'Now wouldnt you, barracuda?'

When will politicians learn? Musicians DO NOT LIKE IT when their anthems are "borrowed" as campaign theme songs.

GOP vice president wannabe Sarah Palin is the latest to incur the wrath. Heart's Nancy and Ann Wilson have e-mailed the John McCain campaign to ask that they stop using "Barracuda" as the theme song for Palin.

In an exclusive statement to Entertainment Weekly, the sisters say: "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. ... 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. ... 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."

Irony in a political campaign? I'm shocked. SHOCKED!

OK, I leave it to you, SIT80s nation, let's pick a song from our beloved '80s to serve as the new theme song for Sarah "Don't call me Sarah Connor" Palin.

Comments

[Douglas Arthur]

How about Look At Their Way by Wall Of Voodoo? If you know the song you'll get a chuckle...

[Al]

If we're going for Irony, 80's Style, then let's pull a Reagan and use "Born in the USA"..........

[chase]

How about the music from the Church Lady's "Superior Dance?"

[Denvermatt]

the repubs...

"Just can't get enough"

for me

"Don't believe the hype" ( for the title)-Public Enemy

For most of America

"Who's that girl"- Madonna

for the unimaginative

"Sara" -Starship

[Deena]

Walk like an Egyptian?

[Jeff from Vegas]

How about "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun" by Julie Brown?

[Miguel]

Maybe "I`m The Dude" by Keith Forsey from The Breakfast Club soundtrack.

What her smile doesn`t hide is her fear of having a "Blue Monday" after the elections.

[Douglas Arthur]

LOL Jeff in Vegas! Perfect! I wish I had thought of that! I have been searching for that song for years, but criminally, I don't think Julie's album was ever released on CD...kinda makes me wish i had pinched it from the student radio station at UB when I DJ'd there....

Ooooh...maybe not necessarily the best for her, but for others more appropriate...making Flippy Floppy by Talking Heads..seems to work for a multitude of candidates on both sides of the aisle...

[Gary in Gilroy]

Speaking of which, this is from the Van Halen blog VHND: "John McCain used a Van Halen song during his big speech earlier today and the band wants to make to make one thing clear — they’re not running with McCain.

Van Halen management tells us the band had no idea McCain was planning on using “Right Now” during his big entrance in Ohio telling us, “Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given.”

[Former Producer Dave]

It's just like kids. "It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask for permission" to use the songs. Rush Limbaugh has been using The Pretenders' "My City Was Gone" as part of his show since 1984. He and Chrissie reached an agreement on his use of the song despite the fact that he didn't ask for a get permission to use it. He ultimately had to pay the royalties to PETA, an organization he used to ridicule by calling it the "People for the Eating of Tasty Animals".

[Rick]

Those rock stars can be precious about their songs, can't they? But how many Country songs can the Republicans mine for grist anyway?

The campaigns don't have to ask for permission any more than a dance club or a radio station does. All they need do is pay a royalty for each time a song is played. Then again any fool, be she Chrissie Hynde or some other, can sue anyone, just like they can sue Limbaugh or any other radio show. But the royalty is the only thing in play other than bad press.

Just ask Bruce Springsteen who HATED that Reagan's campaign used "Born in the USA," but could do nothing about it, lawyers or not.

But let's face it, it's only for another couple of months and a few public appearances. The Wilson Sisters should relax and drink in the resurgence of their sound.

To answer Steve's request though, maybe Sarah could use "Big Country." At least with their lead singer gone (RIP), there's less chance of rancor.

[Douglas Arthur]

I think this is a bit different than a dance club, Rick. The real issue is that by using the songs, the candidates are using them as a subtle form of advertising and making people having an association between the song and the candidate. If the musician and songwriter don't want to have that association, I certainly think it is their right to ask it not be used in that way again.

Songs used for advertising have to have approval first. David Byrne nixed the use of Once in A Lifetime by an insurance company, even though they offered the band a cool million dollars for the privilege. While notoriously protective musician Robert Fripp of King Crimson gave the ok for 21st century Schizoid Man to be used for a commercial in the late 90's because it was a product he used and enjoyed. I won't even mention the obvious cash grab of the Devo "Swiffer" ad.

Bottom line, I think you have to respect the wishes of the artist, even if you don't "legally" have to.

[Bassnote]

How about "It's In The Way You Use It" by Eric Clapton?

A few more:
Lady Of The 80s - Loverboy
She's Got Balls - AC/DC
She's So Cold - The Rolling Stones
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
The Right Profile - The Clash

[don in tulsa]

well said doug, couldn't agree more.

[Clark]

Once again, Douglas nailed it. Anytime an artist's work is used by someone else to make a statement, the artist's minimium obligation is to either support or reject that statement because sometimes that's all they can do...especially in music where ownership of publishing rights is frequently muddy.

As to the question posed, how about the theme song from "King Of The Hill" since she so closely resembles Peggy?

