The Use and Misuse of Music in US Presidential Campaigns
As Billie Eilish and Finneas become the latest celebs to endorse Kamala Harris, here's a look at the history of music in political campaigns.
As Billie Eilish and Finneas become the latest celebs to endorse Kamala Harris, here's a look at the history of music in political campaigns.
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As the US election draws closer, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is receiving more and more celebrity support.
Last week, US megastar Taylor Swift publicly backed Harris.
Now another superstar, Billie Eilish, has endorsed Harris for US president. In a social media clip, she and her brother Finneas spoke out in support of Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, citing their pro-choice stance, and their concern for the environment and democracy.
"Vote like your life depends on it, because it does," the singer said in the video.
Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have now joined the ranks of high-profile campaigners from music and show business.
Many musicians feel honored when their music is used as a candidate's campaign anthem. However, it's not always the case.
The White Stripes vs. Donald Trump
The White Stripes have taken legal action against the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump because he used their super hit "Seven Nation Army" without permission. In a video posted on X that has since been deleted, Trump was seen boarding a plane with the iconic opening riff of the song playing in the background.
Jack White, the band's singer and guitarist, published a picture of the lawsuit on Instagram.
Back in August, Canadian singer Celine Dion announced that she would not tolerate her song "My Heart Will Go On" being used for Trump's election campaign either.
A long list of artists, including ABBA, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Foo Fighters, Guns'N'Roses, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, R.E.M., Sinead O'Connor's and Tom Petty's estates, Rihanna, the Rolling Stones and the Village People have already asked the Trump campaign not to use their music.
There is a very long tradition of using music in election campaigns. The first US president, George Washington, initiated the practice in the country.
George Washington: 'God Save Great Washington'
George Washington was the first presidential candidate to use a specific song in his election campaign. "God Save 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 given new lyrics, with the president's name replacing the words "Our Gracious King" in the song .
John F. Kennedy, 1960: Frank Sinatra's 'High Hopes'
Sammy Cahn wrote new lyrics to Frank Sinatra's Oscar-winning 1959 hit "High Hopes" for the Kennedy election campaign in 1960. It became the official campaign tune.
Ronald Reagan, 1984: Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.'
The song chosen for Reagan's 1984 re-election campaign is one of the biggest misinterpretations of the meaning of a song in the history of campaign anthems.
"Born in the U.S.A." is not as patriotic as one might think. In the song, Bruce Springsteen takes a critical stance on the Vietnam War and criticizes the US government for its treatment of war veterans.
Bill Clinton, 1992: Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop'
It's believed that the choice of the 1977 hit "Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)" was a carefully calculated one. That song had been especially popular with young Americans at the time, and 15 years later, Fleetwood Mac fans were middle-aged voters — a generation with a particularly high voter turnout.
George W. Bush, 2000: Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down'
Protesting against the use of his song at campaign rallies, Tom Petty prohibited George W. Bush from using it in 2000. Twenty years later, President Donald J. Trump had the very same song played at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma — and the late musician's family sent a cease-and-desist letter.
Barack Obama, 2008: Stevie Wonder's 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)'
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder was regularly played during Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign. The message to his voters was "I am yours!" Many pop greats supported Obama, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Katy Perry. Rapper and producer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas produced the track "Yes We Can" in his honor.
Kamala Harris, 2024: Beyonce's 'Freedom'
Vice-President Kamala Harris launched her 2024 presidential Democratic nomination with Beyonce's "Freedom" as an anthem. The superstar had given permission to Harris to use her iconic song, whereas she blocked Donald Trump from doing so after a campaign video with the same hit was posted on social media.
This article was originally written in German.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2024 02:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).