They asked nicely once to quit using the song as is their right.

They were ignored by Republicans with a history of ignoring laws when it suits their purposes.

They have a genuine right to be pissed.

Hi I’m Angelica Albudin

G’night

Hi I’m Angelica Albudin

Bye

Be careful on labeling the “American Woman”, it’s personal and not defined easily by political divides and dividers. In a disaster, we’re all parties to it, but in other times, we seem to tear each other apart instinctively. If the music was licensed properly, then the artist need check their facts and paychecks, if not legally licensed, then a suit if desist does not occur. As for their politics, maybe each song should contain a specific wording in the song that this is my party this is my view of the others, never mix the two. As for working moms, you can diss them but you likely paint yourself in a corner of who will support your view. A working governor mom has a lot of duties like a touring model, actress, or singer mom . . .

Good thing they didn’t choose “Magic-Man” The song is about Ann Wilson’s Vietnam draft-dodger boyfriend in the 70’s. Serves ‘em right that Mr. McCain “a Vietnam war hero” uses their music without their permission.

Nancy Wilson used to be soooo hot.. Now she soooo old looking and miserable. You’d thing these washed-up musician would love some free publicity. ; )

I lost all respect for these ladies. I’m 42 and grew up at their concerts but I guess because I have some conservative views…love my country and family for instance, I’m not good enough for them. Sarah Palin should make all women proud. I love Hillary and I love Sarah.

Sarah - use a better song, Heart doesn’t deserve the exposure.

Looking at Nancy Wilson’s comment, she could have been more tactful. I’ve always been taught that it is very unladylike for women to curse and a real gentleman does not curse in front of a lady.

When I read Nancy drop the F-bomb, I felt there was a disconnect as I thought, this is not a grown woman in her fifties who’s had over thirty years experience in the music industry. This sounds like something that I would expect Amy Winehouse to say.

Heart could have handled this better by pointing out that they request politics not be discussed on their official site. That would have been a simple and valid reason to request the song not be used in the campaign.

Also, it has been reported that one of the co-writers of the song, Roger Fisher, did not object to the RNC using the song.

3. What Does the ASCAP License Do?

ASCAP gives you a license to entertain your customers, guests and employees with the world’s largest musical repertory. One of the greatest advantages of the ASCAP license is that it give you the right to perform ANY or ALL of the millions of the musical works in our repertory. Whether your music is live, broadcast, transmitted or played via CD’s or videos, your ASCAP license covers your performances. And with one license fee, ASCAP saves you the time, expense, and burden of contacting thousands of copyright owners.

directly from ASCAP do you really think the company providing the sound & music for the rnc didn’t have a license from ASCAP ? Do you really think they wouldn’t be liable too ? Do you think they would want to be sued over this ?

I can’t believe that I am going to post a rejoinder to this ignorant topic but I grew up with Heart blasting out of my 6X9’s till my ears bled and the cassettes wore out but I don’t give a big rats what the hell Ann and Nancy’s political idiosyncrasies are. It’s music. You put it out there to be consumed. Well after all this time it is still being consumed and there is no reason to open your big fat mouth’s about it. Shut up, collect your check, go try to make some more music that someone else will enjoy but I’m sick sick sick of all of these “entertainers” telling me what their politics are and how they thing we should vote. I just don’t care except now I think your an idiot as well as a old band that should have retired long ago.

Here’s to Nancy Wilson’s Hottness!!

Nancy Wilson is awesome. Mr. Crowe is a lucky, lucky man.

There is a big difference in using a song at sporting events then using them to espouse political leaning not shared and probably despised by an author.

I hope that Mrs. Palin is not like the average American woman. Would most women with 5 kids (one who got pregnant while she was governor) move across country to take a job that would take them away from their families for long hours? Especially if she had a small child with Downs? The woman is selfish.

Most of you seem not to know that songs are copyrighted and the use of a copyrighted song requires paying for the license to use it. There are a number of different types of licenses, depending on how the song or the recording will be used. As an example, exercise instructors have to pay for songs they use in group classes or make sure they use only songs the club has paid for. Even high school plays need permission to use a song in a school play. So get that through your heads. Many artists and songwriters hold the rights to their own songs. I just went online and checked — Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, Ann Wilson, and Michael Derosier do hold the rights. McCain claims they got permission, but obviously he didn’t. And BTW, Heart is on tour right now, so no they don’t need to be grateful that the songs were used — they have plenty of fans going to hear them for their musical talents. They are not obligated to let anyone use one of their songs if they do not want to, whether for a car commercial or a political campaign.

you know, this whole thing is stupid. i’m behind ann and nancy 100%. they have the right to express their opinions just like all these other people who used adjectives to describe them such as “has beens”, “washed out feminists” and that moron who said “nobody gives a damn about your opinion, go back to pumping out your craft” to you people who made those “inspiring” observations, what have you people done with your lives? what makes you all so much better that you can judge? why don’t you all look in your own backyards before you start slamming others for being what, in truth, you probably are more than anyone. i’m done here.

