Heart ask Sarah Palin to stop using "Barracuda"
 

Politicians are almost as bad as free downloaders for the amount of music they take without permission. When it was revealed that Sarah Palin’s nickname is “Barracuda” it was only a question of time before the classic Heart song of the same name was used for her Vice Presidential campaign. Sure enough, the track surfaced during Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

And sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, who make up Heart, aren’t happy. A statement issued yesterday afternoon says: “The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.”

Unfortunately the song surfaced again last night, after John McCain’s speech, raising the Wilsons’ ire once more. “I feel completely ****ed over,” said Nancy. “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.” Heart join Van Halen, John Mellencamp, and Jackson Browne as artists who have issued similar warnings to the Republicans about the use of their songs. [Rolling Stone]

How would Palin feel if someone stole her work? What an assh*le.

NICE! I am not a Sarah Palin fan...makes me happy to know Ann and Nancy aren't either : )

I don't know that Palin asked for Barracuda to be played, but clearly someone in the organization did.

http://in.reuters.com/article/entert...35341520080905

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The rock group Heart, angry that its 70's hit "Barracuda" is being used as the unofficial theme song for Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, is biting back at the Alaska governor.

The song, a nod to the "Sarah Barracuda" nickname Palin earned on the basketball court in high school, was dusted off for her appearance at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul on Wednesday.

Heart singers Ann and Nancy Wilson said a "cease-and-desist" letter has been sent to the Republicans asking them not to use the song.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," according to a statement issued late on Thursday on behalf of the sisters.

There was no immediate comment from the Republican camp.

Last month, rocker Jackson Browne sued Republican presidential candidate John McCain, the Republican National Committee and the Ohio Republican Party, accusing them of using his 1977 hit "Running on Empty" in a campaign ad without permission.

Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons' side as the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the venue to ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners.

Despite the Wilson sisters' objections, one of the song's co-writers said he was "thrilled" that the song was used.

In an e-mail to Reuters, the band's former guitarist, Roger Fisher, said it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from "the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song," Fisher said.

Fisher and the Wilsons wrote "Barracuda" with drummer Michael DeRosier. It appeared on the group's second album, "Little Queen" in 1977. The song was inspired by the band's anger over an obnoxious record label executive.

-----
despite the article above, I can't imagine this song would get further airplay out of plain respect to the principle writer of the song.

Personally...
 

who would want to use a MellenCHUMP song in the first place, his 'grass roots' style worked fine in the 80's - sucks mega-doodies in the 2000's. Dude, The 50's called, they want that hair style back.

Brian "Little dittie about Jack and Diane, two operatives working for Iran - Jack wants to execute Americans from afar and Diane wants to bomb Capitol Hill using her bomb-filled car..." j.

The BEST Music is anti-political...

When I heard it played again last night after McCain's snooze inducing acceptance speech I wondered myself how long the Wilson sisters would tolerate the use of their classic ..I'm sure that they must feel the way that any sensible women would about the wacky but scary rise of Sarah Palin.

Heart............. what a big surprise. :rolleyes:

To Heart, McCain/Palin isnt alright, but for some POS 'Soccer-Mom' Van TV ad to use one of their songs is quite okay :shrug:

:D

The TV ad PAID for the use, the f-ing Refacisticans didn't.

No shit sherlock...
 

(Wasnt being an ass at ya chili dude) I was making fun of Heart moreso than the Rethugs (Which is very easy to do these days)

I guess Ann and Nancy just don't want their song associated with an old geezer who could croak in office at any time leaving a true rightwingnut whackjob in the oval office to begin work on setting back women's rights and human rights in general back decades.I despise Bush no question but I would take that major league ****up back if I could before I saw this woman in the Presidency.

I'm sure...
 

"If the Price WAS Right", Heart would've sold the song to the GOP (Gas and Oil Party)...





Sure and monkeys would've flew straight outta my ass.

Who would want to...
 

actually? Noone with the IQ of the common desert cactus would be my guess...My apologies to those who fight for the rights of the lonely desert cactus.

Her BS statement of "This is God's war" is about as believable as William Shatner winning an Academy Award for doing Shakespeare...Really? I always thought the big dude would prefer the game of "Risk" to "war", unless were talking 'bout the band "WAR"...Then I'm sure he would be down like a clown...

Word.

She also wants to have creationism only taught in schools ,threatened to fire a librarian if she did not remove books from the shelves that she felt should be banned.And I won't go over again her idiotic notions of birth control education which did not work even for her own daughter.I'm telling you this chick should have anyone that cares about civil liberty or human rights chilled to the bone.

Yer lucky...
 

OK US Rep.Mary Fallin isnt McCabbagePatchKid's running partner - she makes Palin seem harmless by comparison.

