Boston rocker to Mike Huckabee: No more covers
You know how music is the great unifier, crossing cultures, races and religions? Well, some divides apparently are too wide.
Pop music lovers of a certain (advancing) age will recognize a song on the playlist of Mike Huckabee's band, Capitol Offense, as Boston's "More Than a Feeling," a hit from the 
band's eponymous 1976 debut album. And a former Boston band member, Barry Goudreau, has done appearances with Huckabee, leaving the impression that the band is backing the bass-playing Baptist preacher. But band leader Tom Scholz, whose guitar forms Boston's signature sound and who wrote "More Than a Feeling," says nope, and has asked Huckabee to drop the song from the playlist.
"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," Scholz, a Barack Obama supporter, wrote to the Huckabee campaign.
And apparently John Mellencamp, whose populist songs were unavoidable at John Edwards rallies in 2004 and in this cycle, is miffed that John McCain has been using his music. Both of which bring to mind another notable smackdown from artist to politician. Never mess with "The Boss."
Oh, and one song you won't be hearing any of the candidates play: Billy Bragg's "Ideology."
-- Scott Martelle
The closest you're going to find to Billy Bragg's tune would be Ron Paul. Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.
www.ronpaul2008.com
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2008 at 10:37 AM
It would be interesting if Dylan let Obama use "The Times they are a-changing."
Posted by: auramac | February 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I just threw My Boston CD into the garbage can.
Petty of this BOSTON group member to make a fuss about such a good man performing an old washed up bands song.
Huckabee has actually made your song popular again. But now you will make us dislike Boston for good. Throw Boston out the window!!!!
Posted by: Dan Campbell | February 15, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Yep.....out in the garbage heap goes all of my "Boston" cd's! If they can't see the good in having a candidate (and a pretty neat guy like Huckabee) play a song of theirs in respect that the candidate thinks it's a cool song....then this gal isn't going to keep or buy any more CD's by that band....PERIOD!!!
Posted by: TrueColors | February 15, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Good for Boston! I don't blame them for not wanting to be associated with that bible-thumping hick, er Huckabee
Posted by: Jimmy | February 15, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Hey Goudreau...it's a freakin' song you dope!! Be glad ANYONE is still listening to your over-produced '70's vintage tripe and grow the hell up.
Yet another pathetic attempt by a washed-up rocker to remain relevant.
Posted by: Tim_CA | February 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM
wow, as if boston's music couldn't possibly suck more, the poor guys have to put up with a freak like huckabee playing their most famous tune. if i was scholz, the first thing i would do is ride this little wave of press and write a song about how much better america would be if the north would've just let the south succeed. i think that right now is really the time to divide america, not bring it together. sure, working together and being non-partisan sounds so romantic and ideal except that the conservatives, multinationals and snake handlers won't ever negotiate or compromise, they will just continue to tell us what to do, say, think and feel. it might be time to move to scandanavia where for the most part, people are reasonable, educated and like to live life freely. the north will rise again.
Posted by: chorpophone | February 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Boston will still be on the airwaves long after the American people are saying, ".. Huckabee WHO?" Props to these artists for standing up for their ideals and their usage rights.
Posted by: BLR | February 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
You know, I am sick and tired of hearing about "artists" views on any kind of politics. You see in the article abovet they said that Boston had never endorsed a candidate...and it went on further, which is where this stupid idiot made the mistake. If he would have just left it at that, I would have had no problem at all. That's fine that they dont want Huckabee or any candidate to use their songs for anything. They are Boston's songs. However, to go further and then say he or they are supporters of Barack. Oh, sorry. Not only are you stupid, but you are fighting for the wrong candidate my friend. Barack hasn't a chance at winning the presidency agains McCain, and it he will turn out being another Georgia McGovern! You need to keep playing your music, with your band that's obviously over and done with...I don't know for say 20 years already. Get a life. And keep your political views out of the media..Just stupid!
Posted by: Steven | February 15, 2008 at 12:42 PM
How about we just add this to the campaign reform bill - McCain can introduce it!
As much as I like Boston's music (this was my time period) this is just ridiculous. My guess is that when they were just a "Rock and Roll Band" they played music they didn't write.
