A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about singer/songwriter Jackson Browne filing a lawsuit against Republican presidential nominee John McCain. I also noted Browne’s suit noted that other musicians, including ABBA and John Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.
Apparently, the McCain campaign can’t seem to learn their lesson, as they’ve come under attack by the members of the group Heart for using the song “Barracuda” after vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention. Here’s what Heart had to say:
“The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission,” it read. “We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.”
Despite the emailed statement voicing the group’s displeasure about their song being used, the song was used again after Sen. McCain finished his remarks to the RNC. Nancy and Ann Wilson of Heart followed that up with another statement, this one a little more strongly worded:
“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.”
Keep up the good work, John!
H/T to the illusory one.
The Republicans constantly try to use scare tactics to that the Democrats and liberals are facists. Yet it is the Republicans that consistently trample the rights of others.
The saddest part is they refuse to acknowledge their hypocrisy and their disturbed thought patterns.
Zach again only part of the story do you tell. Hmm… Dark future you see clouded judgment you have.
Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons’ side as the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the venue to ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners.
Despite the Wilson sisters’ objections, one of the song’s co-writers said he was “thrilled” that the song was used.
In an e-mail to Reuters, the band’s former guitarist, Roger Fisher, said it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from “the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song,” Fisher said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26564287/
Do you want to try the Van Halen song? Before you blog, make sure to Sammy’s response to Eddie’s.
Thanks for the input, Steve. This is valuable insight from a guy who blogs on a site where plagiarism is the norm.
Who is that Capper, because Joe Biden isn’t one of our bloggers.
C’mon Steve, Biden’s not the first politician to plagiarize, and no doubt he won’t be the last. Where’s a little of that Christian forgiveness?
Steve, here is a prime example of plagiarism from your site. Perhaps you even know the author:
http://rightviewwi.typepad.com/the_right_view_wisconsin/2008/09/it-is-over.html
capper, Steve did attribute that massive cut and paste job, so it’s not really plagiarism. However, while it may not be outright plagiarism, it’s definitely a violation of the fair use doctrine.
Capper I didn’t take credit for Peggy’s work nor did I use more then 75% of it.
You are barking up the wrong tree!