10 songs the McCain/Palin campaign attempted to use that made the artist in question very, very angry
Published Oct. 28, 2008
1. John Mellencamp - "Our Country" and "Pink Houses"
Mellencamp was the first to pull his songs from McCain rallies. He said the message in his lyrics was in conflict with the GOP ideology. But with all the lyrics about pill popping, perhaps "Pink Houses" would be a good theme song for Rush Limbaugh. (Too soon?)
2. Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Goode"
While Berry never sent a letter or complained about McCain's use of his iconic '50s hit, he was very clear about which candidate he was supporting. When asked about McCain's song choice, Berry endorsed Barack Obama.
3. Jackson Browne - "Running On Empty"
Technically, this was not the work of the McCain campaign, but that of the Ohio Republican Party. Nevertheless, Browne sued for the song's unauthorized use in an anti-Obama ad about gas prices.
4. Van Halen - "Right Now"
It might have seemed like a logical choice, since Palin rhymes with Van Halen and the band allowed George Bush to use the song in 2000, but Van Halen was upset the song was used without its permission. Meanwhile, Garry Cherone offered to write McCain a new campaign song, to which he said, "Thanks, but no thanks."
5. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
The McCain campaign would open and close rallies with the theme from "Rocky III" until Survivor told them to cut it out. But it wasn't a big loss: McCain still plays Bill Conti's "Gotta Fly Now," the main theme from the "Rocky" movies, at events. And the Italian Stallion himself, Sylvester Stallone, endorsed McCain in January.
6. Heart - "Barracuda"
Rock duo Heart went crazy on the McCain campaign when their song "Barracuda" had been used to introduce Sarah Palin, whose nickname as governor was Sarah Barracuda. Nancy Wilson of Heart told Entertainment Weekly she felt "completely fucked over," and the band issued a prepared statement saying "Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women."
7. Orleans - "Still the One"
Orleans frontman John Hall, now a U.S. representative (D-N.Y.), also wrote a cease-and-desist letter in 2004 when President Bush used the soft-rockers' hit in his re-election campaign.
8. Bon Jovi - "Who Says You Can't Go Home"
While his song was licensed for public use by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (as was "Barracuda"), Jon Bon Jovi still requested the campaign stop using his homage to New Jersey.
9. Foo Fighters - "My Hero"
The Foos are the most recent rock group to ask the McCain campaign to cease and desist the use of one of their songs. The result? Lots of headlines about how McCain is not Dave Grohl's hero.
10. Gretchen Peters - "Independence Day"
Country singer/songwriter Peters became infuriated when her song, recorded by Martina McBride, was used to introduce Palin at rallies. But instead of sending a letter, Peters took a less orthodox approach. Any royalties she collects from the use of the song during the election season she will donate to Planned Parenthood on Palin's behalf.