The female trailblazers of 70’s rock and founders of Heart, Ann and Nancy Wilson, were not happy when they saw footage of the Republican National Convention using their classic song “Barracuda” as a theme song for Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The sisters issued a “cease and desist” letter to the RNC, warning them not to use the song again.
Ann and Nancy Wilson are pissed at the Republican Party and have fired off a cease and desist letter to the McCain/Palin campaign.
Specifically, the Heart women are upset that the GOP has used their classic “Barracuda” as a theme song for Sarah Palin. TMZ obtained a statement from Heart’s rep, who says “The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.”
The statement goes on: “We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.”
We’re told Ann was watching TV today and heard the song at the convention when Palin was touted.
UPDATE: Twenty minutes after we posted this story, the GOP ended the evening after McCain’s speech with the song, “Barracuda.”
The Wilson sisters join a growing list of musicians who don’t want their songs associated with politics – particularly the Republican party. It started back in the 80s when Ronald Reagan tried using Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” for his campaign song. The McCain camp alone has received three other cease and desist letters, from Van Halen (for his use of the song “Right Now”), John Mellencamp (for the song “Pink Houses”), and Orleans (for the song “Still the One.”) Mike Huckabee also got slapped down by Mellencamp for his use of “ROCK in the USA.” Mellencamp stated in a Newsweek article that he’s an Obama supporter.
Maybe the Republicans should ask artists before appropriating their songs or hire artists to write songs for them – John Rich of the country western group Big & Rich has penned a song for the Republican presidential candidate John McCain called…wait for it…”Raising McCain.”
I love the song “Barracuda” and I’m glad the Wilson sisters are taking it to the lawyers.
Sidenote 1: Loved loved loved when Stevie Wonder and John Legend played at the DNC. Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m theirs. š
Sidenote 2: I was thinking yesterday that a good song for McCain might be Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” – and I’m being serious. šÆ
Lol! “Raising McCain”! That is SO lame.
I’d probably be p*ssed, too, if I was a musician and some politician started using my music to promote their campaign without asking. Especially if it wasn’t even a politician that I supported.
Lucky for me, I have NO musical talent, so I think I’m safe there. š
Or maybe the artists should get over themselves and realize it’s just a stupid song. I don’t think people hearing the song played at a political rally are going to think “Wow, how cool is it that Heart supports Palin?” They’re probably thinking the same thing I thought… “God, I hate this damn song.”
Doesn’t some country artist have a song called “Trailer Park Mama” or something they could use for Sarah? Mindy McCready maybe?
She should use Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman”…I’m sure no one will have a problem with it.
How about “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson. It’s perfect for Ms. Palin.
Why is she a Redneck Woman?
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No Jen (the other one), it’s not just a stupid song, it’s their work and their art and if they don’t want someone using their work to promote ideas they themselves don’t believe in, and assuming they own the rights to their songs, the Republicans (or Democrats, if this happened to them) should respect that. It’s not about thinking “Heart supports Palin,” it’s about their art being used for something that goes against what they believe in.
I just don’t see how Barracuda could relate to the Republican Party. Even when not paying attention to the lyrics.
Maybe it’s because I’m not american… Whoever chose this song just seems off track.
I was wondering if they picked this song because – Barricuda was Sarah’s nickname when she played basketball.
This is copyright infringement too. The songs weren’t licensed properly. You figure they would learn their lesson after the first one or two times, but no.
Surprised that they didn’t use a song by Ted Nugent. He is a gun-fanatic, Republican and member of NRA.
@DogRunner – That’s exactly why they used it. Aside from the word “Barracuda”, nothing in those ridiculous lyrics relate to anything. It’s a stupid, stupid song. (But, damn, Ann Wilson can f*cking sing it, though!)
I don’t know. I thinks it’s all a bunch of crap, but that’s just me.
OR maybe the Heart sisters SHOULD defend the music that they wrote, seeing as it’s their constitutional right to do so and that it’s one of their most iconic songs. Whether people like the song or not, the Wilson sisters wrote it and they don’t want it to be associated with the party and it’s their right to make that decision. The fact that people who fail to miss this point are voting at all is really quite a scary concept. š
I hope Heart & the rest of them sue the hell out the campaign. Copyright infringement is no joke
California angel, I get *why* they’re writing letters, and I’m not begrudging the fact *that* they’re mad. Of course it’s their right, blah blah blah.
I’d be willing to bet, though, that it has less to do with party affiliation or their political beliefs than it does with the fact that they didn’t get a check before the song was played.
I still thinks it’s stupid and petty. Maybe I wouldn’t if they just said “Hey, mind paying for that next time?”
