Heart Denies Republican Party Right to Song

By: Shannon Gossage

Ann and Nancy Wilson sent an email Thursday afternoon to the McCain/Palin campaign asking them not to use their hit song "Barracuda" as a them for Palin. The statement reportedly read, "The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored." Later that evening, "Barracuda" was played after Presidential nominee John McCain’s acceptance speech.

Nancy Wilson reportedly told EW.com that she thought it was "completely unfair to be so misrepresented." The Wilson sisters then wrote an email to EW.com that read, "Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image." The email continued, "The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the last 70’s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. 9The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there."

Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have reportedly sent a cease and desist notice to the Republican campaign. Heart is not the only band/musician that has asked that their music not be allowed on the campaign trail. Van Halen was in an uproar in August after McCain used their hit song "Right Now" while appearing in Ohio. The band said, "Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given." And John Mellencamp asked that his songs "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" not be used during the campaign.