Sad thing is Fallin is considering running for governor in a few years...I can see it now, the Cross will have 4 extensions added to make it look like the Swazstika (Which the dumbass Germans STOLE from American Indians - I think us injuns should steal their kraut/VW's in return and rename 'em just to piss 'em off)

As for "Birth Control"...A bumper sticker seen today made light of a GREAT birth control practice "Marriage = Birth Control (ie Ya not gettin' any)"

I think creationism should be taught in school...Stan Lee CREATED Iron Man, Spider Man, the Fantastic Four. Gene Roddenberry CREATED "Star Trek". AL Gore CREATED the internet, polo, tuna salad, etc. Budweiser CREATED the "King of Beers". Taiyo Kuden CREATED the CDR technology...That is the CREATIONISM I think should be taught, lol!!!

You know what's hilarious? Her father was a science teacher.

At this point nothing would surprise me about her.She seems like a parody of an extreme archetype, an invention, which would be hilarious to me too but due to the fact that this creature could be in the oval office ,in the most powerful position in the world in a very short time if fate lines up the wrong way keeps me from being able to laugh much.

there's no better chance that McCain will die in office then any ohter past president. His mom is STILL alive. Air Force One could crash any day for all we know. So what if he's 72, that shouldn't have everyone saying that means Palin is probably going to be the president if Mccain is elected.

IF he wins he will be the oldest President ever to take first term office ..he has had malignant melanoma 4 times ..his father died of a heart attack at 70 ..believe me if the McCain/Palin ticket does win which I desperately hope they do not I will be praying for John McCain's good health and longevity every day.

I have a question. what exactly are the legal ramifications of someone campaigning for office using someone's song. Someone told me that if the person running for office or his or her campaign pays royalties, they can play whatever song they want. Ive never really been all that sure of how the legal process works with regards to songs and political campaigns go.

I think that is awesome and hilarious. It's good to see people who don't want to be associated with the Republicans......:nod:


GAWWW I hope Obama wins.:blob2:

As an FYI . . .
 

Heart says "Barracuda" use is fishy
By Reuters
September 5, 2008, 10:24 pm PDT


Ann (L) and Nancy Wilson of Heart perform at the 'Idol Gives Back' show at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood, California April 6, 2008. The rock group Heart, angry that its 70's hit 'Barracuda' is being used as the unofficial theme song for Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, is biting back at the Alaska governor. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The rock group Heart, angry that its '70s hit "Barracuda" is being used as the unofficial theme song for Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, is taking aim at the Alaska governor.

The song, a nod to the "Sarah Barracuda" nickname Palin earned on the basketball court in high school, was dusted off for her appearance at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul on Wednesday.

Heart singers Ann and Nancy Wilson said a "cease-and-desist" letter has been sent to the Republicans asking them not to use the song.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," according to a statement issued late on Thursday on behalf of the sisters.

The McCain campaign said it had obtained the appropriate licenses to play the song.

"The McCain campaign respects intellectual property rights," spokesman Brian Rogers said. "Accordingly, prior to using 'Barracuda' at any events, we paid for and obtained all necessary licenses."

Last month, rocker Jackson Browne sued Republican presidential candidate John McCain, the Republican National Committee and the Ohio Republican Party, accusing them of using his 1977 hit "Running on Empty" in a campaign ad without permission.

Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons' side as the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the venue to ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners.

Despite the Wilson sisters' objections, one of the song's co-writers said he was "thrilled" that the song was used.

In an e-mail to Reuters, the band's former guitarist, Roger Fisher, said it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from "the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song," Fisher said.

But in a subsequent email, Fisher said he strongly endorsed the Democratic ticket, and would donate a portion of royalties he receives from the Republicans' airing of "Barracuda" to the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.

"With my contribution to Obama's campaign, the Republicans are now supporting Obama," he said.

Fisher and the Wilsons wrote "Barracuda" with drummer Michael DeRosier. It appeared on the group's second album, "Little Queen" in 1977. The song was inspired by the band's anger over an obnoxious record label executive.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; editing by Jill Serjeant)

Dude, that's not hilarious. That's SCARY!

I think she's going to be a great vice president -- if she gets elected! :nod: :wavey:

Ahh the devil's advocate .:laugh: gotta be since you recently stated "I don't like any of them " and "I don't vote".Nice try though.:wavey:

But seriously, folks: I'd rather have someone who has some measure of common sense & a reasonable (i.e., pro-liberty) political philosophy (perhaps I should say "leanings" or "attitude," since so few politicians actually have a political philosophy) than someone with a lot of experience but little respect for liberty or impractical ideas about how to proceed. Obama & Biden are out on the liberty count.

Paul Fussell gets my vote (again) this year.

I have seen the light .Palin is the gal for the job!A gun happy .anti-woman ,anti -gay ,book banning and abstinence only teaching theocracy is my idea of liberty too!!:blob2::blob2::blob2:!

If I were up there partying with you now, I'd klonk you on the head! Seriously, though, if I saw someone sneaking up to Stevie with a knife in his jacket -- like a crazed fan or a stalker or something -- I'd need my gun! We need all our resources to protect Stevie from insanity, no?

