The GOP used Heart’s Barracuda as one of their theme songs, presumably in honor of Sarah Palin who got the nickname playing high school basketball. This stanza seems apt for the convention:
If the real thing dont do the trick
No, you better make up something quick
You gonna burn burn burn burn it to the wick
Ooooooohhhh, barra barracuda.
Update And, of course, the McCain campaign did not get permission to use Heart’s song. Ann and Nancy Wilson say:
“Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.”
It’s getting to where we could probably make a pretty good play list with songs the GOP has been asked not to play anymore.
I love how theme music can at once convey the thing you want, while at the same time, those who know the music are aware of the unfortunate unintended message.
I’m reminded of a Microsoft ad campaign from many years back, I think touting a new operating system. They used a Rolling Stones song, highlighting the lyric, “If you start me up, I’ll never stop”. The chorus, of course, is, “You make a grown man cry”. Oops.
Or, how about the cruise line ads. Is it Royal Caribbean? I can’t remember, but they use Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life”. Great, awesome tune with a lot of energy and an upbeat repetition of the line “I’ve got a lust for life”. Problem is, I know that song too well. The next line goes, “I’m a-beating my brains. With the liquor and drugs. Liquor and drugs”. I always was happy to fill in those lines for my wife’s benefit when the thing aired.
Well, as usual, it’s a shortfall in the vetting.
Well, you have to give them a break. They’re not hip enough to actually download all the lyrics and read for implications.
Is it me, or was that speech not thrilling last night? Who knew that John McCain had served so well in the military? I had no idea how much he’d been tortured and will bring that experience to the White House with him. In fact, I’ll bet he’ll mention that now and then on the trail. It’s a shame none of his surrogates or family are willing to bring up the subject.
And all of those great policy proposals last night — home schooling and private school vouchers to defeat the evil teacher’s unions, drilling everywhere and everything (Betcha he got that idea from great family gal Sarah), and defending the homeland security against all enemies.. even before they attack us. Why I wouldn’t be surprised if Obama just threw in the towel and stepped aside for Hillary and John to win. Oops, I mean Sarah.
“Fire the teachers” was a big applause line. I wonder if Sarah Palin joined the PTA in response to the school’s stance on sex education?
They lead into one of the videos with the piano opening to “Right Now” by Van Halen. I think they’ve also asked the campaign to cease and desist previously. Could be wrong, but seem to recall that. Maybe they got paid.
Given the GOP’s enthusiasm for dismissing most people in the entertainment business as crazy leftist liberals…
Speaking as a crazy leftist liberal I applaud the Wilsons, but their statement will have absolutely no effect whatsoever.
Don’t those Republicans know yet that they just need to stick to Metallica songs? Duh.
Country is preferred.. but I wanna play it backwards so we get back our truck, the dog , the house….
If only kindred spirits performed, they would be left with Ted Nugent and Pat Boone.
Which one of them gets Wang Dang Sweet Poontang? (h/t Ed Brayton.)
It’s pretty obvious (based on all the GOP convention buttons proclaiming her the “hottie”, not any sexism on my part, oh no siree) that Palin can have the Nugent catalog (plus Nugent side-project products like “Coming of Age” by Damn Yankees), and Grandpa McCain can have the Pat Boone catalog serve as his openers and closers. One caveat–if Pat Boone remakes Barracuda then Palin can use that.
Doug –
I would suppose the Republicans cleared the rights to the song through ASCAP – so Heart will get the standard check for licensing.
Usually the check is the only notice the performer gets (and the one that most of them care about!)
I believe there are some separate legal issues about getting permission to use a performer’s work as a “theme song.”
“Wang Dang Sweet Poontang”?
Don’t care what your politics are – that one has to go to Bill Clinton by acclamation!
As to the song rights, the link Doug put up just said the Heart ladies don’t like their song being used for Palin – it doesn’t address whether the use of the song was licensed or not. Artists vary in how closely they track that, and the ASCAP system puts it at arms length for a lot of them.
If they didn’t license the song, hammer away – but I’d bet a fast-food lunch (super-sized) that they did.
For those interested in ASCAP music licensing:
ASCAP Licensing (‘About’ page)
I agree with Brenda. Besides, I smile when I think of Ann Wilson’s reaction when she heard about it. Likely, not fit to print. ;)
Well, in the case of James Brown, “the suit alleges that by using a song famously associated with Mr. Browne, Senator McCain and the Republican Party violated the United States Lanham Act by falsely suggesting that Mr. Browne is associated with and endorses Senator McCain’s candidacy.”
Unfortunately, they don’t cite paragraph and section, and the Lanham Act is LOOOONNNGGG…
Uh… Jackson Brown… eep.
Jackson Browne… sigh
Just to clarify for T…”Fire the teachers†was a big applause line.”
If you’re gonna quote someone, at least do it accurately, what was said was “We’ll help bad teachers find a new line of work.” and I can’t imagine even a liberal arguing with that. Who want’s bad teachers besides the NEA?
As if a major problem with the country in the last eight years has been bad teachers.
I can’t speak for all the other teachers out there, but I know I became an educator for the money. And the glory. But mostly the money.
Amy, all that dripping sarcasm has made a mess. “Glory”, eh?
Amy –
Not for the raw, despotic power, swaying the earth and making the mountains tremble?
I think that’s why my first grade teacher did it…
Well, I won’t deny that the power was great. And sure, the fame had it’s fun moments. The accolades and fanfare got to be overwhelming, but the money made it all worth it.