[don in tulsa]

she's a lot better looking than peggy hill. a lot. so i guess she's got that going for her.

[call-sign viper]

Two words- Crazy Train

[Paul Butler]

I can't really improve on Doug's response above. Well said.
Similarly, I can't really improve upon Jeff from Vegas's choice of "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun."

Yeah, I'm useless today.
Nothing to see here.
Move along.

[Rick]

Hey Doug, and friends, I wasn't writing about shoulds, but rather about coulds. I withhold opinion on the should, but Douglas, you're wrong on the could. You might wish it were different, but it's not. Sorry.

Playing a song at a private function, whether that's a dance club, a wedding, or a gathering for political purposes, isn't advertising. And the fact that the Media shows up to videotape said event doesn't make it advertising.

Finally, if you think that Sarah Palin chose that song, or ordered it played, you're barking up the wrong tree. That decision would fall at the feet of the RNC and the event coordinators they'd hired.

(Really, do you suppose Barack Obama chose Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" for the Dem onvention? Come on fellas.)

[Black Kids Fan Club]

ATTENTION:

BLACK KIDS ON JIMMY KIMMEL FRIDAY NITE 9/5 (SAT AM 9/6)

THEY SHOULD GO ON ABOUT 12:45 AM OR SO

Look At Them (When They Rock Wichoo)

[Vegasgirlfriend]

The fabulous Miss Julie Brown has an ebay link from her website where you can buy all sorts of cool goodies:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Julie-Store_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

Just Say Julie is the best show that MTV ever aired. Great theme song too.

I was just waxing poetic to Spears the other day about the genius of Shakes the Clown - it's the Citizen Kane of Alcoholic Clown Movies!

[Vegasgirlfriend]

It's A Sin - Pet Shop Boys

[Douglas Arthur]

...but it isn't a private function, Rick. This is shown on television. It IS advertising, because it is promoting a particular candidate for office. Maybe it is not as overt as a 30 second spot, but it has a similar effectiveness.

You are right about the "could", my point was that in this case, when a particular political agenda is being endorsed, It is a moral obligation to respect the wishes of the artist who does not wish to be associated with that agenda. That doesn't mean you HAVE to, but you SHOULD.

By all news accounts, the McCain folks did everything on the up and up as far as paying the appropriate royalty and liscencing fees...which led former Heart guitarist Roger Fisher to say he strongly endorsed the Democratic ticket, and would donate a portion of royalties he receives from the Republicans' airing of "Barracuda" to the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.

"With my contribution to Obama's campaign, the Republicans are now supporting Obama," he said.

I got that last part from a Reuters news story.

[Tonianne]

With regard to Gary in Gilmore's comment about VH decrying the use of "Right Now" by the GOP, Sammy Hagar (who penned the lyrics) released the following statement explaining why he had no problem with McCain/Palin's usage:

Per link from Rolling Stone:

"When I wrote the lyrics to 'Right Now', I intended them to inspire people to not sit around and wait for something they believed in but to go out and get it, to make a change however they needed to," he said in a statement. "Whether it was McCain who used the song or if Obama had chosen to use the song, with the current political climate, the lyrics still have the same meaning, and we all need to do something to make a difference, every action counts. In fact, I still feel so strongly about this that I wrote a new song 'Cosmic Universal Fashion' with a young Iraqi musician in an attempt to motivate a new generation to the same affect. I am pleased to be associated with the lyrics to my original song and the new one in hopes that both will make people move to make a difference."

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/02/news-ticker-metallica-john-lennon-sammy-hagar-and-journey/

Brilliant move on Hagar's part, as he promotes his latest release...

[Tonianne]

clearly, jeff from vegas blew this one out of the water.

just a few others:

dead man's party - oingo boingo
this one's for the ladies - young fresh fellows
achin' to be/all he wants to do is fish/can't hardly wait - replacements
pull my strings/moral majority - dead kennedys
a girl in trouble - romeo void
the landscape is changing - depeche mode
this woman's work - kate bush
mother's talk - tears for fears
la femme accident - OMD

[Ray]

Some great posts by Douglas Arthur and Tonianne.

I'm shocked that so many don't realize that the artist permission is not needed to use the songs in campaigns. Again, I'm not necessarily saying that's a good thing for the artist or the candidate.

With that said... My Picks for Sarah Palin into music:

"Maneater" Hall & Oates
"You Can Still Rock in America" Night Ranger
"Life's What You Make It" Talk Talk
"Don't Dream It's Over" Crowded House
"Everybody Wants You" Billy Squier

I also liked Rick's suggestion of "Big Country"

[Ray]

"Girls With Guns" Tommy Shaw
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" Tears for Fears
"Only Time Will Tell" Asia
"Kids in America" Kim Wilde

[Miguel]

Wow,so much discussion about the artists rights,the limits between private and public. I don`t know the laws in the US but what i can say is that i understand music artists who don`t want their music associated with political campaigns they don´t support.It`s just natural.