Yeah still wouldn't need a gun though..with my rear naked choke the stalker would be out like a light in seconds!:laugh:

I don't know why politicians have to use songs anyway i know clinton used fleetwood mac's "Don't Stop". They seemed to be pleased If an artists that wrote the song and recorded the song and they are using that song that the artists doesn't want to be associated with that political party the republicans should honor Hearts, Van Halen and Jackson Browne to not play there songs cause they should have that write they wrote the song its theres it's if an politician can't honor a musicians request before a law suit enters the picture so if they are ignoring the song writers who wrote the song to stop playing there song so to me makes me think they will ignore the american people too when stuff needs to get done in this country to get back on its feet. Palin is a qvc host that should be selling tupperware on cable.

Cheers to Heart for Fighting for there music screw Palin all she is, is McCain's Fluffer.

Will McCain's Heart Stop?
Whether the campaign needs permission to play "Barracuda."
By Chris Wilson

Ann and Nancy Wilson, the frontwomen of the rock band Heart, are demanding that the McCain campaign stop using their 1977 song "Barracuda" at political rallies after the song was played in honor of vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Does the McCain campaign have to honor the Wilsons' wishes?

Not if the campaign has the correct license. Like thousands of other songs, "Barracuda" is distributed by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, meaning that any entity that is licensed with ASCAP can play a song without getting the artist's explicit permission. This license can be held by a venue, like a club or a sports arena, and apply to all events that take place there. In this case, the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., would be the holder, but a representative tells the Explainer that the venue's ASCAP license applies only to sporting events for the Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Swarm, the professional hockey and lacrosse teams, respectively; otherwise, it's up to the people who use the premises to get their own. A spokesperson for the Republican Convention said the event did have an ASCAP license separate from the one for sports.

Assuming the licenses were all in order, the Wilson sisters probably don't have much legal recourse. But it would be a much different story if the campaign had used the song in an ad or a promotional video. While an ASCAP license covers the right to perform a song, you need a separate "synchronization license" from the publisher to put the song in an ad. Some artists ask for stipulations in their contracts with publishers that prevent their songs from being used for political advertisements or any other causes they find objectionable. (Neil Diamond, for example, is known to be very reluctant to license his songs for programming that is even vaguely political.)

Last month, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne sued the McCain campaign, the Republican National Committee, and the Ohio Republican Party over the use of his song "Running on Empty" in an ad without obtaining a sync license. Had the McCain campaign used "Barracuda" in a video montage about Palin, they would have been required to get this permission, which the Wilson sisters presumably would have rejected—assuming their publisher asked them.

It's very common for musicians to object to the use of their material. The McCain campaign has already run afoul of several other artists this year, including John Mellencamp and Van Halen. In both those cases, the artists were objecting to the use of their songs at rallies, where an ASCAP license would apply. The McCain campaign agreed to stop playing Mellencamp songs voluntarily. The issue also frequently crops up with Christian groups that do not wish their material to be used at events they find objectionable.

If the campaign chooses to continue playing "Barracuda," and so much so that it becomes associated with Palin, the Wilson sisters could have a legal claim. They might argue a violation of their "right to publicity," which protects a person from having her identity used for marketing purposes. Such protections vary by state and tend to apply to commercial products, not political messages.

From Heart's web site:
Heart Condemns the Use of the Song Barracuda at the Republican Convention
[ 9/5/2008 ]
Rock Group Heart Condemn The Use of The Song Barracuda at The Republican Convention
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have informed the McCain/Palin Campaign that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to not use one of Heart's classic songs "Barracuda," as the congratulatory theme for Sarah Palin.
The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.
"We have asked the Republican campaign not to use our music.
We hope our wishes will be honored."

Heart's message board had to be closed on Friday after an invation of trolls. Ann and Nancy's RAWK!

Personally, they ought to quit their whining. If Obama wanted to use one of my songs, I'd be honored. I might say something on the website about not agreeing with his views, but I would consider it an honor to be part of history, or something along those lines. We all should take a lesson from John McVie; he toured relentlessly behind Bill Clinton even though he is a Republican. I think it showed class. The Wilson sisters strike me a classless in this instance.

Nah I think they just know what women would have in Sarah Palin..and understanding that I can easily see why Ann and Nancy would not want her to use their song as her theme song.

The band wasn't even together anymore when Clinton chose the song for his campaign. They reunited to play it at his inaugural.

Please refresh my memory as to where/when John has said he is a Republican.

If I was a musical artist, I wouldn't want a song of mine misrepresented and used to promote a political agenda that completely differed with my own. What's classless about that?

He is right about McVie at least according to Lindsey who around the time of The Clinton inauguration described John as a "rock ribbed Republican"..there is nothing classless about the Wilson's not wanting Palin to use their song...Palin herself on the other hand seems very short on that particular quality.

Thanks... I need to track down that quote.

Well, Google "John McVie Republican" and you'll see that he says that he is quite a bit. There was also an article on the SYW that they would put Kerry stickers on his guitar case to needle him. When you release an album, you may understand you'll need all the publicity you get get! :)

Re the last comment... Based on what? She seems a lot classier than the lefty bloggers and magazines that make up stories about her. I think she's handled anything tossed at her with a great deal of class and dignity.