According to this piece [link] at CNN, Heart are not Republicans or, at least, fans of McCain. Really, I am just making an assumption, but they are pretty pissed that their 1977 hit, “Barracuda”, was used as the closing music of last night’s Republican National Convention.
The song was used as a shout-out to Sarah Palin, which must be the next chick McCain is going to bang. In case you didn’t know, he cheated on his wife when she was crippled from a car accident [link]. Evidently, when she played basketball in high school, the Republican Vice Presidential nominee earned the nickname “Sarah Barracuda” for her fierce competitiveness, and her inability to not drag her teeth on what some would call “the cock”.
Read more of SMS’ Ramblings “after the jump”
(Just kidding, I would totally do her.)
The nickname reappeared in 1996, when some of her opponents revived the nickname after she became mayor of her hometown, Wasilla, defeating a three-term incumbent. This time, it had little-to-nothing to do with BJs.
“Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart said Thursday night that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease and desist notice to the McCain-Palin campaign over their use of “Barracuda.” Good for them. It might not even be a political statement, but they did go on to say, “we have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored,” the group said in a statement that said they “condemn” the use of the song at the Republican convention.
Well, just goes to show you that the lawyers at the majors are there for something OTHER than ripping off artists and bitching about “file sharing”.
Heart - “Barracuda”
Seriously, this is such an iconic riff, can you blame them for wanting to use it? I am proud of the Wilson sisters for putting their foot down about this (my uncle used to want to nail one of them many years ago, but I can’t remember which one. They’re both older now, so I can’t be bothered with their names. Maybe I am thinking of Joan Jett?) and hope that the Republicans are forced to commission Toby Keith for a new song. I hate that fuckwad too.
After last night’s speech, I promptly donated to Obama’s campaign, a move that might shock some.
1) I am a tightwad.
2) I don’t contribute to anything political unless it involves arguments and name calling.
Either way, I thought I should report this because, well, Matty Michaels [link] told me too. Also, I needed a reason to mention that I would totally shag Sarah Palin. Dude, she’s kinda foxy.
Update: 12:44 PM ET
Amazing comments over at Digg so far:
Stephen Bailey (sbcea): I think the line “And if the real thing don’t do the trick you better make up somethin’ quick” says it all about McCain’s VP choice. I love it when politicians don’t read the lyrics before they choose a ‘theme’ song.
beerock: “Man, I loved Heart until I found out most of their stuff was written by Yes. Still a definite guilty pleasure.”
MadKennyP: “Heart has also asked McCain to abstain from humming:
“dun-da-da-dun da-da-dun da-da-dun da-da-dun da-da-da-DUN! Pweeeoowww!”
Update: 3:22 PM EST
…and now we’ve been buried. Turns out that someone else’s piece was getting way more “buzz” than ours so we’ll be forever stuff at 116 votes, I guess. I can’t catch a break with Digg right now, can I?
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4 comments for “Stuff I Think and Shouldn’t Say: Heart Condemn Use of “Barracuda””
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I must concur with my editor, I would totally do sarah palin every which way imaginable. another year or two and i’d even throw Bristol in the mix for a mommy-daughter thing. is that too far? my bad.
more importantly, republicans are out of touch morons. I only wish I had still been undecided last night so I could say McCains horrible speech pushed me towards Obama but alas, it really just convinced me further that military warriors don’t belong in politics. good god, 61 more days of this nonsense.
Ha ha. 61 days? That makes it sound so much longer. My fingers are crossed, my good man. Toes too.
LIBERAL BIAS! LIBERAL BIAS! THE LIBERATI ARE BRAINWASHING US WITH THEIR MEDIA RAYS!
Silly Republicans, when will you learn that only country music stars will allow you use of their music?
Isn’t this like the third or fourth rock act to ask for their music to not be used by the party? The Foo Fighters did it back in winter then Van friggin’ Halen of all bands just did it to McCain, and now Heart. You’d think the Republicans would take a hint. You can’t bash the entertainment industry as a group of out-of-touch, drug-using, hippie, socialist, liberal homos and then expect them to allow you to use their music.
Good call, Rob. If you offend the other team long enough, eventually, it will come back to bite you on the ass. Hopefully, this will be the year that happens.