OK Karma Police let’s take the country in the “welfare-less” direction you so desire. But be prepared for our eventual decision to blow up your house and take all the money back that you have stolen from us.

I couldn’t give a airebourne crap what song they played at either political convention.If you watched 8 days of butt kissing on both sides and all you come up with is what song they played at the event, do everyone a favor and do not vote.
As far as music goes there is such a thing as “public domain”.
If no one is making profit from your “art”(and I use that term loosely) Heart,Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, etc. etc. can all shut up.You would have to be a idiot anyway to think any of these folks would be a “conservative thinker” (for crying out loud just listen to the lyrics to the songs they compose).

No, the issue is a couple of dryed up has beens of yesteryear got the slightest of glints of attention so a P.R. agent on there behalf told them at your age, any publicity is some publicity you old farts wouldnt of otherwise had gotten.
“release a statement as to your political affiliation” “express your views” “tell them what you think” your fans are waiting with baited breathe in anticipation as to your thoughts of such a travesty occuring, please tell us what you think. How could they intereret your original content so adverse as to what your intent was.

I guess on misinterpretation, now these 2 women of yore can experience what the founding fathers of this nation must feel.

To quote Alanis Morissette,”isnt it ironic”

Another attempt by the libs to silence their critics. Don’t put the music out there if you don’t want certain people to use or enjoy it. What do you think political correctness is all about? The libs are not interested in the debate in the arena of ideas. If you don’t agree with me, then we will try to silence you. How transparent, intolerant, and facist these people are.

Thank you Heart for exercising your right to freedom of speak. If you don’t support the Reps I’m glad to hear it. Barracuda is not very fitting for a VP. Alaskian Ice Princess go save the Moose!

We are trying to make a knowledge economy work. The repeated abuse of intellectual property rights for a political cause undercuts McCains own arguments in support of IP but also sets an example even lower than the Kelo decision. Conservatives respect property(including IP), Fascists will screw anyone if given the chance.

From Reuters: “Heart singers Ann and Nancy Wilson said a “cease-and-desist” letter has been sent to the Republicans asking them not to use the song. Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons’ side, however, 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.

This would be like Queen getting their knickers in a twist over “We Will Rock You” being used at sporting events with teams they don’t support. It’s just silly.

It’s a pop song, created for commercial distribution and entertainment. Does it have artistic merit? Sure. But, it’s sole reason for existing is to make money. If you put something out there for commercial consumption you have to be willing to accept that it could morph into something other than what you intended, and be thick-skinned enough to live with that. No copyright laws are being broken, so no money is being made by anyone without a right to the song.

The fact that a piece of pop candy was so well crafted, and continues to have any relevance so many years after it’s initial release should make the gals from Heart feel good. Crying foul that someone is “interpreting” it in a way not in keeping with it’s original meaning is a shallow argument. That song’s original meaning was probably never top of mind with music fans. Isn’t the beauty of art that it is open to interpretation? Shouldn’t a viewer or listener be able to imbue the art with their own meaning as formed by their own unique experiences and viewpoint? Isn’t the mark of great art that such flexibility and interpretation makes it timeless?

Shouldn’t we be talking about something more important during the campaign than a relatively mediocre, albeit catchy, 30 year old pop song?

palin is alot like out mothers?

most mothers I know are good moms - unlike palin with her pregnant teenage daughter.

Plus this is the lady who voted to take away medical benifits for gay couples who get married, yet thinks its ok to be a gun nut.

yea this is the lady we need as VP - right.

Who ARE all of you hateful republicans reading Rolling Stone and yet disparaging the right of an artist to care about how their product is used? Would you like it if Obama used a picture of your face at his campaign rally? Even if it was legal, I don’t think so!

But regardless of whether you believe that Heart should or should not care who uses their song for personal gain, they do, and they told the campaign as much.

The fact that the campaign IGNORED their request does not bode well for their future conduct or responsiveness to the people they are supposed to represent and protect.

I’m sorry, but I think that the President should have manners.

