Does "selling out" include politics?

[RocknRollKitty]

I was dismayed last night on the news to hear "Beautiful Day" being played at a political rally for Kerry. If they don't want their songs associated with a car or some other product, why with a politician? Politicians are liars and crooks, and I really am sad to have such a cool, fun song as BD tainted by politics. I know they believe in mixing rock and roll and politics, and they work for causes, but if they want to maintain the purity of the song's meaning to the fans, which is why they didn't sell Streets to the car commerical I don't understand why they did this. Or do they even know?

I know, it's their song their business don't flame me. But any other thoughts on this?

 

[wolfeden]

speaking as a Bostonian...
Bands do not control whether a politician uses their music. Senator Kerry has been fond of using U2 throughout his presidential campaign, using Streets for his kickoff announcement in Boston. If U2 doesn't care for the use, I have no doubt they'll speak up.

You may or may not remember Fleetwood Mac getting a bit irritated with Bush pere for using 'Don't Stop' as they did not support him nor wish to be associated with him or his political aspirations.

(Edit: Too much blood in my caffeine stream, correction below, thank you)

 

[RocknRollKitty]

I thought it was Clinton who used it?

 

[HelloAngel]

I was at a Kerry rally here in Tampa and he played "Elevation" right before he took the stage during Coldplay's "Clocks." I kinda think it's the rally organizers who choose uplifting-sounding songs to get the crowd riled up after standing around for so long (even though I know it's to just get the crowd riled up, but also to use the messages in the songs)

 

[wolfeden]

I thought it was Clinton who used it?

I stand corrected. Thank you.

This from the Miami Herald:
Politicians using music to rally support isn't new. Bill Clinton relied on Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop to pump up crowds in 1992.

But musicians aren't always cooperative. When George W. Bush started playing Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down during his 2000 campaign, Petty's agent slapped the Bush campaign with a cease-and-desist order.

According to a Business Week magazine article, Petty's agent felt the use of the song gave the impression that Petty supported Bush.

 

[MrBrau1]

According to a Business Week magazine article, Petty's agent felt the use of the song gave the impression that Petty supported Bush.

Same thing w/ Springsteen's "Born In The USA" and Ronald Raygun in 84.

 

[verte76]

Bono has his reasons for wanting to be friendly with any potential resident of the White House. If Kerry wins he'll want to come in and talk AIDS in Africa stuff. So, I doubt if they mind that he's using their songs. I'm not surprised he's using Coldplay either after what Chris Martin said at the Grammies.

 

[martha]

Same thing w/ Springsteen's "Born In The USA" and Ronald Raygun in 84.

And that dipshit didn't even listen to the words.

 

[MrBrau1]

Repiblicans really don't know ANYTHING about rock music.

 

[wolfeden]

Repiblicans really don't know ANYTHING about rock music.

...unless they're Ted Nugent, apparently.

 

[MrBrau1]

What the fuck is a Repiblican?

 

[U2Kitten]

That's really not a fair stereotype. I know plenty of people who voted for Reagan and Bush who are huge rock fans.

 

[MrBrau1]

I mean the party in general, or old white guys.

 

[verte76]

That's really not a fair stereotype. I know plenty of people who voted for Reagan and Bush who are huge rock fans.

I do too. Some of them post at FYM. The guy who helped me get a ride to my first Elevation show in Atlanta is a registered Republican and a Bush supporter. We won't be voting for the same candidate in November, but hopefully we'll be in Atlanta next year for the show!

 

[U2Kitten]

Bono found out one of the Rep. Senators he was trying to get to drop the debt was a huge Radiohead fan.

I hope you meet your friend in Atlanta Verte!

 

[Mirrorball2606]

Repiblicans really don't know ANYTHING about rock music.

no... they really just don't know ANYTHING....

just kiddng... well sorta, i don't like republican platforms

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

But musicians aren't always cooperative. When George W. Bush started playing Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down during his 2000 campaign, Petty's agent slapped the Bush campaign with a cease-and-desist order.

According to a Business Week magazine article, Petty's agent felt the use of the song gave the impression that Petty supported Bush.

That made me happy when he did that. . to Springsteen also. .

Angela

 

[martha]

...unless they're Ted Nugent, apparently.

Don't kid yourself. Ted Nugent doesn't know anything about rock music either.

 

[U2zoogirl]

I really hate when media and politicians relate U2 music with their ideas and campaigns and stuff... because U2 represents a lot of things I believe in , U2 is part of my identity and they have a particular identity by themselves. I think is unfair to relate U2 lyrics to a politician or a party, because it trivializes music using it for their own interest.

 

[Lilac]

I really hate when media and politicians relate U2 music with their ideas and campaigns and stuff... because U2 represents a lot of things I believe in , U2 is part of my identity and they have a particular identity by themselves. I think is unfair to relate U2 lyrics to a politician or a party, because it trivializes music using it for their own interest.

I agree with you. I don't see the difference between making a song the "John Kerry/let's go get Bush" song or making it the Cadillac song or the allergy medicine song. It trivializes what the song means to fans. I can never hear "Don't Stop" again without thinking of Clinton. It's become a joke to everyone I know.

 

[HelloAngel]

Don't kid yourself. Ted Nugent doesn't know anything about rock music either.

Martha, I love you for saying that. LOL.

 

[Vampira]

Whether or not it's a bad thing depends on whether or not you approve of the candidate. I'm sure if Bush were to use one of their songs most people would be having a fit.

 

[wolfeden]

Don't kid yourself. Ted Nugent doesn't know anything about rock music either.

ROFL..... thank you!
(I've never been a Nuge fan.....)

 

[verte76]

Whether or not it's a bad thing depends on whether or not you approve of the candidate. I'm sure if Bush were to use one of their songs most people would be having a fit.

Exactly. If Politician X (Reagan, Bush, Republican X) can use a song, Politician A (Clinton, Kerry, Democrat X) can too.

 

[Ft. Worth Frog]

Come on people, stop using such broad generalities wen describing people/parties. Isn't that exactly what you often accuse other people of doing? Reeks of hypocrisy if you ask me. The stereotype of only old white guys in country clubs being Republicans should have died a long time ago.

 

[martha]

The stereotype of only old white guys in country clubs being Republicans should have died a long time ago.

You're right.

Some of them are middle-aged white guys.

 

[MrBrau1]

I'll never be so PC that I won't make fun of Republicans and the "Christian" Right. I have many Republican friends, and I love them. I love busting their balls. And they love giving it right back.

 

[wolfeden]

Come on people, stop using such broad generalities wen describing people/parties. Isn't that exactly what you often accuse other people of doing? Reeks of hypocrisy if you ask me. The stereotype of only old white guys in country clubs being Republicans should have died a long time ago.

That's true. Some of them are rich white gay men in their 30s.
(Log Cabin Republicans)

 

[MrBrau1]

That's true. Some of them are rich white gay men in their 30s.
(Log Cabin Republicans)

Gay Republicans? That's like a black man joining the KKK.

 

[martha]

As they're finding out.