NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Pop powerhouses, American classics, British artists and the estates of deceased legends 鈥� many musicians have objected to using their songs at campaign events.
After a video of performing her hit 鈥淢y Heart Will Go On鈥� was broadcast at a Trump campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana last weekend, the response from her team was swift.
鈥淚n no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,鈥� a statement posted on social media read. "鈥nd really, THAT song?鈥�
Dion joins who've objected to Trump using their songs. Ahead of the 2020 election, that included Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, Panic! at the Disco, R.E.M. and Guns N' Roses.
It also includes the estates of deceased performers, too, like Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty and Prince, as well as English acts from across the pond, like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Adele.
However, Trump has obtained the cosign from a few celebrity musicians, including and Lee Greenwood, known for his patriotic anthem, 鈥淕od Bless the USA.鈥� Also heard at Trump's rally Thursday in Asheville, North Carolina: 鈥淵.M.C.A.鈥� by the Village People.
Who has recently rebuked the use of their songs by the Trump campaign?
Since the 2020 election, several artists have objected to the use of their music at Trump rallies. The Smiths' 鈥淧lease, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want鈥� played at a few Trump events, including a rally in Rapid City, South Dakota last September and in January of this year at a rally in Laconia, New Hampshire. the Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr wrote, "Ahh鈥ight鈥K. I never in a million years would鈥檝e thought this could come to pass. Consider this s鈥�- shut right down right now.鈥�
In 2022, David Porter, one of the songwriters behind Sam and Dave鈥檚 鈥淗old On, I鈥檓 Coming," tweeted 鈥淗ell to the NO!鈥� after learning Trump used the song at an NRA rally. (In 2017, it should be pointed out, Sam Moore of Sam and Dave performed 鈥淎merica the Beautiful鈥� at a pre-inauguration concert for Trump.)
Fast forward to Monday, when the son of the late soul singer Isaac Hayes, whose father co-wrote 鈥淗old On, I鈥檓 Coming,鈥� that he and his family have threatened legal action against Trump 鈥渇or 134 counts copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the song 鈥楬old On I鈥檓 Coming鈥� at campaign rallies from 2022-2024.鈥�
Can artists legally object to their songs being used in political campaigns?
Yes, however, artists rarely have full control over where, when, and how their music is played. Performing rights organizations that represent most recognizable recorded music 鈥� ASCAP and BMI 鈥� require political campaigns to obtain licenses that allow them to use large troves of songs from their vast catalogs.
That means a political campaign does not have to do individual negotiations over every song used.
If a political license is acquired, artists can object to its use, and the song is pulled from the license.
The issue, of course, is that not every campaign immediately honors those requests.
And it is important to note that these political licenses go beyond a public performance license, which allows venues to play copyrighted music.
What are some other examples of artists objecting to the use of their songs in campaigns?
Continuing with 鈥淗old On, I'm Coming鈥�: In 2008, Moore asked former then still a candidate, to stop using the song. He didn't want it to be considered an endorsement. They complied.
After Obama was elected president, Moore performed at the Creative Coalition鈥檚 Inaugural Ball alongside Sting and Elvis Costello.
How do artists stop politicians from using their songs?
They can send cease-and-desist letters, like did after his song "Happy鈥� was played at a Trump rally in 2018. John Fogerty did the same in October 2020 over the Trump campaign's use of 鈥淔ortunate Son鈥� by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Few escalate to the point of suing, but it is not unheard of: Neil Young in August 2020 over the Trump campaign鈥檚 use of his music including 鈥淩ockin鈥� in the Free World." He later voluntarily dismissed the case 鈥渨ith prejudice," which means it cannot be brought again.
Eddy Grant sued Trump in September over the use of his 1980s hit 鈥淓lectric Avenue鈥� in a Trump campaign animated video that mocked Joe Biden.
By Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