Sarah Palin’s views may “in NO WAY” represent Ann and Nancy Wilson’s imagination of what American women are supposed to be but those of us in the real world know that Palin is a lot more like our mothers, sisters and neighbors than two washed-up feminists who got their musical career by ripping off Zeppelin tunes and wearing low-cut blouses. The feminists are rapidly exposing themselves for the B.S. artists that they really are. Sarah Palin is a self-made woman who has accomplished much for the betterment of the people of Alaska. Wise up Ann and Nancy: it’s not like Palin got her political career simply because she’s the wife of an impeached ex president.

One Heart’s The Road Home CD, the admit that Barracuda is a rip-off of Led Zeppelin’s Achilles Last Stand.

Do they really have the right to be upset, when the song in question is one that they stole from someone else?

You know what is so funny, if Barack had wanted to use “Magic Man” they would have been so giddy, like school girls. But guess what Heart, your tired old “white” asses didn’t even cross Obama’s mind. He is more in tune with guys who express their change with such lovely tunes as “99 Problems and a Bitch Ain’t One Of Em”—Get the hint?

Professional Actors and Musicians need to shut up. We don’t care about your opinion just keep pumping out your craft.

From the ASCAP (American Society of Compsers, Authors and Publishers) ACE Database:

BARRACUDA
(Title Code: 320221541)

Writers:

DEROSIER MICHAEL JOSEPH
FISHER ROGER DOUGLAS
WILSON ANN (DUSTIN)
WILSON NANCY (LAMOUREAUX)

Publisher/Admini strator
(a bunch of companies that fall under Universal Music Group)

The song belongs to the songwriters, folks, and Universal administers the rights to it. Not all that hard to find out.

And for those of us who remember what happened with Springsteen and Reagan around “Born in the USA,” Reagan had grace enough to stop using the song when asked. The fact that McCain didn’t is pretty lame.

Palin is HOT!! Heart should be proud that someone like her would honor their song!

Tim.
What’s a braod?
DUH!

Heart have the rights to the song and can perform it how and when they like, BOTTOM LINE, Wilson sisters should have been consulted because the writers of the song are:
Ann and Nancy wilson, roger fisher, sue ennis, mike deroiser

when you write a song, you have paternal rights and integrity rights (right to make sure the song isn’t associated anything the artist doesn’t agree with i.e. political issues, commericial jingles). Heart started touring 1975 and stopped touring in 1994 in between making 12 studio cds and started again in 1999 to present, so they are not out of work and are still making outstanding albums (Jupiter’s darling 2004).
I support Ann and Nancy Wilson

McCain should just ignore these 2 braods and add Magic Man to his play list.

Or perhaps Baby McChange!

Dear Everyone who thinks that, in order to use a song for a commercial purpose, you first have to clear it with the artist:

You don’t. You do have to clear it with the people — or the record company — who owns the song. Clearly no one asked the Wilson sisters whether or not they could use the song at the RC. But maybe Ann and Nancy don’t own the song.

Or maybe, since no one at the Republican Convention made money from the song, did not sell the song for money at the convention — maybe they don’t have to do a damn thing.

Songs freely heard at conventions? Next thing you know they’ll be singing “Happy Birthday” at birthday parties or “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey (Goodbye)” at sports rallies.

Or maybe people will start singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” before the bottom half of the seventh inning. Chaos will rule! Empires will fall. It will be TOTAL ANARCHY!

Or maybe you Democrat hypocrites just don’t know anything.

I think Heart may be right on the legal side of the issue. But my they are whiny bitches.

Honestly how dumb are the American people who think a popular song being played at an event automatically makes the artist a supporter of the event? When I heard “Barracuda” in association with Palin, I didn’t think “hey Heart is republican!” (and anyone who makes those assumptions on any side of the political aisle is a moron) no, I thought “hey a catchy song with a relevant correlation.”

I’m ashamed of all the bands and artists who let their music be used by both political parties. Music should be above and beyond party politics, it’s a tool to express individual or collective ideas, feelings, philosophies, and beliefs. Shame on everyone who played at both the DNC and the RNC.

I must say John Rich’s “Raisn’ McCain” song has got to be the most god-awful excuse for a musical endeavor I have ever heard. And I’m middle-right!

So everybody, RS, Heart, all you angry hate-filled liberals, and you careless conservatives, you see what happens when you mix music and politics? It’s nothing but trouble for everybody. Let’s all just vote now and get it over with. I don’t even care anymore.

Hey does anybody know why Stevie Wonder supports Obama? Because he’s blind! haha.

Speaking of Republican Ted Nugent, I saw him in CNN tonight and he said that Obama wants to give “health care to all of the gluttons who don’t take care of themselves”. So, in another words if the fat, lazy gluttons would just take care of themselves they wouldn’t need any health insurance? I used to be a Nugent fan, but that was before I realized what a stupid f— he is.