But what do I know, I hate everything.
I don’t blame the singers. I am assuming that if any of their works is to be transmitted via television, the shows must get approval and pay for royalties. Ann is wise to send her lawyers after them. She may be entitled to funds.
I don’t know why they are upset other than the fact that they are whinny lefties. Frankly, Heart could use a boost to their music. At best they were a mediocre rock group. Oh and this is the sound of the world’s smallest violin playing sympathy for Heart.
Songs are intellectual property and I think that gets lost on some. People hear popular music used in a commercial and perhaps don’t realize that music was obtained by permission and the artist was paid.
It’s like owning a lovely home and appreciating when people walk by and admire it but you don’t want them raiding your rosebushes or squatters in the foyer just because they like your house and it happens to suit some need of theirs, you know?
Having music misappropriated by a party whose politics the artist doesn’t share adds injury on top of the insult. There’s the immediate financial injury incurred, sure, but the biggest injury is to the artist’s reputation within their fan base and potential loss of future income by unauthorized association with the ‘wrong’ party.
I dunno, I was raised that if I wanted to use something belonging to anyone else, I asked them first. It’s no great legal leap, it’s just being courteous and respecting other people’s stuff. Oh wait, but we ARE talking about politicians here – what was I thinking?
It’s the law. You have to get permission to use someone’s music.
I always thought it was kind of funny when Reagan tried to use “Born in the USA” though, obviously he never listened to the words of the song.
To Mr. T: I would expect that Republicans/rightwingers of all people would champion property rights…you know, since all of us ‘whiny lefties’ want to communize everything. š
Syko, you are right on with Born in the USA. Somebody on Reagan’s staff had a brain fart with that one. They just hear a chorus, think that it fits their agenda and go with it. This just shows they don’t even respect the song they want enough to listen and find out what it means.
Oh, for heaven’s sake… you seriously can put aside your political views to respect and expect ANYONE to adhere to copyright laws, can’t you?
And Heart = mediocre??? Speechless.
I think Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” is up for grabs!
How was the song actually used? In a commercial? Was it the fact that the event was being broadcast that is the troubling factor?
Just wondering. I’m not sure if the fact that the RNCC was something that was broadcast or if it would have been okay to play any kind of music between speeches or something and not happen to have been on television.
I thought you need to pay when you are playing some’s song, but I didn’t know the law requires you actually ask for permission.
That must be insane and each artist will be bombarded by requests from so many places that want to play songs.
So it makes more sense to me that the law requires you to pay- but not to actually seek the approval beforehand.
I think using a song in a commercial is a different story than playing it in an event (political or social).
The artist won’t have to handle the barrage of requests, they have staff to do it. And in a way, the political conventions ARE advertising.
If an artist doesn’t support a candidate, they certainly don’t want their song associated with it.
I don’t know the nitty-gritty on the laws, but I do know that the local high school band has to get permission to play copyrighted songs.
Born in the USA is a personal pet peeve of mine. It’s not just the Reagan campaign that used it without thinking about it either.
Every year during the 4th of July fireworks they play that song too. I always look at my wife and throw my hands up. I don’t think most people have ever actually payed attention to the lyrics – or else they wouldn’t be celebrating the birth of our nation by blaring a song that rips it a new one.
But back on topic, I don’t know enough about the law to know if they have a leg to stand on. That being said, people don’t seem to be paying attention to the situation it was used in. They played it during a public presentation that happened to be carried on TV.
I know this site is frequented by mainly women, but doesn’t anyone here watch pro sports? Basketball and football constantly play songs over the loud speakers during televised games, and I sincerely doubt they’re paying TV royalties for it. On top of that, they’re actually making money off the broadcasts vs. a political convention that wasn’t for profit.
I’m not sure, but I would think this falls under fair use.
mE, I think Sarah either entered or exited with the song playing in the background. But then again I really don’t know as I didn’t watch. But what I heard was about as interesting as a wooden stool. whatever… š
The Wilson sisters don’t solely own the rights to the song, all the writers do. Two of the co-writers of the song called in to a radio show and stated they have no problem with McCain’s campaign using their song. They consider it good publicity. Plus, not-for-profits are not required to get permission to use ANY song. The RNC is a not-for-profit, as is the DNC.
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=91
Pure unadulterated infringement rights. The idea that they can just hijack a song without bothering to inform/ask permission of the musicians concerned – the arrogance. Sue their ignorant asses.
And totally agree on Born in the USA, Baholicious & Syko, it’s like they heard the line ‘Born in the USA’ and thought ‘yeah, patriotic, that’ll do’ and went with it.
