Neil Young is not a fan of The Donald!
When Republican Donald Trump announced his intention to run for president in 2016 Tuesday in New York City, he used rocker Young's 1989 song "Rockin' in the Free World" as his theme music. However, Young made it clear that he is not happy about it.
"Donald Trump was not authorized to use 'Rockin' in the Free World' in his presidential candidacy announcement," said an official statement from Young's management team, according to the New York Times. "Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States of America."
When Rolling Stone asked Trump's spokesperson why he chose "Rockin' in the Free World," the rep simply said that Trump is a fan of the 69-year-old musician's tunes. "Through a license agreement with [performance-rights organization] ASCAP, Mr. Trump's campaign paid for and obtained the legal right to use Neil Young's recording of 'Rockin' in the Free World' at today's event," said the spokesperson. "Mr. Trump is a huge fan of Neil Young and his music, and will continue to be regardless of Neil's political views."
However, Rolling Stone continued, ASCAP's "Using Music In Political Campaigns" document states that a "campaign will need to contact the song's publisher and, possibly, the artist's record label to negotiate the appropriate licenses with them." It is not clear if Trump's people actually contacted the publisher or label.
Trump is not the first political candidate to be chastised for using a particular artist's song as their theme music. The N.Y. Times said that Axwell and Ingrosso disapproved of Marco Rubio announcing his candidacy to their tune "Something New" in April, and Mitt Romney offended three different groups by using their songs during his 2012 presidential campaign—K'naan's "Wavin' Flag," the Silversun Pickups' "Panic Switch" and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger."
Sarah Palin's use of Heart's "Barracuda" in 2008 led the female-fronted band to issue a statement that, according to Rolling Stone, said: "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 song 'Barracuda' was written in the late '70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."
And the Dropkick Murphys took to Twitter in January to ask Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to stop using their song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." "Please stop using our music in any way... we literally hate you!!! Love, Dropkick Murphys," tweeted the band.
Young will launch a North American tour in July, and his new concept album "The Monsanto Years," from Neil Young + Promise Of The Real, comes out June 29 from Reprise Records.