Good for Heart… they don’t need to have their music ripped off by the RNC at a televised event w/o their consent. Doing so gives the impression that Heart supports the RNC and I’m absolulely sure that they DO NOT! I totally agree with Heart.

The only legal question here is “Does Heart…aka Nancy Wilson and Ann Wilson” own the song “Barracuda”. My guess is the record company owns it. Anyone who has enough money to hire a lawyer can issue a cease and desist letter for anything.

I think, after what, 30,000 years, Heart should be grateful anyone’s still listening to their Zeppelin-derivative riffs

Ann and Nancy Wilson have every right to be upset that their song was used at the RNC. It gave the impression that the Wilson Sisters
endorsed the McCain/Palin campaign. I wouldn’t want to be associated with the GOP either. The Republican Party stood in the way of the ERA Amendment ever being ratified. After eight years of the disastrious Bush administration, with the war in Iraq and the travesty of the handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the current economic hardship, is it any wonder that people feel that they have been completely fucked over?

Barracuda is an unfortunate choice of names for Palin. In the escort business, the word has a specific meaning that can be found in the glossary section of relevant websites.

Barracuda: A professional prostitute who’s only purpose is to separate you from your money as quickly as possible, preferably without giving you anything in return.

Ann and Nancy Wilson have every right to be upset that their song was used at the RNC. It gave the impression that the Wilson Sisters were endorsing the McCain Palin campaign by allowing their song to be played at the convention. I also wouldn’t want to be associated with Sarah Palin either, who will set women’s rights back 50 years IF she has her way.

Republicans suck. I fucking hate them……whew I feel better now.

after looking at these creatures in my city for the last week all I can say is republicans suck shit. these ugly fuckers cannot be voted in.they are repulsive fucksticks everyone.

the sound of silence would be most welcome!

Heart is well within there rights on this issue,and I’m glad they’re putting the breaks on this unauthorized use of their song for political gains.I’ve got a few suggestions for McCain and Palin for appropriate musical material,such as the Beatles “I’m A Loser”,Bob Dylan’s “Idiot Wind”,The Eagles “Witchy Woman”,and perhaps Joe Walsh’s “Life Of Illusion”which in this case should be retitled Life Of Delusion,because this ticket is delusional if they think they speak for the common American .They have zero ideas,especially when it comes to the economy,so they spout pablum-escent shit meant to distract people from the fact that they can’t relate to the hardships the middle class are going through on numerous fronts( lower wages,higher prices,health care concerns,etc).The theme from “Clueless” should blare every time McCain and Palin take a stage in this great nation of ours.

P/S. Thanks to George Bush Jr. & the Republicans/supporters’ bashing the DIXIE CHICKS a few seasons ago, it appears they will have to endure most of the music community’s backlash.

I play artists’ music all the time. Does that mean I am not allowed to because permission was not granted? Give me a break and be grateful that your songs are even getting air play.

To those of you that say HEART should be grateful for the “airplay”…BARRACUDA remains to this day a radio RADIO STAPLE!!! The song belongs to the band, and they have every right to voice their displeasure. “BARRACUDA” has “NEVER” stopped playing on radio all over the world since 1977. And the Wilson sisters have been getting paid “royalties” for over 30 years for the radio airplay/usage as well as their continuos ability to keep selling copies of the mother album, “BEBE LESTRANGE” & the various hits collections HEART has issued/reissued into the market for three decades. HEART’s music remains as fresh today as when it was issued. The band has apparently done very well financially.

Anyone who is talking about this usage by the Republican party as providing Heart with “more attention than they’ve had in years” obviously never tunes in a classic rock station. Barracuda and Magic Man are two songs that immediately spring to mind that receive regular rotation and I’m sure their are others as well. Not to mention the fact that unless the Wilson Sisters have been complete imbeciles with their finances over the years, and something tells me that they haven’t, then I’m sure that they have more than enough money to satisfy almost any creative whim that they may have, which is usually all most artists are looking for anyway, not necessarily “attention”, but rather the freedom to indulge in their chosen art.

If the Republicans had to use music by bands that supported them all they’d be left with would be silence.

If the Republicans had to use music by bands that supported them all they’d be left with would be silence.

Some very sick comments in this group. Why does anyone who is American act so agressive towards our freedom to choose. Both sides need to knock this shit off and act responsibly. This is perhaps the most important time in our history to come together…too many for too long have slowly gone too far - ty harder to remember we are all Americans and need to respect each other to keep our great country…GREAT!

