Campaign Songs

I remember when I used to watch the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) when I was younger. I was a staunch follower of Hulk Hogan, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcack, the Ultimate Warrior and so many others. I knew wrestling was fake but it was good entertainment. Sure the outcomes may have been determined ahead of time but the moves that these guys made were certainly the real thing. And at that time, I remember each wrestler having his (or her) signature entry theme that the faithful fans sung at the top of their lungs whenever their favorite superstar was entering the arena. So what does that have to do with the title to today's blog? Well I can't help comparing wrestling to the ongoing presidential campaigns of both John McCain and Barrack Obama.

In an attempt to gain some identity or come up with a theme that is meant to embody the musical identity of each candidate, the campaigns, like so many others in the past, have tried to associate certain songs or themes that they feel represent their candidates. It's much the way wrestlers have their entry songs. If you recall the campaigns of Bill Clinton or Al Gore, they both had songs which were quite representative of their efforts. Bill Clinton was known during his first term for his theme "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" and Al Gore with Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" for his 2000 run for the presidency. In both cases the original artists of both songs were okay with the candidates using the songs for their campaigning purposes. It's not so much so this time.

Recently the band The Foo Fighters asked the McCain campaign to stop using their song "My Hero" at his rallies. According to the Foo Fighters, the song is meant as a tribute to the 'common man' and perhaps they feel that someone with seven houses (though that total is still up for debate) isn't common enough to be represented by their ballad. And they aren't the only artists up in arms over usage of their songs. Sam Moore requested that the Obama campaign cease their usage of his classic song "Soul Man" during his rallies. In addition, the band Heart, John Mellancamp, and Jackson Browne requested that the McCain campaign also stop using their tunes in rallies and gatherings. Now the McCain-Palin camp is in a tizzy because according to their spokesmen, they have paid the appropriate licensing fees for the public usage of these and many other songs and therefore have the right to use them but the artists themselves don't see it that way.

I remember when Ronald Reagan referenced Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." in a speech as a reference to being 'in touch' with the youth of the 1980's. It was a windfall for Reagan who many felt was truly in touch with the youth but it was a case of a President using the mention of a popular song to paint an image. Springsteen himself was rather upset at the fact that his song was being used for political purposes and has continued to speak out on occasion over having his tunes used in such a manner. But artists performing or supporting candidates or sitting presidents is nothing new. Frank Sinatra recorded songs and gave concerts for John F. Kennedy during the 1960's and even now, some artists happily record songs for candidates they support.

But therein is the problem. Some artists' songs are being used without their knowledge and it sometimes implies that the artists themselves are in favor of the candidate. Now perhaps Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters doesn't really have issue with John McCain but it's also possible that he doesn't feel it appropriate that that song be used in reference to John McCain. Artists usually have some story in mind when they write songs and sometimes that story can be misconstrued or corrupted to such a degree that they get even more disturbed by that usage. For example, Sting often talks about how his song, "Every Breath You Take" is considered a staple at many weddings whereas he wrote it not as a romantic love ballad but as an expression of his anxiety and anger over his then-recent breakup and his attempts at stalking his ex. I don't think a song of obsession to that disturbing a degree is what those who play it at the wedding intend. But perhaps he wouldn't really have an objection if it had been used in efforts to get people to buy off on the Domestic Surveillance bill.