If I was an artist and had a certain thought process when creating a song and then I saw someone using it to fit their political plans I’d be pissed too.
They were basically using it as Sarah’s theme song at the convention. It was clearly commercial use, which requires permission (same as you’d need written permission to use someone’s artwork on a book cover, for example.)
Honestly, when I heard the song being played at the RNC convention, I assumed that meant Heart was supporting McCain/Palin. I was surprised (and disappointed) at that…I’m happy to hear it was just the Repubs breaking the law again!
šæ Heart certainly is NOT mediocre, you culturally retarded troglodytes !! šæ
One of my favorite musicians, and hardcore liberal/activist Jackson Browne also sued the Republicans a few weeks ago for the use of his song “Running On Empty” in one of McCain’s TV ads. It was used without his permission and he also doesn’t want his song associated with McCain.
I hope all of these artists get their royalties and whatnot and that the Republicans think a little more about their song choices!
Non-commercial users have some exemptions from copyright laws, but Iām not sure that the Rep Convention would be considered as such. All we know for sure is that the Wilson sisters have bad business sense, and Sarah Palin gave a speech that totally rocked.
“Raisin McCain” lmao
Oh, Colbert is hilarious. š
Hi Scott F,
I’m sure you didn’t mean anything disparaging by saying you “realize this site is frequented by women” and thus assume we don’t watch professional sports. That sounded really sexist and patronizing, just so you know.
I draw for a living. I draw cute illustrations. It’s how I make money, how I pay my bills, how I put food in my mouth.
I had discovered a company based in Missouri had used one of my images to place on packaging and lighter products, and I never even knew about it, was never asked permission, never given credit and certainly was never paid for my work — all the while my work was used for the benefit of their company.
You tell me, do I have a right to defend and protect my work, especially how it is used?
I absolutely agree with the Wilson sisters. What the RNC did in using their music without licensing or permission was akin to stealing.
I don’t understand how anyone could not see that. I know a lot of people do not work in the arts, but I hope this will enlighten people to how artists are often deprived of rights, control and compensation of their work.
A good example would be : If you had a farm, would you be okay with someone taking items you grew on your land for their own benefit without your permission or knowledge? Would it be okay?
The sisters might want to have a chat with their agent because someone most likely gave the RNC permission to use that song.
Baholicious, as a woman I was not the least bit offended by Scott’s comment. Chill.
I still listen to Heart, they were a great group in the 70’s-90’s. These women kicked ass with their music.
They are playing in my town tonight. š
As reigning musician and music business law expert, It’s not just a stupid song. a) It’s a killer song, iconic, and worth a great deal to the Wilson sisters; b) It’s their bread and butter. Copyright infringement is no joke and their publishing company owns this copyright! You gotta pay to play. And these days, when everybody is burning free discs all over the place for home use, copyright infringement on public play such as a ballgame or TELEVISED (!) political rally, is the one thing they can control. Publishing company is probably fuming right now and will take some action. Sometimes that’s only a slap on the wrist, and sometimes it’s a lawsuit.
That said, I hate Odumba. If he played my song at his rally on tv I’d raise hell too.
I think in the particular election where so much is at stake for the future of the country, an artist who does not support Republican dirty as usual political tricks has a right to speak up about it. I certainly would not want to have anyone think I support a bunch of pseudo-Christians who sit in church and then vote for every selfish bit of legislation that comes down the pike.
Please go and register to vote before it is too late then VOTE THESE PEOPLE OUT OF OFFICE!
Im so happy to see independent minded people refuseing to be used as puppets for schemes that others may have.YES WE CAN!
Well, I am biased as I adore Heart.
Good Lord, these two sisters are so over, they should be grateful that anyone remembers them well enough to want to use their song!
What washed up, self important has beens.
typical, the repubs shoot down everything the artists believe in, and then they appropriate their music as part of their sales gimmick. and sales gimmick is all palin/mccain are offering. just like w. the crushingly sad thing is how many people are falling for it, again. just because someone gets up and reads a speech about how they’re a cowboy, or a pitbull hockey mom who eats moose meat, doesn’t mean they’re capable of running the country. get on line and read about how her little town of 5,000 went from zero debt when she was voted in, to a crushing $22 million debt by the time she left the major’s office. do your homework before falling for a con woman’s line of bull*hit. the woman even tried to fire the town librarian when the librarian refused to pull all the books from the shelves that the pentacostal palin disapproved of.
and by the way, for all that w tried to style himself as a cowboy, have you ever seen him on a horse, let alone shoveling out a barn? takes more than a hat to make a cowboy.