The GOP VP pick is a Tina Fey Stepford Wife!

on another site, they were suggesting that mccain/palin use music by a more republican-friendly artist, like ted nugent.

good idea… may i suggest “little miss dangerous” for palin?????

After what happened to the Dixie Chicks, it’s a disgrace that any Artist would allow the Republicans to use their music!!!

“Legally there is no infringement of copyright in the way the campaign has used the song so far.

Heart should be grateful for the airplay.”

I agree with you Magic Man. I don’t know what their royalties from ring-tone sales would have been, or if this would have impacted their concert attendance..but one thing is for sure, the McCain campaign sure gave them more exposure than they have had in years.

I think that the Republican Party should get with Aerosmith and get permission to use the song “Same Old Song And Dance”. That totally fits.
John McCain admitted that the Republican Party has lost its way. What! The American People are suppose to give them four more years to find yourself. Give me a break!

Heart and Van Halen has every right to be pissed about the Republicans stealing their songs. The Republican Party has highjacked “Barracuda” by Heart and “Right Now” from VH and is trying to promote an image.

Artists don’t want anyone to take their songs to create their own imagery.

It reminds me of how Charles Manson and his family stole “Helter Skelter” from the Beatles. They turned a rock song into imagery of murder.

Now the Republicans are trying to take someone elses work without permission or endorsement and turn it into their own image building tool.

Joe said, “Obama used Brooks & Dunn’s ‘Only in America’ and you don’t hear them (both Republicans) complaining. Heart has no class.”

Joe, just because they are republicans doesn’t mean that they object to the Obama folks using their song. Heart doesn’t object to the McCain folks using their music because they are republicans, but more so because of the negative campaigning, warmongering, oppression of women and gays, disdain for other cultures, etc…that they were promoting at their convention.

I’m sure if Brooks & Dunn objected to Obama using their music, Obama wouldn’t still be using it, like McCain continued to use Heart’s music, even after Heart objected. THAT is what shows no class!

Heart didn’t seem to have a problem licensing their song to sell Honda mini vans in recent television advertising. What does the true meaning of the song have to do with mini vans?

Legally there is no infringement of copyright in the way the campaign has used the song so far.

Heart should be grateful for the airplay. If they’re smart they’ll compose a new song for the candidate that they support, and leverage the controversy to get more publicity.

You’re all a bunch of liberal wankers. You all like Obama because he’ll put the whole freaking country on welfare, making those of us productive higher income citizens pay higher taxes, and now you slacker losers will a steady income. You all hate Republicans because we work harder than you, which thus nets us much higher incomes than you. Came stay at my beach house in Maui and lets talk about it, liberal douchebags. And yes, I work for a record company in Hollywood.

What? No “Cat Scratch Fever” for Caribou Barbie? I think fellow hunter and right-winger, Ted Nugent would have been okay with that.

Shouldn’t you repubs be out teaching illiterate adults to read per John McCain’s suggestion last night?

The Republicans should use more appropriate songs for their image:
1. Lies! Lies Lies! by Thompson Twins
2. South of Heaven by Slayer
3. The Number of The Beast by Iron Maiden

McCain/Palin need to go get a Stryper song.

The right says Hollywood, the liberal left, etc. is evil until the right wants to use some rock and roll to promote themselves; then even the law won’t stop them!

Wow, it’s stunning how many people blindly support the Republicans no matter what they do, even when they’re clearly BREAKING THE LAW.

It has nothing to do with partisan politics. They are BREAKING THE LAW by using someone else’s PROPERTY without their permission. END OF STORY.

If you can’t grasp that, you’re an idiot.

Obama used Brooks & Dunn’s “Only in America” and you don’t hear them (both Republicans) complaining. Heart has no class.

These Republican boneheads. The song “Barracuda” is not a compliment. It is a negative song about the recording industry.

It is obvious that Heart does not stand for the beliefs of John McCain or Sarah Palin. I don’t blame them one bit for being angry. When I heard it I thought is Heart endorsing this ticket. I didn’t believe for a minute that they would. Then to read the headlines this morning it was confirmed that the Republican Party used it without their permission. Way to go Ann and Nancy, take back what belongs to you!

I’m glad to see this story out today, as last night I wondered if Heart had actually allowed that song to be used at the convention. I was in shock. Those Wilson girls can’t really be Republicans, I thought. Good to know the truth. (If it were me, I’d want to sue the Republicans for their audacity).

on Baba’s comment:
John McCain probably wouldn’t be on the cover of Rolling Stone because he isn’t in it to be a rockstar. Obama is the Milli Vanilli of politicians

I’m glad they told them to knock their shit off. Why should they allow the Republicans to use it, especially if they do not follow the credo of the Republican party. Would they allow the KKK to use their music to espow some of their idiotic viewpoints? Of course not! The Republicans should have asked first, been told no and then fucking moved on!

