Presidential Music Selections

            As the 2012 Presidential races come down to the wire, once again the candidates’ use of music becomes a hot issue in the industry. The latest issue is over Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan using Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” at a rally in Pennsylvania, per an article on Billboard.com. Snider released a statement saying, “There is almost nothing he stands for that I agree with except for the use of the P90X.” This is not the first time the Romney-Ryan campaign has been in trouble this year over their use of music. Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that Los Angeles-based band Silversun Pickups issued a cease and desist letter over use of their song “Panic Switch.” The Romney campaign went on to say the song was not used during the actual events and would not play it again.

            This issue really first made news in 1984 as explained in article from CNN.com. That year, Bruce Springsteen was ruling the pop charts with his album Born in the USA. With it’s aerobic backbeat and singsong chorus, Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign thought it would be the perfect anthem to back “Morning in America.” Famously, the Reagan campaign must not have listened the verses, which hauntingly tell of an America in shambles and how poorly the country treats its war veterans. He would also explain his stance to Rolling Stone magazine, "I think people have a need to feel good about the country they live in. But what's happening, I think, is that that need -- which is a good thing -- is getting manipulated and exploited. You see in the Reagan election ads on TV, you know, 'It's morning in America,' and you say, 'Well, it's not morning in Pittsburgh.'"

            The 2008 election also had its share of issues. Singer Jackson Browne, for using his song “Running on Empty” in a campaign ad, sued Senator John McCain. Heart went on television asking Sarah Palin to stop using “Barracuda.” Sam Moore was apparently disappointed in Barack Obama’s use of “Soul Man.” How are these campaigns allowed to just pick up music for their events without any legal issue? The NewYork Times explains the answer is blanket licenses from ASCAP and BMI. The campaigns buy these licenses similar to a restaurant or performing arts venues. So it’s not an issue of royalties. The problem becomes does the candidate’s use of their music mean that the artist has supported the candidate?

            Personally, I think a candidate should reach out to an artist before selecting their music for a campaign. With the rise of campaign videos, authorized and unauthorized, making rounds on the Internet, an artist is more likely to find out who’s using their songs. It makes that approval more critical. Artists should be able to position themselves either politically or apolitically by themselves without some campaign manager changing that perspective for them. It's also critical because music is such an important part of many's people lives and has such deep emotions that to have it tied to someone else's ideology is a strong signifier. That's why this is a hot topic and I feel that link should be direct from the artist.