McCain vs. Heart?

The politicians just can't win when it comes to selecting songs for their campaigns.  Rock stars are flooding the media with complaints that both presidential camps are using their music without permission.  It's like Napster all over again (only on a much bigger scale).

As EW reports, first, Barack Obama chose to use the Brooks & Dunn song, "Only in America" as the out-music for his DNC acceptance speech.  The problem?  Brooks & Dunn played the same song at GW's inauguration speech in 2000.  While some members of the party to the right were less than thrilled by the use of the song, Brooks was philosophical when asked about it.  'You had to endure George Bush using it, so it's only fair that I would have to endure Barack Obama using it.'

But the one taking the brunt of the rock star anger is John McCain.  First, Jackson Browne sued the McCain campaign for using his song, "Running On Empty."  So, McCain switched directions and chose the Van Halen song, "Right Now" as the closing song to introduce his running mate, Sarah Palin.  But guess what?  Van Halen was not so thrilled about the use of their song, either. 

The latest into the all out rock brawl are Ann and Nancy Wilson, the "Heart" gals.  They strenuously objected to the McCain camp using their song "Barracuda" as a theme song for "Barracuda" Palin, and even released a statement to that effect.  "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."

So gone are the days of "Don't Stop" being happily handed out to the Clintons.  My suggestion - either ask the artists before you decide to use their music as a representation of things they may not believe in OR go public domain.  I hear "Stars and Stripes Forever" is available.