Rockin' Republicans? Not This Year

I have to admit I thought that Van Halen—or at least Sammy Halen—must have endorsed John McCain when he introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate for the first time.

How else to explain the campaign's use of the band's anthemic song "Right Now" at that rally? Turns out that was a boo-boo. Access Hollywood reports that the McCain campaign is having a lot of problems with its choice of music. Van Halen, which strongly objected to its music being co-opted by the McCain campaign, is just the latest act to complain of its product being used without permission: • Heart issued a cease-and-desist letter to the campaign for using its song "Barracuda" for Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention. • Jackson Browne objected to the RNC using his song "Running On Empty"and failed a lawsuit. • Abba ("Take a Chance On Me") • and John Mellencamp ("Pink Houses") also complained about unauthorized use of their songs, according to Browne's suit. Why do artists object? For one thing, if they don't support a particular candidate, the use of their music implies a type of endorsement. I, for one, never dreamed a campaign would use someone's music in a public gathering that is, furthermore, broadcast nationally, without permission or a licensing fee. Seems some government officials need to bone up on copyright laws. And, endorsement aside, musicians get paid for every public performance of their music. Radio stations pay every time they spin a disc. And if you watch "Big Brother," you know the housemates are always being told to "Stop singing!" because CBS doesn't want to pay licensing fees for music. Won't anyone out there let McCain/Palin use their songs before its too late? Any suggestions for more appropriate songs?