Amen.
*clappin'* Amen. *sing it louda* Amen. Amen. Amen!

I forgot about campaigns using gospel songs. That's an old tradition too. Back in the 30s when country singer Jimmie Davis was a Senator and later Governor of Texas he used his song "You Are My Sunshine" in his campaigns and Louisiana Governor Pappy O'Daniel was a band leader band and used gospel music and dixieland.

BTW, this is the first article I've written in 4 years that's at least vaguely related to my masters thesis in Medieval Lit. I wrote on propaganda songs of the Hundred Years War, which is at least in the same ballpark.

Dave

Dave, you can't write an article about this subject without mentioning "Proud To Be an American", which has become the de facto Republican theme song. It's such a heavy-handed song, but I'll admit that it can sometimes leave me misty-eyed.

Clinton should use "Good-hearted Woman in Love with a Two-timing Man" in her ads. And Obama could use, I dunno, maybe something by Bowie.

And Obama could use, I dunno, maybe something by Bowie.

Actually, I'm surprised GW didn't use a Bowie song for one of his campaigns. You know, something like 'The Man Who Sold the World'.

I'm sure Pablo would appreciate that...

;-)

I think the Reps should use country songs. They can use the tunes and rewrite or alter the lyrics.

How about one of the following:

"She Broke My Heart at Walgreens, and I Cried All the Way to Sears"

or

"I Got Tears in my Ears, from Lyin' on my Back, Cryin' all Night Over You"

or, maybe

"Loneliness is Eating Me"

I'm not sure where to put the emphasis on that last one.

I know Dave's article was more about the "spirit" of the issue, than the legalities. However, since the artists who wrote and/or recorded many of the songs he mentions also own the copyrights, it seems to me that they have a perfect right to say yea or nay regarding who uses their material and for what purposes.

B-tone

Exactly, B-Tone. It's perfectly reasonable for Mellencamp to withhold permission for the use of his songs if he doesn't wish to be perceived as a McCain supporter.

He has just as much right to do so, in fact, as a corporation which doesn't wish one of its brands to be associated with a certain issue.

Somewhere in a room full of policy wonks, Democrats and Republicans are singing together in perfect harmony. They just don't want us to hear the music. It works out best for them if we're too busy fussing with one another to pay attention to what they're up to.

I liked your article very much Dave Nalle. The only thing I'd change is to recommend that We The Peons--Democrats, Republicans, and Independent find ONE song we can all sing together.

*tips my tin hat and strides away*

And Obama could use, I dunno, maybe something by Bowie.

I was thinking something from the weirder part of the Blue Oyster Cult library. One of those songs based on a Michael Moorcock story like "Fireclown" would work well.

However, since the artists who wrote and/or recorded many of the songs he mentions also own the copyrights, it seems to me that they have a perfect right to say yea or nay regarding who uses their material and for what purposes.

Actually, I think you're wrong here. Once the song is being distributed under an ASCAP license the artist has very limited control over how it's used if they get paid for it. I believe that in the Springsteen vs. Reagan dispute (never went to court) Springsteen resigned himself to the reality that he couldn't exert any direct restraint on the Reagan campaign.

Dave

The Reagan campaign didn't use "Born in the USA" as a pro-veteran song. The song has been misunderstood by many as a shout of ultra-patriotic defiance, and it was being used as a peppy anthem at Reagan rallies. But Springsteen actually wrote a wail of despair and frustration, and the title is bitterly ironic.

Republicans and irony...not such a good mix.

I think you miss my point and see irony where it doesn't exist, Handy.

Yes, Reagan chose the song because it was catchy. That's advertising.

However, the song IS about a toubled Vietnam veteran, and the point is that the Reagan administration rebuilt the military and the VA after the post-Vietnam neglect of the Carter administration.

Reagan didn't intend the use of the song as a tribute to veterans, but he certainly justified the use of the song by his efforts to address the issues it raises. Make sense?

Dave

Dave - Interesting post.

RE: When Republican candidates have used songs from liberal songwriters for their campaigns, the main objection from the outraged masses seems to be that the populist themes of these songs are inherently incompatible with Republican policies and beliefs. ... The flaw in this reasoning is that these songs are usually ones which express common American values and which address concerns which cross party lines, and which are of as much importance to Republicans as they are to Democrats.

