The Music of Politics

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It’s happened again! Another Presidential candidate has decided that they will use the intellectual property of someone else to further their cause… without asking!!

Of course all of the hub bub the past couple of days has been about the Republican candidate for president, Newt Gingrich, and his use of the Survivor song “Eye of the Tiger” for use at political rallies.

Newt is in good company. Along with a handful of candidates this political cycle who have decided to use songs without not only the master use rights from the record company, or the synchronization rights from the song’s publisher…they never even asked the artist if they could use their song…much be associated with their campaigns!!!

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Of course, this is nothing new. In 2010, John McCain got himself into trouble using the Jackson Browne song “Running on Empty” without permission. Sarah Palin decided to do the same in 2008 using Heart’s “Barracuda”. Ronald Reagan decided Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A” best personified his 1984 Presidential campaign. Obviously, he not only neglected to ask for permission, but I tend to think he neglected to listen to the lyrics! Probably not something the Gipper would have wanted in people’s minds when they thought Reagan ’84!!

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While I may not have memories that go back that far, why don’t these candidates, as long as they are so fond of “borrowing” ideas, take a page from history and have their OWN song written for them. In 1952, the “I Like Ike” song helped Eisenhower win the election. JFK’s 1960 “Kennedy” song also proved to be successful. Candidates didn’t always hit it out of the park with their campaign ditties. Barry Goldwater’s “Go Go Goldwater” campaign song in 1964 probably didn’t go as he would have wished. Richard Nixon’s “Nixon Now” is good for a few giggles in today’s political climate.

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Politicians should take note. If you use someone else’s song without permission, you will pay the price one way or another.  Here's an idea...you say you want to bring jobs to Americans.  I know plenty of American English and Music majors in American colleges who aren't getting jobs when they graduate.  This has the potential to be a win win situation!! Spend the money you will have to pay getting busted for using someone else’s song, and have a brand new campaign song written just for YOU by a talented educated American college student!