(Dropkick Murphys hate Gov. Scott Walker)
Good Day World!
What ever happened to asking?
Seems like politicians don’t understand what getting permission means, especially when it comes to using musical hits to promote their campaigns.
Examples:
* The punk band the Dropkick Murphys tweeted to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to stop using the 2005 song 'I'm Shipping Up to Boston', which was penned with folk singer Woody Guthrie.
“Please stop using our music in any way...we literally hate you !!! Love, Dropkick Murphys
* In kicking off his Republican campaign for president, real estate tycoon Donald Trump took the stage Tuesday to the Neil Young classic "Rockin' in the Free World." But a statement later released by Young's longtime manager said the blustery billionaire wasn't free to use that song.
* In 2000, Tom Petty told George W. Bush to back down from using his 1989 hit 'I Won't Back Down.' Petty's music publisher sent a letter demanding the then-presidential candidate to stop using it at rallies because it gave "the impression that you and your campaign have been endorsed by Tom Petty, which is not true."
* Tom Petty also didn't appreciate Michele Bachmann using another one of his songs when she was running for president in 2011. Bachmann strode onto stage at one rally with the 1977 song "American Girl" playing. Petty's team later sent her campaign a cease and desist letter, Rolling Stone magazine reported.
* Sarah Palin made her entrance at the 2008 Republican National Convention to Heart's 1977 hit – Barracuda. But sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were quick to pounce when the former vice presidential candidate used it.
* Palin's 2008 running mate, John McCain, got into his own clash with a prominent artist when John Mellencamp asked him not to use his 2007 song. (McCain's slogan at the time was, "Country First.")
The questions begs;
Has there ever been a Democratic candidate who was asked to stop using a song in their campaign?
The only one I know of is President Obama.
In February 2008, soul music legend Sam Moore told Obama to stop playing the Sam and Dave song “Hold On, I’m Comin’.” The then-candidate’s team had been blasting the tune at rallies without Moore’s permission,and some audience members had been adopting their preferred lyrics: “Hold on, Obama’s comin’.”
Moore’s gracious letter wished Obama well with his campaign for the Democratic nomination, adding:
“Having been hit with rocks and water hoses in the streets, in the day with Dr. King as part of his artist appearance and fundraising team, it is thrilling, in my lifetime, to see that our country has matured to the place where it is no longer an impossibility for a man of color to really be considered as a legitimate candidate for the highest office in our land.”
But please, Moore continued, stop using my song. “I have not agreed to endorse you for the highest office in our land....My vote is a very private matter between myself and the ballot box.”
Time for me to walk on down the road…