Some Pat Benatar songs could be used(before she would argue like Heart):

"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"
"You Better Run"
"Promises In The Dark"
"Fire And Ice"
"All Fired Up"
"Little Too Late" or even
"Sex As A Weapon".

[John Hays]

Haha "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" that would be hilarious!

I was definitely wondering what was up with playing Barracuda after McCain's speech.

I think "We Didn't Start the Fire" would be a good campaign song.

[grandllama]

I can't add anything to the discussion, all valid points..

I can mention that Julie Brown's Homecoming Queen is available on Dr. Demento's 20th Anniv. CD.

Just checked Amazon and it is still in print!

[Chuck]

Berlin's "Sex (I'm a)"

though Douglas Arthur's "Look at Their Way" was inspired.

(They Don't Want Me and Call of the West would also work from Wall of Voodoo.)

[Ben Dover]

Ann & Nancy just need to 'get over it'.... The legal term is 'fair use'. It was not an advertisement, but a convention.

These artists should be happy that their music is remembered as most is not after 30+ years...

Do Ann & Nancy really think ALL their fans are libtards? I LOVE Heart (except for that really crappy pop stuff in the 80's they did which they themselves said they regretted)... and I'm certainly no libtard...

I think Ann is just jealous that Sarah Palin is still hot looking in her 40's, while Ann, well, we ALL know what happened to her!

[Betty from NJ]

I can understand why the Wilson sisters say that Sarah Palins 'views & values' don't represent them as American women...

Why on earth would they want to be associated w/ a strong beautiful woman with a happy marriage to her high school sweetheart, 5 children, and a successful career? A woman who went after the corrupt, old boy network and brought it down... Nah, that sounds nothing like a Barracuda...

I think the Wilson Sisters are right... Its much better that their song get used in a sappy, over-reaching ad for a boring Honda minivan...

[don in tulsa]

i understand what doug is trying to say and totally agree with him.

as for "ben dover", i'm sopry but it's completely stupid to say that someone should be happy that their old music still gets played, no matter what the circumstances. and then to rip on ann wilson because she put on weight and intimate that her thoughts on politics, her music, etc is really just jealousy over looks? seriously dude, take that junior high mentality and thought process and run for public office yourself. you'd probably win.

[Rick]

Don in Tulsa, you "totally agree" with Douglas in what way exactly?

In all the ways that he was factually wrong as evidenced even by the Reuters article he quoted? Or as regards his personal opinion that the "moral" thing to do would have been to ask the Wilsons how they'd feel about their song being played?

Why go after "Ben" for his personal opinion? And how is that opinion "completely stupid"? I happen to think it is just as valid as Doug's.

Ah, but Ben was wrong "to rip" on Ann Wilson... Have you not noticed how many people here have ripped on Palin? Suddenly you're outraged that someone would poke fun?

I suggest you get a handle on your immature emotions...
You're the one sounding like he's in junior high, "dude."

[don in tulsa]

rick, i don't know what your problem with me is. you seem to enjoy coming after me. to make it clear to you i totally agree with doug that a political convention is not a private party and playing a song is an attempt to link that song's subject or singer to a candidate or message (and no the one giving the speach doesn't choose the song, their handlers do). if the singer objects to the use of the song then morally the user should stop. now i know that doesn't actually happen much in the real world but i feel it would be nice if it did. it is not the same as a club or private party. it is a public political convention. i do understand that there is no law saying that the user has to stop. i'm just stating my opinion. guess what, not everybody shares my or your opinion and that's fine with me. if everyone had my opinion things would get pretty boring. as for ben dover, yes i felt his post was stupid. perhaps i should have kept that to myself but i didn't. again it's my opinion and i felt it was the kind of juvenile 12 year old statement that was out of order. the argument that someone should be happy their music gets played at all is a poor one and really makes no sense at all. if someone sold a million records 20 years ago but their music doesn't get played right now guess what? they still sold a million records and that's more than ben or i've done. i can respec tthem and leave it at that. and to say that ann wilson is just jealous because she got fat and some politician still looks good is just juvenile. i haven't ripped on palin at all nor did i in my post, you're using something that you don't think is fair against me when i didn't say anything about her. if there was a post saying that palin couldn't be v.p. because of her glasses or hair or looks or whatever i'd say that was juvenile and wrong too. again, it's my opinion and if ben has a problem with that he can address it. if i hurt his feelings i'll be happy to apologize. perhaps i should have been a bit more witty. but you, well i don't know you or why you like to go after me and i guess i don't have to or need to. it won't change anything in the long run. suffice to say we certainly look at things differently and i'll leave it at that.

sorry if i hurt your feelings ben, next time i'll count to 10 and try to express myself in a more mature way. nah, i probably won't but at least i'll try.

[Jay Sunn]

I think Palin's song should be Delirious by Prince or Stupid Girl by Garbage.