I could care less about Sarah Palin…to me, she’s nothing but a possible V-Pilf!

“I use to be a heart fan. Not anymore. Will not lesson to your music anymore girls.”

First of all Heart has EVERY right to tell those assholes to not use their music - PERIOD. I’m sure Heart wouldn’t want such a shallow, closed-minded, idiot to even listen to their music. To discard somebody’s music, especially as a fan, just because the artist doesn’t support your political beliefs is un-American IMO. I’d like to see how you react if somebody took/ used something of yours without permission. Then again I’m sure it would okay as long as they were Republican.

Heart has EVERY right to tell those assholes to not use their music - PERIOD. I hear the same crap every four years…”The GOP is all about good ‘ole American core values!” Really? If so, then why does the GOP CONSTANTLY try to use an artist’s music without even asking? Isn’t this something we try to teach our children when they’re young? There’s an example of good ‘ole Republican core values.

Oh! What a relief! When I heard “Barracuda” after Sen. McCain spoke, I was wondering if the Wilsons gave consent. I’m happy to say I have the tune on my web playlist in the spirit in which it is intended after all. Royalties should always go to good people too! Enjoy! Java Jive Jay

Jughead–your name fits

Wow, those GOP fans at the convention sure can’t dance. Since when did having your arms over your head in a slow wave-like gesture become their national dance.
F’ing morons.

Do you think he even knows what is going on? I think those chose Nurse Palin so that someone would always be there to take care of grandpa.

Yeah, this would make for a good RS weekend poll. What would be a better entrance song for Sarah Palin at the RNC:

(1) “Devil Inside” - INXS
(2) “Hell Awaits” - Slayer
(3) “Bitch” - Alanis Morrisette
(4) “Dazed and Confused” - Led Zeppelin
(5) “Brain Damage” - Pink Floyd

How can you trust any group who repeatedly ignores the law and the wishes of the owners of the music?

Simply getting permission beforehand is all that would be required, and whoever is selecting the music clearly has to know this.

And for those complaining about the musicians trying to make a dollar from their music, least I remind you the USA is build on capitalism, not communism.

What the musicians want is as capitalistic as it gets, what the RNC is doing is as communist as it gets, with reguard to music.

I’m sure McCain / Palin would not approve, or at least I hope not.

Stop using the song or Ann Wilson will eat you!

and Keith Urban is Australian, so I don’t think he’ll be voting either…jackass.

what song they were using since his hearing went with his age.

Toby Keith is actually a Democrat. And I don’t even like country music…who’s the idiot now?

tetsuojin wrote:
Why don’t the Republicans use some dumb county hick song by Toby Keith or Keith Urban? It’s more appropo, since most of those idiots are small town, country hicks, and one thing’s for sure…most country music artists are true blue Republicans.

Don’t think for a minute that this wasn’t a calculated move to mislead voters! If the GOP is so obtuse that they don’t know they should seek permission to use artists’ music, then they really have no business running the country. But then again, if they know better, and they do it anyway, that’s even worse! It’s a lose, lose with the GOP! If “it’s just music, or “it doesn’t matter”, then why play anything at all? Or, why not play a song by the Dixie Chicks?! I love those ladies!!!

i fucking HATE sarah palin

Memo to Rolling Stone mag: Look at what has happened to your readers. Just read the comments on this story. It feels like I’m on some wingnut blog. Maybe you should start putting John McCain on your cover, as that seems to playing to your reader base a lot more.

here are some other options for the republigoons-
easy e - “bitches ain’t shit”
ted nugent - “stranglehold”
john lennon - “instant kharma”
public enemy - “by the time i get to arizona”
mudhoney - “touch me i’m sick”
n.w.a. - “fuck the police” (too obvious)
nirvana - “negative creep”
butthole surfers - “chewing george lucas chocolate”

The Republicans should use songs by douche-bags like myself. We love war-mongers

I USED TO (not anymore) play Heart songs while riding my Harley in public. Know I’m going to delete all HEART (less) songs from my MP3 player as I don’t want to be charged for playing their music in public. (please don’t take me serious, but I am removing them) Why don’t they just come out and say I want money or I am an Democratic supporter. They would at least save some integrity.

