My favorite back story in those whole campaign so far is that John McCain and the Republicans keep stealing songs and then, when they're found out, are being told to cease and desist.
This sort of thing has a long history. Springsteen told Reagan to stop using Born in the U.S.A. back in the 80s. Reagan, apparently, never took the time to read the lyrics.
McCain has been told to stop using music by John Mellencamp (Pink Houses), Jackson Brown (Running on Empty), Frankie Valli (Can't Take My Eyes Off You), ABBA (Take a Chance on Me), Orleans (Still the One), and Chuck Berry (Johnny B. Goode). In every instance the music was used without the artist's permission, and famous liberal activist Jackson Brown sued the McCain camp over copyright infringement for their use of his classic 70s song in a campaign ad. The slight by ABBA was probably the toughest for McCain to swallow considering his undying devotion to the jumpsuit-wearing Swedish pop quartet.
That will leave McCain's campaign with few and fewer alternatives when it comes to pumping music into the Republican National Convention's convention hall, much less firming up a signature song of their own. Even country star Toby Keith, who's best known for his ultra-patriotic song Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue has announced his intention to vote for Obama.
Who's left? Christian singers and bands of course, but who can name even one? Or want to? Country stars? Travis Tritt and Billy Ray Cyrus both supported Bush. But how much Achey-Breaky Heart can we listen to? Apparently Billy Ray's famous 15-year old daughter Miley (aka Hannah Montana, for those of you without a young daughter) has supposedly also endorsed McCain. That being the case, perhaps Miley may want to loan out her new angst-ridden-teenage-girl anthem, Seven Things. It'd certainly be apt. The refrain is:
The seven things I hate about you
You're vain
Your games
You're insecure
You love me, you like her
You make me laugh, you make me cry,
I don't know which side to buy
Your friends, they're jerks
When you act like them, just know it hurts
I want to be with the one I know
And the seventh thing
I hate the most that you do
You make me love you