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Music's Big Names Don't Like John McCain

October 16, 2008 3:17 PM

Nm_musicians_081015_mn It seems a lot of music's biggest names simply don't like the sound of John McCain.

Bon Jovi's the latest rocker to complain about the McCain campaign using his songs at rallies and events. On Wednesday, he released a statement slamming the campaign’s use of his hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home":

"We are surprised to hear that our song 'Who Says You Can't Go Home' was used by the McCain campaign at rallies yesterday and today," the Jersey rocker/vocal supporter of Barack Obama said. "We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'"

Bon Jovi joins the ranks of the Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne and Heart, all of whom have railed against the McCain campaign for trying to rally Republicans with their music -- Browne even filed a lawsuit. Earlier this month, the Foo Fighters rebuked McCain for rocking out to "My Hero."

"The saddest thing about this is that ‘My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," the band said in a statement. "To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

But don't assume every major musician's supporting Obama. Soul legend Sam Moore recently asked the campaign of the Democratic presidential candidate to stop using his song "Soul Man."

Sounds like both guys need to update their playlists, especially considering Obama referenced Hall & Oates at a Philadelphia event last weekend: "[John McCain] is out of touch ... and that is why he is out of time."  '80s throwbacks? Come on. Britney Spears' new single is red hot, and while "Womanizer" may not help either of them court female voters, it's got a great beat. Plus, she's probably too busy rebuilding her career to care which candidate's pumping her jams. Just something to think about.

Sheila Marikar

October 16, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (135)

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Interesting rants. I suspect that the music sales of these individuals will remain unchanged despite the manure being spouted here.

Do none of you see that using the creative products of others without permission is stealing?

Says alot about YOUR morals!!

Posted by: EatRunDive | Oct 16, 2008 4:31:27 PM

We really don't care what a bunch of overpaid, drug taking, drunks who aren't worried about paying more in taxes think.

There isn't an honest politician out there - we are just trying to chose the lesser of 2 evils.

Posted by: madmom9 | Oct 16, 2008 4:35:59 PM

Of course they don't like McCain, he's not a "CELEBRITY" like Obama!!

Posted by: Francisco Cardenas | Oct 16, 2008 4:38:18 PM

While I do love Bon Jovi (mainly his 80s stuff) I must say he and the others (including the ones on McCain's side) are being huge babies about the whole thing. Its a stupid song, not a political endorsment. Get over it. You made music for others to enjoy, stop worrying about it. One band that i have to agree w/ is the country band Brooks and Dunn. When their heard their song "only in America" playing at the DNC (the same song played a Bush rally 4yrs ago and Mr. Brooks is a Republican) they issued a statement saying they were glad their song was a bi-partisan song. They didnt issue statements whining and crying about them playing their song. I am a McCain backer and let me tell ya, the music does not influience my vote one way or the other. The musicians being babies just make me not want to own their music!!

Posted by: LIFE | Oct 16, 2008 4:41:46 PM

Typical hollywood pro communist people. You know, it is cool to back a Communist. They have to tow the Hollywood line so they can get gigs and movie deals from the Communists that run hollywood.

The funny thing is, these people wouldn't have the money they have if they lived in the type of communist country they want for us. Oh yeah! They already have their money! They just don't want you to get yours.

Posted by: Chip | Oct 16, 2008 4:43:46 PM

Amazing, McCaniacs ya'll need to sit down and take a chill. Don't hate because the hip cool peeps don't like your guy or his skeezer.

Posted by: NatFrankie | Oct 16, 2008 4:45:06 PM

It's all over but the shouting. Obama won, McCain lost. We will have a real African American president who also happens to be Muslim by birthright. Talk about being inclusive. The only way we could have gone more EO is if Barack Hussein were a she. No issues, I think it is time we experimented with Socialism. So what if it failed in Russia, Cuba, China, Vietnam and everywhere else where it's been tried. We are Americans and we're bold enough to try anything once, or is the word I'm looking for Ignorant. Either way, having lived extreme left Socialism in Europe, let me tell you, we are in for quite an interesting ride... At least the Traubi is dead!!!