So this has nothing to do with Vietnam right? Anne Wilson the daughter of a military officer. Anne Wilson’s boyfriend at the time, was a draft dodger who ran off to Canada. No, I don’t suppose Anne Wilson, would want a P.O.W. from the Vietnam War using her song. How petty ,is that the Democrat Party today? Petty, Mean Spirited can’t tolerate any opinion that doesn’t agree with theirs? Democrats the Party of CONFORMIST they all march in lock step so did Nazis. Sad Sacks.

Hey “tetsuojin”, what a wonderfully misinformed, ignorant, and intolerant rant from you! Especially since Keith Urban is from Australia, married to Nicole Kidman, and a recovering crack-addict. Sounds more like a perfectly normal Hollywood Democrat than a “country hick” to me!

I think it is safe to say that the republicans operate with their own set of rules and not rules of everyone else.
Should have asked for permission!

absolutely sue the pants off john mccain and sarah palin,, its the american way…..

Americanwoman posted “Are you prepared to cut your profits in half?”

As a songwriter I must say without hesitation that YES I would absolutely cut my profits and exposure in half to protect the integrity of my work. There are far more important things in life than money.

The Republicans aren’t stupid. They know (as do the Democrats) that linking music and image is a powerful combination that can, when done effectively, create an amotional bond the the product being sold. “Barracuda” is a popular tune on the “Guitar Hero” video game. My children know it well and they actually said “cool” when they heard it being played in the convention. It is an overt attempt to make the over-the-hill candidate and his sportscaster runningmate seem hip. It is a smart move… but you have to clear the song usage with the artist first.

And I’m hardly in love with the Democrats either - so this is not a partisan rant. The difference between the two on this matter seems to be that the artists being used by the Democrats actually support the candidate and his views.

McCain’s campaign should use Kenny Chesney’s Flip Flop song as their theme. Old Juan is lying through his teeth to the American public about what he would do as President.

One thing that is very predictable about Juan McCain is that he will stab you in the back and do the opposite of what he says he will do. Unless you’re a lobbyist with loads of dough!

I use to be a heart fan. Not anymore. Will not listen to your music anymore girls.

Why don’t the Republicans use some dumb county hick song by Toby Keith or Keith Urban? It’s more appropo, since most of those idiots are small town, country hicks, and one thing’s for sure…most country music artists are true blue Republicans.

I use to be a heart fan. Not anymore. Will not lesson to your music anymore girls.

The reason Ann & Nancy Wilson are furious is that the McCain campaign did not ASK and PAY (ka-ching!) for using the song “Barracuda”. Interestingly enough, the Wilson sisters are high on their horses explaining the song was originally written as a ‘scathing rant against the soulless corporate music business.’ Meanwhile, permission and payment were granted for using the song in a 2008 Honda TV commercial! What hypocrisy. I guess promoting a Japanese product is worthy of their precious song and the election process we value as Americans is not.

Keep playing the music and pay them royalties.

I must admit that I do think that musicians who are presented at these conventions support the candidates. I always imagine that permission has been given to use their work.

Stevie Wonder who performed a song for Barack and Michelle is one end of the spectrum. He’s clearly an Obama supporter. The more instrumental or stripped versions of songs probably do not imply any kind of endorsement. But when a song is being co-opted as the theme song for a candidate it seems the artist should be asked for and give their permission.

The guy who put the GnR tracks on his computer was arrested and charged, and he wasn’t even trying to make money off of them.

The Re-Pubs obviously had hopes of using this song for their political gain, which is slightly less than saying for monetary gain, since they’re practically one in the same.

I’m a songwriter and I surely would not want anyone to use one of my songs to sell any product without my consent. Really doesn’t matter what the the product; soap, cars, soda, politicians, etc.

the comments here defending the republican’s efforts to steal copyrighted music sound like 5th graders with words such as “wah wah” or “dumb wilson sisters” or “such scum.” people, the writers of the song are saying they would not like it used to *promote* someone’s beliefs in which they disagree. they aren’t saying they want people to stop listening and i am pretty sure they dont care about their profits (nancy wilson still works on many of her husband’s films). not to mention, does the McCain campaign even understand the lyrics to Barracuda? or do you guys just blindly rush to defend any Repub action and if there is no defense, then hey … start calling names. on second thought, i know 5th graders with more intelligence…

Of course they should get permission, and any politician advocating DMCA has no excuse.

I think McCain should use “Pet” by A Perfect Circle for his theme song anyway.

