Foo Fighters tell McCain to stop using song

[Refugee 7]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yet another band is complaining about John McCain's use of their song to promote his campaign. This time, it's the Foo Fighters.

The rockers sent out a missive telling the Republican presidential candidate to stop using "My Hero." They said they learned it was being use through news reports.

"The saddest thing about this is that `My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," the band said in a statement. "To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

The band noted it's not the first time McCain has been told to stop using a song. John Mellencamp, Heart and Jackson Browne have also complained — Browne even filed a lawsuit.

Soul legend Sam Moore also has asked the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to stop using "Soul Man."

"The McCain-Palin campaign respects copyright. Accordingly, this campaign has obtained and paid for licenses from performing rights organizations, giving us permission to play millions of different songs, including `My Hero,'" said McCain-Palin spokesman Brian Rogers.

[agirl 0]

I know it's legal to do this, but if it was my music and McCain was playing it I'd scream!!

[notatall1234 0]

legal or not, I still think these guys need to stop doing it without the artist's permission. it gives the impression that the artist endorses the candidate when they may not.

[AmyLou 5]

^ sorry dude, that's the way the copyright law is written (apparently). If they went through the appropriate steps then I can't complain. Maybe something the Foos should take up with their publisher...

[Dynabeat Tim 0]

Do these "artists" return the money to the purchaser of their music, if the person has a different point of view ? Maybe they need to put stickers on the CD's that state " you may not buy this Cd if your political view does not agree with ours " What kind of censorship is this ? Maybe they need to stop "selling" their music, and just play it live. Do you think the people who make cars would comlain if a candidate uses their cars ? ( IE. KIA has issued a warning to the Obama camp to stop using their KIA cars to take Sen. Obama, as this may look as though the KIA corporation is endorceing Sen. Obama for president ) LOL......these artists need to learn that their "art" is merely a "product" that generates money for their company and them.

[pettyfreak94 1]

Wow.. it doesn't hurt to just ask the band before you go out and do it

I'm pretty sure McCain would've been able to come down to an agreement

[wild1forever 152]

Even though it is apparently legal, it's still bad manners.

I assume that when the campaign plays "My Hero," it's in reference to McCain? :eek:

[Echosoftom 3]

I agree Toni, it's just a rude ass thing to do. And, it does give people the impression that the band endorses the candidate.

[normandi 21]

There is the legal side of this discussion and the creative side. The artist has indeed offered the use of the song through legitimate licensing. It appears that the McCain campaign has appropriately purchased such a license.

The artist certainly has the right to ask the campaign to stop using the song. The campaign out of courtesy may choose to comply. However they do not legally have to do it if they have purchased the proper licenses.

The caliber of artists who have complained about the use of their songs are among the highest level of celebrity in the music world and as such can make strong public statements as to their disagreement over the use of the song. However if the campaign has using the material through legally accessed means then there is not much the artist can do other than publicly denounce and express their personal distaste as to the use of their material.

[Beamish 0]

It's pretty stupid of the McCain camp to keep making this mistake over and over again. Obama should thank him for it, because it only makes McCain look desperate instead of hip to use those songs in the first place- I don't believe for an instant that he listens to any of that music. Nor would I assume that just because someone uses a particular song, that means the artist endorses them- it just means they think the song will generate interest from their target audience.

[Refugee 7]

Seriously, it just makes both parties look like idiots.

Be smart, ask the artist or band first if they can "use" the tune. Earn the respect of the artist/band and the fans that follow them.

Those who know the music and the bands know that most of these artists and bands do not support McCain or the Republican party. So why keep trying? Duh!

[KansasPettyFan 1]

It may be legal but certainly arrogant to not ask permission. Just makes anybody doing it look stupid.