MIXTAPE: Campaign Song Denied
As an early holiday gift to late-night comedians, Donald Trump just launched his “I’m totally serious you guys,” campaign for president. Before he spoke a single word of his announcement speech, he had already stepped in it, because the song he chose to enter to was Neil Young’s “Rocking in the Free World.” Young’s manager, Elliot Roberts emailed this response to Mother Jones magazine: “Donald Trump’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” was not authorized. Mr. Young is a longtime supporter of Bernie Sanders.” Young, we assume, was too busy doing a spit-take to respond himself.
But the Donald doesn’t stand alone. American political history is packed with musicians denying politicians their choice of songs, everything from Tom Petty informing Michelle Bachman she’s not his idea of an “American Girl,” to Heart denying Sarah Palin access to “Barracuda,” to that time Ronald Reagan really didn’t understand what Bruce Spingsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” was about.
Sounds like a mixtape to us. Check it out.
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