OT: Heart Asks McCain To Cease Using Music
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 12:45 amhttp://www.popeater.com/music/article/b ... 1200520883
Heart Attacks McCain Over 'Barracuda'
(Sept. 5) - Seventies rock group Heart is furious with John McCain for bucking a request to stop using their hit, "Barracuda," and is puzzled by the use of a song about "soulless" executives as the theme for his running mate, Sarah Palin.
"I feel completely [expletive'd] over," the band's Nancy Wilson told EW on Thursday night after their song was played following McCain's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. According to TMZ -- which broke the scandal, the band has filed a cease and desist order.
The tune was first played as a theme song for Palin, and the band acted swiftly. The band promptly issued a statement asking the campaign to stop use their music. "We hope our wishes will be honored," the band said. Tough luck. Following McCain's speech on Thursday night, what pumped through the speaker system? That's right ... "Barracuda."
"Sarah Barracuda" is Palin's high school nickname.
Nancy and her sister Ann issued the following statement to EW following the speech:
"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."
Palin On The Trail
This is just the latest musical "no way" for McCain. In the early stages of his campaign, John Mellencamp ordered that they stop using his tune 'My Country.' In August, Jackson Browne got riled up when Ohio Rebublicans used his song 'Running on Empty' in an Obama attack ad. "In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong commitment to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the misappropriation of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible," his lawyer said. Van Halen is another band that doesn't want their music used in the campaign. Their (possibly worst) song "Right Now" was used as the uplifting finale to last week's rally announcing Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. "Permission was not sought or granted, nor would it have been given," the band's spokesman told TMZ.
Expect a similar reaction from the Halen brothers (so much for proofreading)if Obama were to use their music as well. "Van Halen are not political, they're just rock and roll." Right-leaning pop musicians can be hard to come by, leaving few safe choices for Republicans on the campaign trail. Political Machine pointed out a few GOP-friendly stars whose songs could possibly be cued up without objection: Donny Osmond, Ted Nugent, Gene Simmons, Kid Rock and Wayne Newton. (PopEater respectfully suggests "Cat Scratch Fever" by Sweaty Teddy)
John from Boston
Heart Attacks McCain Over 'Barracuda'
(Sept. 5) - Seventies rock group Heart is furious with John McCain for bucking a request to stop using their hit, "Barracuda," and is puzzled by the use of a song about "soulless" executives as the theme for his running mate, Sarah Palin.
"I feel completely [expletive'd] over," the band's Nancy Wilson told EW on Thursday night after their song was played following McCain's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. According to TMZ -- which broke the scandal, the band has filed a cease and desist order.
The tune was first played as a theme song for Palin, and the band acted swiftly. The band promptly issued a statement asking the campaign to stop use their music. "We hope our wishes will be honored," the band said. Tough luck. Following McCain's speech on Thursday night, what pumped through the speaker system? That's right ... "Barracuda."
"Sarah Barracuda" is Palin's high school nickname.
Nancy and her sister Ann issued the following statement to EW following the speech:
"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."
Palin On The Trail
This is just the latest musical "no way" for McCain. In the early stages of his campaign, John Mellencamp ordered that they stop using his tune 'My Country.' In August, Jackson Browne got riled up when Ohio Rebublicans used his song 'Running on Empty' in an Obama attack ad. "In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong commitment to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the misappropriation of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible," his lawyer said. Van Halen is another band that doesn't want their music used in the campaign. Their (possibly worst) song "Right Now" was used as the uplifting finale to last week's rally announcing Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. "Permission was not sought or granted, nor would it have been given," the band's spokesman told TMZ.
Expect a similar reaction from the Halen brothers (so much for proofreading)if Obama were to use their music as well. "Van Halen are not political, they're just rock and roll." Right-leaning pop musicians can be hard to come by, leaving few safe choices for Republicans on the campaign trail. Political Machine pointed out a few GOP-friendly stars whose songs could possibly be cued up without objection: Donny Osmond, Ted Nugent, Gene Simmons, Kid Rock and Wayne Newton. (PopEater respectfully suggests "Cat Scratch Fever" by Sweaty Teddy)
John from Boston
