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Turning Up the Volume on Campaign Music
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ShareAugust 25, 2008 4:35 PM
ABC's Sara Just reports: With web rumors that Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi may be performing at this week's Democratic National Convention in Denver (which a source close to Springsteen knocked down Monday) the campaign music wars are in full swing. Will the McCain camp attempt to book a big musical guest of its own? And what songs will the candidates select for the moment they walk on stage to accept their party's nomination?
Both candidates have a series of know-them-by-heart popular songs that routinely can be heard at their campaign events. Obama is partial to Springsteen's "The Rising" and U2's "Beautiful Day." At Saturday's rally in Springfield, Illinois with new ticketmate Joe Biden, the Obama campaign played country mega-hit, "Only in America," by Brooks and Dunn, which was, ironically, also a staple of President George W. Bush's campaign events when he was running for office.
John McCain's campaign has also favored the sounds of Brooks and Dunn this year, playing "That's What It's All About," as well as Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" at many rallies. ABCNews' Bret Hovell reports hearing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," at a few McCain events, although Diamond recently acknowledged that Caroline Kennedy, who chaired Obama's veep selection committee, was his inspiration for that song.
It may seem like a frivolous part of campaign theatrics, but it is not without its potential pitfalls.
Just ask John McCain. Earlier this year John Mellencamp's lawyers brought a cease and desist order against McCain for playing his tunes, "Our Country," and "Pink Houses" without permission.
And now Jackson Browne, a liberal activist since the No Nukes days, is suing the McCain campaign for copyright infringement for using his hit, "Running on Empty," in a negative ad about Barack Obama.
Springsteen has long stood at the crossroads of politics and pop music, with themes of struggle and survival among the working class prevalent in his work. Springsteen campaigned for John Kerry in 2004 and and his most recent release, "Magic," has many songs that speak to anger with Bush Administration policies.
But back in 1984, the political connections came without his ok. When Springsteen's blockbuster, "Born in the USA" was climbing the charts and selling out concerts at stadium arenas, his music was invoked by President Ronald Reagan at campaign re-election rallies and speeches without the artist's permission. Reagan spoke of the "message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen."
Springsteen fans have been pointing out ever since that Born in the USA is actually an anti-war anthem. But at a campaign rally, maybe people aren't listening too closely to the lyrics.
August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (10)
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Good idea. Make it louder to bury the shady voice of Zero-bama.
Posted by: Atom | Aug 25, 2008 4:53:20 PM
SEX AND DRUGS..The trademark of the demofrat party Hey wheres John edwards wasn't he invited lmao
Posted by: Hilly-Billy | Aug 25, 2008 5:04:48 PM
Black Sabbath's War Pigs would be an extremely fitting song playing in the event that Bush introduces McCain. Both love carnage.
Posted by: Huh | Aug 25, 2008 5:15:10 PM
War Pigs is an appropriate anthem for both the Republican and Democratic wings of the Israel First party.
Posted by: Doug | Aug 25, 2008 5:54:11 PM
Doug - Agreed.
Posted by: Huh | Aug 25, 2008 5:57:44 PM
Is Bill Clinton going to speak at the convention? If so, he could play "Just a gigalo" cause he's got no place to go.........
Posted by: theman | Aug 25, 2008 5:58:55 PM
It still surprises me how many people don't see the value in war when it is needed. There are lots of bad people in the world, that would cut your throat in the name of Allah, and war on their land keeps us safe at home. Yet, the young dumb hippies of today are still out raging against the very strength of conviction that provides them with protection. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. America is the best country on Earth - stop hating your country, if you don't like it, leave, there are plenty of socialist countries in Europe. Of course, most of them are slowly switching back to capitalism, but keep trying that failed non-free system, but it isn't going to happen here in the Land of the FREE.
Posted by: Millions of People | Aug 25, 2008 6:27:36 PM
Some people say (imagine a whiny voice) "but if we leave the terrorists alone, they'll leave us alone..." - - this has never proven to be true on any level of life. The bullies in my school didn't leave me alone because I left them alone, they wanted to dominate, so they picked on people, beat people up. It happens the same way on the world stage. Look at Russia. Bullies like to pick on people, dominate people, this is what they do. If the Land of the Free doesn't keep things in check, they won't keep themselves in check. How is this hard to understand? It never ceases to amaze me at how thick headed some people can be.
Posted by: Millions of People | Aug 25, 2008 6:32:18 PM
I haven't see Obama's favorite Rap star on the list of entertainers.
Isn't he scheduled to sing his tribute to Obama. That should really unite the Democratic Party.
Posted by: Gracie | Aug 25, 2008 6:45:58 PM
Hey "Millions of People" the US is the bully -you don't get it with your narrow view of the world and one way perspective. Most of the planet knows it except for the rednecks and neocons.
Posted by: scott brookdale ca | Aug 29, 2008 12:21:18 AM
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