When Ronald Reagan was running for President against Jimmy Carter, his campaign began playing Bruce Springsteen's latter-day protest song "Born in the USA" at his rallies. The selection was quite remarkable for a couple of reasons: First, that anyone who who anything about Springsteen would know he would never support Reagan; and second, that it was obvious that no one in Reagan's campaign had ever listened to the song's lyrics beyond the chorus.
The Republican co-opting music of left-leaning musicians became epidemic in the recent election. Huckabee was asked to stop playing Boston's "More than a Feeling" on his bass guitar. The Wilson sisters of Heart had to request that the Palin people stop using "Barracuda" whenever the Alaska governor appeared to, um, share her wisdom. Jackson Browne, a long-time progressive activist, is suing the McCain campaign over using his "Running on Empty" in a television ad critical of Obama; incredibly, McCain's lawyer responded by claiming that Browne was "using" McCain to publicize his new release. Bon Jovi and the Foo Fighters also protested the use of their songs.
My suggestion to the Republicans is to stick with Gretchen Wilson and Hank Williams, Jr. However, if they really feel the need to commandeer Bruce Springsteen's music, I'd like to suggest the following songs for next time around. If Newt Gingrich makes a comeback, he might select "Hungry Heart." A good choice for Sarah Palin would be "The River." And if Huck wants to learn another bass line, he might enjoy "Part Man, Part Monkey."
I'll let you figure out why.
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6 comments:
They might even take your suggestions, given their history of musical ignorance. Well, except that last brilliant suggestion for Huckabee ~ I had to look it up ~ too f*ng perfect! :D
I'd like Gnarles Barkley's version of 'Crazy' for McCain, except that it's one of my faves.
How about 'Richard Corey' for Dick Cheney? They say that old Dick Cheney owns one half of this old town...
Hi Paul, thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment. I appreciated it very much!
I love the topic of this entry. I wrote about just this thing at length sometimes in September or October, because McCain's campaign seemed to be irritating several artists by appropriating their songs. They finally seemed to back down, and as you said, stuck with Hank Williama, Jr.
All my best,
Beth
Hello Paul, and thanks for stopping by "I Stand Corrected". I was going to suggest you read Beth's blog because she wrote about this very thing before the election, but I see that she left you a comment and that you have stopped by. Very interesting blog you have, and I'll be back. Oh yes, I did an entry based on your comment about aggravate and irritate, so be sure to stop by and take a look.
Lori
http://lori-dustypages.blogspot.com
What a bunch of losers...lol! (my word verification was "brain"..lol 2X)
Paul,
There is something for you over on my journal. Stop by when you can and pick it up. ;)
Superbly well said, Paul. I quite emjoyed this entry.
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