-- Rock and Roll Band (Scholz - better make sure he gets credit for these lyrics)
"we were just another band out of boston
On the road to try to make ends meet
Playin all the bars, sleepin in our cars"
Posted by: RLS | February 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Why do rock stars think that we care who they support politically? Just play your music and be thankful that someone remembers your art and your work. If it was Obama's rock band playing the cover song, you would not hear a peep!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Huckabee doesn't believe in evolution. Need say anything more?
Posted by: S Schro | February 15, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I never thought I would ever have anything good to say about Boston. And, yet, here we are. Well done, sir. Well done. The thought of Huckabee being president is as frightening a prospect as having to sit through a Boston guitar solo. . .
Posted by: jerseycorn | February 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Yeah, rock and roll is so about bringing theocracy to America. Huckabee? Which Huckabee, the Thin Huckabee that is channeling Kevin Spacie or the Fat Huckabee who resembled Tony Soprano? The guy is a complete fake. Wake up.
Posted by: IwasActuallyAliveInThe70s | February 15, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I dislike Mike, but he has the right to use the song if he wishes.
Posted by: Arturo Garcia | February 15, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Musicians have every right to stop those with whom they disagree from capitalizing on their signature sounds, esp. those as iconic as Boston (whatever you may think of their music). If tomorrow, Barack Obama started playing Toby Keith songs at all his rallies (shuddering), I'm guessing Mr. Keith might object. And he has every right to, since nothing short of a Republican fascist would do for him.
Posted by: Sophie | February 15, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Musicians have every right to stop those with whom they disagree from capitalizing on their signature sounds, esp. those as iconic as Boston (whatever you may think of their music). If tomorrow, Barack Obama started playing Toby Keith songs at all his rallies (shuddering), I'm guessing Mr. Keith might object. And he has every right to, since nothing short of a Republican fascist would do for him.
Posted by: Sophie | February 15, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I LOVE BOSTON, BOSTON freakin rocks hard! and I could care less about huckabee OR Obama.
I saw them on tour 2006 and it was awesome I'm only 17 but I love power rock. no hip hop here!
you want to hear a good, new song
try "I had a good time"
Posted by: brad | February 15, 2008 at 07:14 PM
"Musicians have every right to stop those with whom they disagree ...etc." No they do not. No right whatsoever, not now, not ever, please get a clue about the laws and how things actually work. You are wasting all our time. It's not like anyone tried to use this song in a movie or an advertisement or any other commercial enterprise. Playing a song in public merely adds to an artist's royalty stream.
"Props to these artists for standing up for their ideals and their usage rights." Hahahaha! "Usage rights!" Wrong again! This is a published piece, and the only RIGHTS the author has is to receive royalty payments from ASCAP/BMI/SESAC based on estimated public play. If this latest flap works out for Tom Scholz, he is probably looking at bigger royalty checks. In any case, the publicity is just what Scholz needs to help people remember who Boston was.
People, get a clue! NOBODY can demand anyone not play their songs publicly! Period!
Posted by: Big Mike | February 15, 2008 at 07:22 PM
@Steven - You have a right to air your views here but artists -- who ae citizens just like you -- don't?
Posted by: Margaret | February 16, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Tom Sholz... now you know how I felt when I opened my copy of Boston Walk On and found that the proceeds of the sale would go to several causes that I DID NOT agree with! I felt ripped off!!! That should have been printed on the outside of the cover.. Not the inside.. You are the pot calling the kettle black.. freeking hypocrite!!!
Posted by: Brook Wardle | February 16, 2008 at 08:16 AM
If Scholz didn't want his music in the marketplace for people to play, he shouldn't have published it in the first place.
If a political candidate drives a Lincoln Towncar to a rally, does that imply an endorsement by the engineer(s) who designed it, or by the CEO of Ford?
Posted by: Johnny Savant | February 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM
When Obama is elected and puts into policy of leveling the playing field (socialist) I hope he starts with all the ARTIST, OVER PAID MOVIE STARS, OVERPAID SPORTS PLAYERS ETC. that endorsed him. Then they will get it!
Posted by: Sunnie | October 19, 2008 at 06:19 PM