Jon Bon Jovi to John McCain: Don't play my music!

Hey, Republicans! Stop using our music!

Jon Bon Jovi just released a statement about  Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin using his band’s song -- "Who Says You Can't Go Home" -- during her rallies this week.

Bon Jovi, it should be noted, hosted a big well-publicized fund-raising dinner for Barack Obama at his house. So it's not like John McCain’s camp didn’t know better.

Bon Jovi's statement to TMZ reads: “We are surprised to hear that our song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" was used by the McCain campaign at rallies yesterday and today. We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we have not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.' "

Bon Jovi’s not alone. Other musicians who have complained about McCain's campaign using their songs include Heart, the Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne.

Do you think politicians should get permission before using musicians' music to provide a soundtrack for their campaign rallies?

Shouldn't there be a law against this?

It's way worse than bootlegging or downloading for free, seems to me.

Photo: Jon Bon Jovi at the Philadelphia Soul Championship Parade in July 2008
WireImage

Comments

[Taylor]

If they have paid the royalties to use the song.. then they should be able to use the song. T^hey are not stealing the song.

[t]

Yes, don't play Bon Jovi, that music reeks!

[J Robinson]

Yeah, baby - smack-em, jack-em!

[Vivi]

You fail to point out that in somes cases, the McCain campaign got permission months ago to use some of these songs. At the very least, the artists should be honest. Did they get paid, and now have the nerve to complain? They can't have it both ways.

[maximumverbosity]

It's obvious that the McCain campaign feels that copyright laws (at least) don't apply to them. Their repeated unauthorized use of music, as well as their recent (failed) attempt to get an exception to DMCA takedown notices from YouTube, is enough evidence to establish that fact. When viewed in the larger picture, including McCain's association with the Keating Five and Palin's flagrant abuse of power in Alaska, and it should be clear that McCain-Palin would be no better than Bush-Cheney and probably far worse.

[bitguru]

I'm not an expert on this kind of thing, but artists _do_ have control over public performance of their works, including forbidding it altogether.

Bon Jovi may be out of luck, though, because presumably he signed a contract with ASCAP and/or BMI to license his music (including "Who Says You Can't Go Home") to license his music to anyone who pays the standard fees. If that's the case he has only himself to blame if he has remorse now.

[songwriter]

Its all a joke because Bon Jovi and any other artist will be paid royalities on the use of their song. And let's be honest, the money is what really matters.
Bon Jovi is Living on a Prayer that he is being dissed here. He's a Cowboy on a Steel Horse, so be cool and cash the check!
Call William Moriss and ASCAP or BMI and fill out the form and grab the cash!

[RichUSA]

As long as one pays the associated royalty fees for public use anyone can use any song they wish at a wedding, a huge event or however one chooses. It's that 'freedom' thing. That being said B.J. has the right to complain
because it 'bothers' him in a political sense but he can't prevent
it. It's absolutely their ( like anyone's ) right to use it.
it.

[RichUSA]

As long as one pays the associated royalty fees for public use anyone can use any song they wish at a wedding, a huge event or however one chooses. It's that 'freedom' thing. That being said B.J. has the right to complain
because it 'bothers' him in a political sense but he can't prevent
it. It's absolutely their ( like anyone's ) right to use it.
it.

[James M]

Maybe Republicans should stop buying music from these musicians. Maybe they can live on half of the record sales and royalties. I don't think that Anne Wilson could get by on only half of the Twinkies that she appears to consume. If I hurt anybodys feeling...Good you friggin deserve it.

[Arye Michael Bender]

Not to worry, John. After tonight you'll need a different theme song. May I suggest 'Remember My Forgotten Man'? It might even be in the public domain...

- Arye Michael Bender

[noah]

John can you loan me a few hundred grand for my retirement........

[Lisa S]

Musicians forget - if it weren't for Republicans many of them wouldn't HAVE the freedom to write, sing, play whereever they choose. The true conservative protects your right to make the music, profit from it and invest in a capitalistic society so you can raise your kids in more wealth and luxury than most of us will ever see, or perhaps, do other great things with your blessings. Show a little gratitude. I'm sure you work hard for charities - that's called nobless oblige - keep it up. That huge home you have, Bon Jovi, that you used as a fundraiser, is because some Republicans somewhere voted in favor of you keeping more of your money rather than re-distributing it around in a socialist sanctioned economy. And, $30,000 is what I make in one year - the ticket price for each of your donors. Grow up. I'm sure they paid royalties to use the music - so stop your belly aching, you've already made your money. And while I don't agree with everything that Sarah Palin represents, you ought to be complimented that a hard working mother of five, as accomplished as she is professionally and personally, is even associated with one of your songs. Get a life.

[Janne]

fine thing and try to improve

[Sammy]

wow even if you get the permits to us a song legally and the singers got paid they still complain. maybe the singers shouldn't have gave the permission for people to use their songs. Its sad because the singers just want to be on the side they think is going to win.They should be proud anyone uses their songs.

[dan]

Hey Bon Jovi...get over it and don't be such a "Richard".

[JWord]

Oh, boo-hoo Bon Jovi. No body listens to your music anyway, so appreciate a little air play.

[anon]

Maybe Bon Jovi can "share the wealth" with the rest of us.

[obama_is_communist]

if the song is not free, then it should be given a monetary value.

look .... when tv station or newspaper/magazine give a FREE space for candidate to advertise, ..even tho campaign doesn't pay money... they r still counted as campaign donation -- and hence all the legal effect such as limit, disclosure,etc.

it's not fair for one party to get legal rights to use songs free, while the other can't get it at all. we know that artists have always been and will always be ... liberal!!

again, if it's about copyright.. there should be a monetary value to it and it's should be subjected the same as campaign donation.

[Anthony]

It seems like McCain-Palin camp got a contract with the record companies for thousands of songs, but did not get permission from the artist. The McCain-Palin camp could have gotten permission from the artists first, and avoid this continual embarrassment.

[Sheridan Guiney]

Hey, they wrote the music and should be able to choose which yank wank cause it is used to represent.

[Natasa]

no mether what is happening I will alaways love just two of men,and one will bi Jon Bon Jovi so.... Jon Bon Jovi I love youuuuuu!!!!!!:D

[Cindy]

Oh well, let Palin play it. Just shows more ignorance on her part. She can see Russia from her house, but doesn't realize Jon is a Democrat and was supporting Obama. She actually played the music of someone who supports a guy that she believes... pals around with terrorists..... hahaha. Thank goodness she lost.