Maybe John McCain will bring back "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran"

Political candidates love to get the juices flowing at campaign rallies by playing pop hits that, well, supposedly capture the spirit of their campaigns. But isn't it a little embarrassing when a seemingly endless array of singers and songwriters behind the songs start going public, asking you to stop using their tunes? That's what has happened to the McCain campaign in recent days. As Ana Marie Cox notes at Time's Swampland blog, McCain is running out of songs to play at his rallies after getting cease-and-desist complaints from a slew of artists, including Van Halen, the Foo Fighters, Jackson Brown and Heart.

Cox links to all the various complaints. They include the Foo Fighters, who said their song, "My Hero," was being used in a way that "perverts the original sentiment of the lyric" since it was written "as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," as well as Heart, who after seeing Sarah Palin appear at the Republican National Convention, accompanied by "Barracuda," issued a scathing statement saying the group had never authorized use of the song, adding "Sarah Palin's views and values in no way represent us as American women." (One of my friends has suggested that the media-shy Palin adopt Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Don't Ask Me No Questions" as a new theme.)

Every politician deserves a good theme song. So what should McCain do? Surely there must be an anthem out there that's a good fit for the maverick Senator from Arizona. Maybe we can help. If anyone has some helpful song suggestions, fire away. I'll try to post the best ideas soon. 

Photo: John McCain. Credit: Ron Edmonds /Associated Press

Comments

[Arth]

The perfect tune for McCain/Palin should be 'I touch myself'.

[Arizona]

I have a few song suggestions

Girl don't go away mad (just go away)-motley crue
Fat bottomed girls-queen
Another brick in the wall (part 1)-pink floyd
Balls to the wall-accept
Run to the hills-iron maiden
Lepper messiah-metallica
Send me your money-suicidal tendencies
Suicidal Failure-suicidal tendencies
Teas'n, Pleas'n-dangerous toys
Billy's got a gun-def leppard
Bad company-bad company
War pigs-black sabbath
In and out of love-bon jovi
Riding dirty-chamillionaire
In my dreams-dokken
Almost human- kiss
F*** the middle east- S.O.D.
Douche crew-S.O.D.
My last words-megadeth
wake up dead-megadeth
watch the children pray- metal church
blind in texas-wasp

Now out of this list there has to be at least one that will allow McCain to use there song. Hopefully one I should say.

[Plain Jane]

LA knows well that good Iranian families live all over the world post Iranian revolution. People who love their ancient culture and have embraced lives in America and everywhere. World involvement in diplomacy is important or we put these families at risk as well as promoting terrorism for the few that would be called to the beacon of terrorism. There are loyalties to culture and family ties in Iran. How 'bout Peace Train by Cat Stevens turned respectable muslim .

[Dmitriy]

Maybe Obama will bring back 'bitter people clinging to guns and religion'?

[Rachel]

How about Na Na Na Nah Hey Hey Hey Good Bye.

[festinog]

According to survivors, as the Titanic sank the band were last heard to play "Nearer My God to Thee".

Seems appropriate given the current state of McCain's campaign.

[Ang D.]

I'd recommend "American Dream" or "Nighttime For Generals" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young ... but I doubt he'd agree ...

[Lougan]

Doesn't McCain already have a theme song?

John Rich's "Raisin' McCain"

It even drops the "'g's" off the ends of words. Isn't that what every republican asks for?

[Joe Banna]

How about john mccain use "i'm a loser baby"

[Robin]

For Palin I suggest "Witch Arriving too Late to Save a Drowning Ship", I'm quite sure Frank Zappa's heirs won't mind.

And how about "Yesterday" for McCain?

[graceblue2008]

I must say that as a democrat that was voting for McCain based on his experience, integrity and character I now am second guessing myself.

The dirty ads, the mean tone, the ugly remarks that John Mccain is turning to is making me think his CHARACTER is not what I thought it was.

I am sad to say that I am now considering NOT voting for John McCain. His honor was appealing and I found him trustworthy. I thought he was strong, but not I think he's turned terribly dirty.

