Heart Barracuda RNC
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson and singer Ann Wilson have publicly complained about the use of the band's song "Barracuda" at the 2008 Republican National Convention. The song was used following the acceptance speech of presidential candidate John McCain, when he was joined on stage by his running mate, Sarah Palin. According to the Wilsons, neither the Republican Party nor the McCain campaign asked for permission to use the song, making the band members feel "misrepresented."
Fast Facts
- "Barracuda" written as rant against the music industry
- Song appeared on 1977 album Little Queen
- Palin's nickname in high school was "Sarah Barracuda"1
- Van Halen also took issue with McCain's entrance to their song "Right Now"
The Politics of Song Choice
Heart are not the first musicians to take issue with the Republicans' musical selections. Previously, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp and members of Boston have complained about hearing their songs at political rallies.2 (Browne actually sued McCain for using his song "Running on Empty" in a campaign ad.) Obama had raised eyebrows as well after his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention for using "Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn, the same song that played at the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2000. Kix Brooks, however, referred to Obama's use of the song as "flattering."3
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Heart Band | John McCain | Sarah Palin | 2008 Republican Convention | Jackson Browne Sues McCain
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