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

[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