The irony is that some conservatives, egged on by goons like Limbaugh and Hannity, don't realize this. It becomes decidedly odd, for example, to smear Hollywood and supposed liberal-types, while simultaneously attempting to appropriate their works.

RE: I forgot about campaigns using gospel songs. That's an old tradition too. Back in the 30s when country singer Jimmie Davis was a Senator and later Governor of Texas he used his song "You Are My Sunshine" in his campaigns and Louisiana Governor Pappy O'Daniel was a band leader band and used gospel music and dixieland.

This aspect of history and pop culture was treated with great comic effect in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

RE: It's a symptom of the tragic divisiveness which has gripped our nation in recent years, that we've forgotten that even though we believe in different methods and different institutions, most Americans share many of the same basic values regardless of political persuasion.

But of course there have been some (not all) conservatives who want to try to insist that only conservatives and Republicans are real Americans, and everyone else is, well, probably, French.

I wasn't arguing with you, exactly, but if I were Bruce Springsteen I would resent a right-winger using my songs too. It's perfectly understandable. And the song is about anger, not reconciliation.

"But of course there have been some (not all) conservatives who want to try to insist that only conservatives and Republicans are real Americans, and everyone else is, well, probably, French."

Oh please. Even Democrats are superior to the Frogs.

Actually, the only real Americans are the Mexicans and their northern brethren, the Native Americans; all the rest of you are uninvited illegals.

Clav, be careful off at whom you shoot your bouche.

I am one-sixteenth French, m'sieur, and proud of it.

So are you, if je me souviens correctly.

Merde!

Ribet.

RE: Oh please. Even Democrats are superior to the Frogs.

Chill out. My comment that "everyone else is, well, probably, French." was a dig at the Freedom fries foolishness foisted on us by conservative dim bulbs, and also a nod to a little whimsy from Mark Twain, which has often been mis-interpreted to be Franco-phobe.

"I have no special regard for Satan; but, I can at least claim that I have no prejudice against him. It may even be that I lean a little his way, on account of his not having a fair show. All religions issue bibles against him, and say the most injurious things about him, but we never hear his side. We have none but the evidence for the prosecution, and yet we have rendered the verdict. To my mind, this is irregular. It is un-English, it is un-American; it is French."

Oh, come on, Alec. It's Saturday night. You should know we're just avin a laff.

RE: Oh, come on, Alec. It's Saturday night. You should know we're just avin a laff.

Well, I'm blogging on a Saturday evening because I have a badly sprained ankle, and a handful of medications. My ear for humor may be slightly off. But point noted.

"Chill out"???

OK, most Democrats are superior to Frogs.

Obviously, you're the exception that proves the rule...

RE: OK, most Democrats are superior to Frogs. Obviously, you're the exception that proves the rule...

Not a Democrat. In fact, from the very first time that I was eligible to vote, I registered as an Independent.

Permanent allegiance to any political party is for the weak minded, and the French.

Ah, well, that explains it.

Independents are definitely not superior to the Frogs.

Doc, exactly which part of you is French? Have you considered surgery?

I suggest he get 7/8s of his brain removed.

No, hang on, that's the operation you have to turn yourself into a Frenchman.

Get all of it removed Doc, just to be on the safe side. Imagine that. And you're living Stateside, too, so you'd fit in perfectly and wouldn't have to do anything else to keep that green card.

Everyone would just realise straight up that you're a Pom :)

And, to think America and France used to be so close! Fellow revolutionaries and all that. I felt sorry for the Bruce, and, whatever the copyright rules are it must be painful for an artist to have their work used by someone, or think, they don't approve of.

After there are many thousands of equally talented right wing artists who would be only too happy to have their songs used - Ted Nugent and Dave Mustaine could, I'm sure, come up with a compelling tune for the republican party! And, we Brits, are of course mightily pleased that our Conservative party can use the inspirational vocals of former Spandau Ballet leader Tony Hadley - go on Camo, you know it makes sense! Gold, always believing in Gold!

Could I suggest a general political anthem Nine Inch Nails' Head Like a Hole: "Bow down before the one you serve. you're going to get what you deserve."

