Tom Petty Demands Michele Bachmann Stop Playing His Song

Gawker.com ^ | 6/28/11 | Jim Newall

[NohSpinZone]

The management for rock and roll star Tom Petty didn't waste any time after Bachmann's campaign launch yesterday to send a cease-and-desist letter, demanding that she never use his song "American Girl" at campaign events again. These requests are not uncommon for Republican candidates, and it's one of the things that genuinely sucks for them. They can never use the easygoing, overplayed songs that they enjoy on FM radio, and they learn that their favorite artists despise them. Democrats' problem, on the other hand, is that they have to feign gratitude to all the musicians who write bad songs for them, kind of like accepting the annual box of dirt-flavored hard taffy that grandmother gives you on birthdays.

[truthfreedom]

I’m not defending Petty, but you don’t get to $38 Million / #16 without being popular.

[Paleo Conservative]

Tom Petty, “stop taking my song away.”

[mel]

My thoughts exactly, Bachmann should know better than this.

[ConservativeStatement]

A little Cat Scratch Fever.

[ohioman]

What’s even more classless than Petty in this instance is the low -class way he rips his father in the petty documentary. His father was actually a decent guy andeven with him dead, petty still stuck a knife in his back.

[PhiloBedo]

That is my thought as well. The music is out there for the public to purchase and use regardless of the reason. If the campaign is paying royalties then Mr. Petty is just looking for a political cheap shot.

Two words Mr. Petty.....Dixie Chicks. Haven’t heard from them lately, eh?

[SoldierDad]

Michele Bachmann should contact The Right Brothers and ask them to allow her to use one of their existing songs, or write one specifically for her campaign. They would jump at the offer, I’m sure.

[justkillingtime]

Wow...as long as I’ve been been here reading threads..EVERYTIME I see you post, I think..”get a life loser”
you didnt fail tonight...keep searchin

[tlb]

>>> How the hell do you know that she didn’t pay the label for right to use that song?

Easily. Had she done it the right way he’d not be able to make her stop by the cease-and-desist. As he is doing.

>>> Just think, Heart could’ve re-ignited their careers by allowing Governor Palin to use “Barracuda” - but no. The highlight of their careers now is a mop company using “What about love” on TV commercials. The sisters did Sarah a favor cutting that mistake short. Good song though.

Becoming associated with a losing political campaign is your idea of reigniting a career?

As for commercials, that’s free money to the artists, or at least the copyright holders who may not be the same people. Even Beatles music has been used this way.

btw, using “Barracuda” to tout Sarah was clueless to start with. The song was written condemning the music label executives who tried to build buzz for their new act by spreading the rumor the two Wilson sisters were incestuous. Associating Sarah with either the creepy record executives, or incest, wouldn’t have done Sarah much good either way. Good song though.

[SaraJohnson]

I would just use their songs until they complained, then switch to another one. You could easily get through the election season like that.

[humblegunner]

I thought you were leaving.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2558856/posts?page=51#51

Did you get lost on your way out?

[NohSpinZone]

Fair enough. If the campaign didn’t go through the proper procedures then they should abide by his demands. He has every right to do so, I agree.

But you’re missing the point on Sarah being clueless about her reasons for using “Barracuda”. These songs aren’t so deep that the lyrics deserved to be parsed and dissected like they’re the Scriptures, OK? Sarah just liked the title, as did Michele with “American Girl”. The state of Georgia didn’t like Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind” because it was about a woman named Georgia, which it was; they liked the title.

[discostu]

Don’t put it past them. Campaign people tend to only listen to the hook.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks NohSpinZone.

"American Girl" ... These requests are not uncommon for Republican candidates, and it's one of the things that genuinely sucks for them. They can never use the easygoing, overplayed songs that they enjoy on FM radio, and they learn that their favorite artists despise them. Democrats' problem, on the other hand, is that they have to feign gratitude to all the musicians who write bad songs for them, kind of like accepting the annual box of dirt-flavored hard taffy that grandmother gives you on birthdays.

[SunkenCiv]

just an idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D22_gslQ4cS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DCGtf9QfITQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DUlucGdeT37E

[Focault's Pendulum]

How the hell do you know that she didn’t pay the label for right to use that song? If the article said specifically that she used the song without paying for it, then I understand your point. But my presumption is that the campaign followed the rules and obtained fair use license for it.

Exactly on point!

Licensing and royalty audits are usually done through major companies such as ASCAP or BMI. Any irregularity and cease and desist order would have to come from them.