Irving1992
10-10-2008, 07:24 AM
In a story that sounds all too familiar, John McCain has once again angered a group of musicians for his unauthorized use of their music. This time, it’s the Foo Fighters.
The band revealed in a statement how upset they are that John McCain has been using their 1997 hit "My Hero" as his current campaign theme song.
The band writes, "This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist. It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property."
They also add, "The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song. We hope that the McCain campaign will do the right thing and stop using our song — and start asking artists' permission in general."
This isn’t the first time Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain has found himself in trouble for unauthorized use of music. McCain has also angered bands Van Halen and Heart for his use of their songs "Right Now" and "Barracuda", respectively.
The Foo Fighters made headlines in 2004 for their support of Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry. The title of their 2005 record, In Your Honor, was reportedly inspired by the experience. The band’s website currently features a note urging people to vote in the coming election in November.
The band is currently taking a "long break" from touring and recording music and hope to return eventually with a new sense of being.
Report by David Lowe-Bianco.
Oh well. :/
The band revealed in a statement how upset they are that John McCain has been using their 1997 hit "My Hero" as his current campaign theme song.
The band writes, "This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist. It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property."
They also add, "The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song. We hope that the McCain campaign will do the right thing and stop using our song — and start asking artists' permission in general."
This isn’t the first time Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain has found himself in trouble for unauthorized use of music. McCain has also angered bands Van Halen and Heart for his use of their songs "Right Now" and "Barracuda", respectively.
The Foo Fighters made headlines in 2004 for their support of Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry. The title of their 2005 record, In Your Honor, was reportedly inspired by the experience. The band’s website currently features a note urging people to vote in the coming election in November.
The band is currently taking a "long break" from touring and recording music and hope to return eventually with a new sense of being.
Report by David Lowe-Bianco.
Oh well. :/