Sorry, that should read "someone, or thing"

I can understand if not particularly sympathize with, say, big bad Springsteen not wanting to become the big theme song of Reagan's re-election. But mostly, these left wingers bitching about use of their songs is not really a political objection, but more like an egotistical display of delusions of grandeur.

Most particularly in this regard, I cannot help but mock the foolishness of Scholz objecting to Huckabee playing "More Than a Feeling." Note first the pettiness that it was something that he played ONCE - and actually played with a band, not turned into any kind of campaign theme song. Beyond that, this guy is really, really full of himself to think that anybody would have thought or cared about HIS political opinion on this basis.

Does he really think that anyone would presume that Huckabee playing one of his songs was an endorsement, or that they might even vaguely be influenced by the opinion of the band Boston? I'm trying to imagine Scholz' dream of influence. So John Q Voter sees Huckabee playing this song with a band, and he says to himself something like "I thought Huckabee was a dirty low down Republican, but I can see here that Tom Scholz of Boston is supporting him. Maybe I should re-consider..."

"Beyond that, this guy is really, really full of himself to think that anybody would have thought or cared about HIS political opinion on this basis."

Amen.

For that matter, I fail to understand why anybody gives a rat's ass what any performer thinks about politics (or anything other than their art, come to that).

The candidates, who seem only too keen to line up their film/rock star endorsers, obviously believe that people do give a rat's arse though Clavos.

I don't see why the opinions of a singer, film star, artist, etc. aren't as valid or important as yours or mine. It's when they become MORE valid or important that I begin to be concerned. This notion of "shut up and sing" is ridiculous.

"I don't see why the opinions of a singer, film star, artist, etc. aren't as valid or important as yours or mine."

Exactly. They're both meaningless.

The people DO care, Colin; that's why there are all the movie mags, People, etc.

I fail to see WHY they care, though...

I think Madeleine Peyroux is a wonderful singer, but I have zero interest in her political opinions; as Jordan says above, her opinions are probably as valid and important as mine, but that's not my interest in her; I'm only interested in her music.

The same goes for actors.

There's one thing you've overlooked: that ticking off Mellencamp and Springsteen is fun! Everyone knew that "Born in the USA" was diametrically opposed to Reaganism. It wouldn't have been half as enjoyable if the song were Republican. Believe me, we understood the irony. It gave us a chance to cheer Reagan and make liberals smoulder. I guess that Bob Roberts was our fault, though. We should have recognized that irritating preachy artists would result in ever-preachier art. But it was worth it.

Baronius, I'm a big fan of Bob Roberts. Great songs, especially.

Neither a musician, actor, or me should have our opinions taken to mean much simply because we're for or agin something, but only equally on the basis of making a substantive argument. Dave Nalle writes a BC story explaining historical precedents and statistics and such, then Sean Penn is perfectly welcome to write a story making counterarguments and to get an equal consideration.

But we shouldn't accept some dumb crap just because Leo DeCaprio says it.

Colin: "And, to think America and France used to be so close! Fellow revolutionaries and all that."

Didn't they gang up on the good guys on a couple of occasions??

Yes, they certainly did, back in the late 18th century when revolutions were all the rage.

Pff! Followers!

;-)

Dave,

The situation regarding song writers and their respective rights regarding the use of their music is not quite as you state. What you say is true of some, but not all. Each song writer has a different set of rights depending upon the specific terms of their contracts. Nevertheless, and regardless of your position, I would truly be pissed if someone made use of my work, my creation to promote an agenda with which I didn't agree. Most of these songs are not in the public domain. Just as a matter of ethics, the legalities not withstanding, the creator of a work of art, music or a product of any kind should have the right to say yea or nay to its use. After all, you can't use, a copyrighted corporate name, logo or product without specific permission, and to do so is a quick way to get sued.

On another note, I suppose that most politicos don't use country songs for their campaigns is that most of them suck.

B-tone

Man, it's great to have the last word on one of these threads.

Darn it, Baritone, I hate to take away the last word from you. In fact, do me a favor and post a comment after me. I just had to pass this along. It's an excerpt from a campaign song for William Henry Harrison, that I just happened to run across yesterday:

Who rules us with an iron rod?
Who moves at Satan's beck and nod?
Who heeds not man, and heeds not God?
Van Buren!