The Music of the Politics – Part One

It’s not uncommon or politics and rock n’ roll to cross paths, but it’s starting to get interesting. Recently, the Rolling Stones and Elton John have publicly announced that presidential candidate Donald Trump did not have permission to use their songs.

What most people don’t know is the campaign does have the right to use a song (in limited definitions) if the campaign pays the BMI and ASCAP general music licensing rights. Who are some of the other musicians that have ether tangled or allowed political campaigns to use their songs? Here’s part one of “The Music of Politics.”

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is British and cannot vote in any US presidential election, but is a political activist speaking recently of his endorsement of Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Rock and politics can go hand in hand. What politician wouldn’t welcome the endorsement of a rock n’ roll star?

Bill Clinton received permission and used the Fleetwood Mac hit “Don’t Stop” as his political theme song, including the night of the inauguration. There are many examples of politicians who use a song for political gain, only to have been asked or sued by the singer to discontinue that use.

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