Music it would cost millions of dollars to the right to do it. Why do the Republicans even think they can broadcast it for free in the first place. Seal and Van Halen turned my company down. It is the norm that bands protect their brand. No one gets it for free

It’s business, people…

Foolish to not get permission

Amendment to my previous post; some other folks got in before I posted that also had the right idea about this

Every post here so far, apart from Jungleland’s, is completely ignorant and mis-informed. Heart, as a business entity with songs as their product, has every right to sanctioning control over the usage of their music. This is no different than when certain advertisers choose not to advertise their products on a television show that they feel doesn’t represent the image that their company wishes to project. Heart’s business product has been hi-jacked and used in a way that they feel does not reflect the ideals of their business and they have every right to submit cease and desist orders to the McCain campaign. And to the few posters who mentioned “blah, blah, blah… see what this does to your profits you dumb Wilson sisters”; I know its hard to believe sometimes in this world we live in, but some people do still choose to hold their personal beliefs and standards as being more important than profit margins and bottom lines.

Er, these songs are not for the people to use whenever they please. Regardless of political leanings, whoever engages in doing this is breaching copyright laws. It’s there to protect musicians. Kind of worrying that any political party would be ignorant of such things while trying to run a convention/campaign.

I don’t believe Heart’s saying they don’t want conservatives to listen to their music, they just don’t want Republicans to illegally co-opt their music for political purposes, thereby insinuating that the band somehow approves of their beliefs/policies/etc.

I’m sure it’s the same with Mellencamp, with Browne, with the Boston guy, with Springsteen back during Reagan’s run…

I’m suprised the ticket could find their music. Their ideals are as old as they are. Atleast someone is still listening. How about we all stop using their music and let them know they only represent the loud half, not the good half .

After watching the lame duck speak last night of false promises and how he has people believing it is easier to live in fear and win a war that is actually impossible for us to “win,” I then started to listen to Heart’s song. My husband and I were stunned. And we both said we would never listen to their music again. It was quite bizarre that they would promote such horrible ignorant self-absorbed people. They do not. And I thank you for posting this article. I will listen to their music again. And they know their copyright laws. Just the same as Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, and Boston, and I am sure plenty more. Another sign these candidates do not know the laws. And are all in it for their own gain. Peace. Obama/Biden ‘08

How Petty! Didn’t know Heart and others only wants one-half of us Americans to enjoy their music. I had forgotten all about Heart’s song Barracuda until it was connected to the Republican campaign. Since when did music become a political affiliation. How small of you. Are you prepared to cut your profits in half?

As I went down to Gallway Town to sekk some recreation…

pardon me, spine….

…try telling that to metallica, why don’tcha?

i’m sure you remember the whole napster brouhaha? besides, the warning is on pretty much EVERY piece of music you purchase: any unlawful performance, duplication, etc. is punishable by law.

however, in regards to this particular incident…most people will ASSUME that since the artist’s material is being used by a particular candidate…that the artist performing the song SUPPORTS that candidate’s beliefs and/or ideals.

THAT’S why the ladies of Heart are up in arms! because they DON’T support mccain or his ideals.

by the way….what’s with the “crying” reference? would you have said that lars ulrich of metallica was CRYING when he ripped on napster?

nah….i doubt it!

Just another example of how the entertainment industry elite (including the folks at NBC) try to suppress views that differ from their own. Good thing we don’t turn our 1st Amendment rights over to them. Oops! If they control the courts, the 1st Amendment may go the way of Heart…

way to go Heart! It is a shame that Republicans feel they can do whatever. Their party does not have a lot of song choices considering 80% popular music is Democratic. Guess they better get out some twigs and stones to rub together and come up with an original composition! Way Off!

They should use artists that support Republican views. One comes to mind being Ted Nugent, they could have used “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” for her entrance!

I’ve listened to all these people’s music in the past. I am glad this came out. Good to know what jerks they are so I can make a decision NOT to listen to them any more. There are a lot of people who will feel the same way. NO MORE OF MY MONEY! You are all has beens any way and this is a way to try and get attention

Another great example of what kind of people Democrats are. Heart and Jackson Browne saying don’t use my song.. wah wah. Oprah won’t put Sarah Palin on her show, etc. These people are such scum.

How about Heart stops crying. Why make music and release it out into the world if you don’t want certain people to enjoy it.Not everyone knows the actual meanings behind every song. A lot of times only the artist knows this. So naturally people take the song for what it means to them personally. Stop crying and start enjoying music again. Thanks.

Heart sucks, they should be glad their dated music stills gets any attention.

Why do Republicans keep doing this? There are a few artist that are republicans or at least not super-liberals. Use their songs.

They KNOW that the singer or writer will throw a hissy-fit and it makes the republicans appear out of touch.

I nominate MYSELF as The McCain Musicologist. (Ok, what the $&%^ am I gonna play?)