“Stop Using My Song, Republicans!”: A Guide to Disgruntled Rockers
Photo: Getty
Since 1984, when Bruce Springsteen took umbrage to Ronald Reagan’s use of “Born in the U.S.A.,” there’s been a long history of presidential candidates taking a brow-beating from musicians who don’t want their work used as an endorsement. This election season has been full of rockers getting hot under the collar at the thought of their work being co-opted, so here’s a handy guide to the most disgruntled rockers of ‘08.
Artist: John Mellencamp
Songs: “Our Country,” “Pink Houses”
Controversy: John McCain used the tunes at rallies to underscore his “Country First” message. Mellencamp — who has been an ardent Democrat for years and supported John Edwards during the Democratic primaries by sanctioning his songs for his rallies — asked that McCain cease and desist.
Result: Several days after the request was made, McCain purged Mellencamp from his playlist.
Artist: Boston
Song: “More Than a Feeling”
Controversy: During primary season, one time Republican frontrunner Mike Huckabee capped off many of his events with “More Than a Feeling” — sometimes with former Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau in tow. “More Than a Feeling” writer Tom Scholz took exception to this, penning an open letter to Huckabee that explained his use of the song without his consent implied that Scholz supported his candidacy — not true, considering Scholz had already thrown his endorsement to Barack Obama.
Result: Huckabee’s campaign — and therefore his use of the song — ended shortly thereafter when he conceded the Republican nomination to John McCain.
Artist: Van Halen
Song: “Right Now”
Controversy: McCain used one of the dullest tracks from the Van Hagar era during a televised rally, which attracted the ire of the brothers Van Halen, who released a statement saying “Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given.” Sammy Hagar, the song’s singer and co-writer, doesn’t necessarily support the McCain campaign […]
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