Posted by: itsallover | Oct 16, 2008 4:48:19 PM

You couldn't ask for a better recommendation than to be rejected by a bunch of narcissistic, uneducated, and overpaid prima donnas.

Posted by: John Kantor | Oct 16, 2008 4:52:39 PM

"Most rockers that back Obama are doing it so no one can call them racist or small minded. "

Just listen to yourself. You are such an idiot.

Posted by: WHA | Oct 16, 2008 4:57:26 PM

Its been more than a half a decade that I USE (not buy) CDs... for me they are almost like tapes... clearly those who talked about buying CDs have to be on McCain era

Posted by: Benjalamelami | Oct 16, 2008 4:57:34 PM

hey morons out there who say it does not matter what they have to say about who they support .last time i knew this was a free country and hello! these stars and alot others are americans. SO THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT!!!!

Posted by: becky m. | Oct 16, 2008 5:00:40 PM

It amazes me that a person that is supposedly running on his integrity would rip off artists for his personal gain. These artists deserve to be paid for their efforts and to use their work without authorization is theft pure and simple.

Posted by: todd | Oct 16, 2008 5:01:18 PM

Hell ya it matters that McCain is using their music for his fascist right wing warmongering. These are talented individuals who have worked hard making a name for themselves. If any of you think its easy writing popular songs and making a superstar out of yourselves, you should try it sometime. These are the top 5%, the others who have tried have failed, just because they were a little bit worse than the top. They are not all drug fiends or whatever, just because you are right wing wackos and cant stand that they influence others. You people make me sick, go listen to your Perry Como and disappear from this world ok?

Posted by: Jo | Oct 16, 2008 5:02:05 PM

who cares about all those old timer has been musicians...McCain doesnt need those hasbeen old timer crappy music ..when he has the new,number one voted highest ever evaluated by the music justice congress"scott brooklyn" who wrote "we are the light" actually named"love is the answer...Scott Brooklyn's music blows all that old crap away---go to music myspace SCOTT BROOKLYN and hear for yourself....www.myspace.com/scottbrooklynandsoulsociety720

Posted by: scott brooklyn | Oct 16, 2008 5:05:46 PM

SOOOOOOOO!! Who cares???

Posted by: lizathome | Oct 16, 2008 5:07:49 PM

I commend the artists for making a statement and standing up for their copyrighted material being used in a way they don't agree with. the persons who said "who cares" or that "it's only a song" are probably oblivious to their own stealing, downloading or plagiarizing intellectual property every day, including pages directly out of the political rhetoric playbook. think for yourselves for once instead of spouting off about how much of an idiot you are.

Posted by: darkmatterdave | Oct 16, 2008 5:08:32 PM

Scott, McCain IS a has-been crappy old-timer. He probably listens to lawrence Welk, and couldnt care less about you or your music. He would tell you to "turn that damned crap down, Im tryin to watch greta!!! Damn kids today with their loud music, and their hair..."

Posted by: JJ | Oct 16, 2008 5:08:56 PM

what are all you stupid f*cking morons going to do on November 5th? Just curious...

Posted by: Jazz | Oct 16, 2008 5:09:53 PM

Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne and Heart.

I think they all ahve Muzak version of their songs.

Bon Jovi was a low talen high image hair band at their peak, and I am being nice.

Be happy ANYBODY want to listen to your music.

Posted by: Gary | Oct 16, 2008 5:09:55 PM

These "artists" are such crybabies... When you make music, you make it for the people, and the people should have the freedom to use it how they see fit. It takes a real egomaniac to think he has to decide who can use his music and how they can use it. I hope John Mellenhead doesn't bust into my next party and tell me to turn it off because he doesn't approve of pajama jammy jam parties. Get over yourself.

Posted by: Sambo | Oct 16, 2008 5:09:55 PM

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