I know I am only one vote, but I must not vote for McCain in light of his new tactics. It's too ugly for me.

[Rockslide]

"Rock 'n' Roll for John McCain" by Mad Rocket (an LA Indie band). Their CD hasn't been released yet, but there is a video of the song on YouTube.

[StanleyMN]

Bob Dylan: "Masters of War"

Forty-five years later, how little has changed....

[Cryos]

"I must say that as a democrat that was voting for McCain based on his experience, integrity and character I now am second guessing myself.

The dirty ads, the mean tone, the ugly remarks that John Mccain is turning to is making me think his CHARACTER is not what I thought it was.

I am sad to say that I am now considering NOT voting for John McCain. His honor was appealing and I found him trustworthy. I thought he was strong, but not I think he's turned terribly dirty.

I know I am only one vote, but I must not vote for McCain in light of his new tactics. It's too ugly for me.

Posted by: graceblue2008"

I love false statements like this. Ok mr fake Obama blogger. Same goes for the McCain bloggers posting this nonsense. Don't think anyone actually belives you.

[CJ]

I'm sick of McCain and Palin. I had enough of his Ayers this and Wright that. Nobody cares at this point. I'm turning off and voting Obama on nov.4th.

[JG]

Please read the article on the Rolling Stones webpage of upcoming articles (October 16, 2008), which gives in detail the story of the Real McCain. After reading about his life, I am no longer surprised at how he is conducting this campaign and the choices he's made recently. It makes me as frightened of him as I am of Palin.

[jg]

A must-read for everyone - the October 16th article posted on the Rolling Stones web page that details the personality of the real John McCain. Now I know why his campaign has become so disgusting.

[diplomat685]

"money, money, money, it's a rich man's world..." oh wait, Abba already said he couldn't use their songs. Hmmm "Glory Days" would be a no brainer, but oops Bruce says no to that too. I guess some things just shouldn't be put to music and it seems this campaign is one of them. By the way, no wonder Palin says she won't blink--she's too busy winking!

[Mike, South Bend]

You Talk Too Much, Run DMC

[s=dav]

My head hurts , my feet stink, and I don't love jesus

[Jon Petersen]

Is someone out there still voting for John McCain?????!!!!!!!????

Is there SOMEONE still voting for John McCain???

He is a pretty MEAN guy!

[mavisdarling]

"Don't Fear the Reaper"
"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"
"The Hokey Pokey"

[H. Ali Tosis]

Jethro Tull's "When Jesus came to play".

[Jeff]

Personally I second the Beetles' "I'm a Looser":

Im a loser and I lost someone whos near to me
Im a loser and Im not what I appear to be...

Although I laugh and I act like a clown
Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown
My tears are falling like rain from the sky
Is it for her or myself that I cry

Im a loser and I lost someone whos near to me
Im a loser and Im not what I appear to be

What have I done to deserve such a fate
I realise I have left it too late
And so its true pride comes before a fall
Im telling you so that you wont lose all

Im a loser and I lost someone whos near to me
Im a loser and Im not what I appear to be

But Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" might also be appropriate...and HE even LIKES McCain...I heard the Senator considers him one of his immigration advisers, apparently unaware that Puerto Ricans are US Citizens.

[John Locke]

Why not stick to important facts instead of living in "never never" land? McCain made a joke...duh! The real issue is how dangerous Obama is. He has not brought any legislation. He has not brought republicans and democrats together. He lies about being a former muslim. He lies about his terrorist ties. If you look at the man, his background, his associations, such as 20 years with the Rev. Wright, his racist comments "typical white person" or "that's just how white folk will do you" (check out UTUBE for these) - he is DANGEROUS for America. People who support him, either are ignorant of the facts, or just ignore them. Obama is theatrical, full of hot air, and his substance is bad. How about the Communist Cuban Flag hung behind the desk in Obama's Official Houston, TX office with paid staff? His comment about being in 57 states (UTube, again) - There are 57 Islamic States. Would you vote for Osama as well?