Just like a boxer needs his warm-up music, every American presidential candidate needs his campaign anthem. This may be an honour for bands and musicians, but it is not always the case. The American band “The White Stripes” has taken legal action against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump because he has allegedly used their super-hit “Seven Nation Army” without permission. They want to ensure that the song cannot be mentioned or played by American Republicans in the campaign. Jack White, the band’s singer and guitarist, posted a photo of the lawsuit on Instagram:
In August, Canadian singer Celine Dion announced that she would not tolerate her song “My Heart Will Go On” being used in Trump’s election campaign. In the United States, musicians have the option of taking legal action against the use of their songs in political settings, unlike in Germany. In Germany, several similar lawsuits by German artists have already failed.
Music has a long tradition in election campaigns, as many examples from American history demonstrate; the first US president gave the starting signal:
George Washington – “God Save Great Washington”
“God Save the Great Washington” is considered the personal anthem of the first president of the United States. The melody of the British anthem “God Save The King” was taken without further ado and rewritten to fit into “Great Washington”. It was a blow to the British crown; after all, George Washington had led the United States to independence from the British.
John F. Kennedy 1960 – Frank Sinatra, “High Hopes” (Grandes esperanzas)
John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra also had a friendship.
Frank Sinatra’s Oscar-winning 1959 hit “High Hopes” was given new lyrics by Sammy Cahn for John F. Kennedy’s 1960 election campaign and became the official campaign song.
Ronald Reagan 1984 – Bruce Springsteen, “Born In The U.S.A.” (Nacido en EE.UU.)
“Born in the USA” was a protest song, not an anthem for American patriots.
The song chosen for Republican Reagan’s 1984 election campaign is considered the biggest blunder in the history of campaign songs. “Born In The USA” is not as patriotic as one might initially assume. In the song, Bruce Springsteen distances himself from the Vietnam War and criticises the American government of the time and its treatment of war veterans. In the 2016 US election campaign, Springsteen supported Democrat Hillary Clinton, who was then running against Donald Trump, and was defeated.
Bill Clinton 1992 – Fleetwood Mac, “Don’t Stop” (No pares)
Bill Clinton won the election, also with the vote of Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac?
The following tactical consideration lies behind the choice of this song: “Don’t Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)” was released in 1977 and had a particularly large number of young fans in the US at the time. 15 years later, Fleetwood Mac’s fans at the time were middle-aged voters – i.e. the generation with a particularly high voter turnout, which Bill Clinton’s team hoped would help them win the election. The maths worked: Clinton won.
George W. Bush 2000 – Tom Petty, “I Won’t Back Down” (No me echaré atrás)
Musician Tom Petty (†2017) was not a big fan of Bush.
Tom Petty protested the use of his song and banned Republican George W. Bush from using it. In 2020, there was trouble again. The then acting US President Donald Trump played the song at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The heirs of the late musician then sent Trump a cease and desist letter.
Barack Obama 2008 – Stevie Wonder, “Signed, Sealed & Delivered”
Black musicians like Stevie Wonder were happy to take the stage for Barack Obama. Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed & Delivered” was played regularly after Barack Obama’s speeches during the 2008 election campaign. His message to his voters: “I own you!” Obama enjoyed the support of large sections of pop culture: Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Katy Perry were among them. Rapper and producer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas produced the song “Yes We Can” in his honour.
Donald Trump 2020 – The Rolling Stones and others
The situation in the 2020 presidential election campaign was very different: Donald Trump repeatedly used the Rolling Stones’ song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Stones singer Mick Jagger wanted to put an end to this and, together with his guitarist Keith Richards, signed an open letter in which artists opposed being hooked onto political wagons. Elton John, Lionel Richie, the band Pearl Jam and Sheryl Crow were among those who signed the letter.
(gg/ers)
