - using a Dropkick Murphys song as an intro is like a white supremacist coming out to gangsta rap!” The band added, “We stand beside our Union and Labor brothers and sisters and their families in Wisconsin and all over the U.S!” –DKM
5. Adele — Donald Trump — “Rolling In The Deep”
“Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning,” Adele's spokesperson told the Independent.
"Peter was appalled to learn that his music was linked to Rush Limbaugh's extraordinary attack on Sandra Fluke," says a statement on Gabriel's Facebook page.
"It is obvious from anyone that knows Peter's work that he would never approve such a use. He has asked his representatives to make sure his music is withdrawn and especially from these unfair aggressive and ignorant comments."
Young, who was born in Toronto, Canada, lives on a ranch in California. In a statement, the singer-songwriter said: "Donald Trump was not authorised to use Rockin' In The Free World in his presidential candidacy announcement." The statement went on to say that the Canadian citizen supports Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent and one of the most outspoken liberals in Congress, in his campaign for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.
“Paul Ryan's love of Rage Against the Machine is amusing, because he is the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades.”
“I wonder what Ryan's favorite Rage song is? Is it the one where we condemn the genocide of Native Americans? The one lambasting American imperialism? Our cover of "Fuck the Police"? Or is it the one where we call on the people to seize the means of production? So many excellent choices to jam out to at Young Republican meetings!”
“Don't mistake me, I clearly see that Ryan has a whole lotta "rage" in him: A rage against women, a rage against immigrants, a rage against workers, a rage against gays, a rage against the poor, a rage against the environment. Basically the only thing he's not raging against is the privileged elite he's groveling in front of for campaign contributions.”
Katrina Leskanich, lead singer of “Katrina & the Waves”, told “Rolling Stone” magazine that the song was “the one constant in my life and the one thing I can count on to bring happiness to myself and others”.
It was “used in commercials and movies as a vehicle for a feel good moment or empowerment but if I disagree with the policies, opinions or platforms for its use, I’ve no choice but to try and defend the song and prevent its misuse”.
10. REM — Donald Trump
"Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you--you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign." —Michael Stipe/REM
11. ABBA — John McCain — “Take a Chance on Me”
Regardless of your politics, can we take a minute and think about how much it must have sucked to be the guy making the playlists for McCain in 2008? ABBA’s objections must have particularly stung — McCain has been very public about his love for ABBA. In 2008, he was asked to list his 10 favorite songs. Two of them were ABBA songs. That is how much John McCain likes ABBA, which is great, because ABBA rules. McCain has great taste in music.
- Survivor — Newt Gingrich — “Eye of the Tiger”
- Rush (The rock band) — Rush Limbaugh (Miscellaneous Rush music)
- John Couger Mellencamp — George W. Bush — “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A”
- Tom Petty — Michele Bachmann — “American Girl”
- Bobby McFerrin — George H.W. Bush — “Don’t Worry Be Happy”
- Boston — Mike Huckabee — “More Than a Feeling”
- The Foo Fighters — John McCain — “My Hero.”
- John Hall/Orleans — George W. Bush — “Still the One”
- Sam & Dave—Bob Dole—“Soul Man”
- Gretchen Peters — Sarah Palin — “Independence Day”
Below is a video clip of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Presidential Campaign Speeches & Election where you can hear “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Good times.
Cheers to all the great artists, musicians, and songwriters who bring their gifts to the world.