October 15, 2008
Palin Gives Bon Jovi "A Bad Name"
The McCain/Palin campaign is having zero luck with their song choices. Following Heart, Survivor, the Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne speaking out against the two-some using their songs, Bon Jovi has now spoken up after their tune "Home" was used at a rally or two. They released the following statement today: "We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'" Still, probably didn't sting as badly as when Van Halen protested the use of one of their songs being used by the campaign (Palin's son's middle name is Van, as an homage to the band).




[ report this ]
whatever - if Obama uses any of their songs, they say nothing. Either you're going to stick to your copyright infringement guns or shut up.
I wonder how many downloads from iTunes Heart got after Barracuda was played at the RNC?
[ report this ]
That's the whole point you retard. It's their copyright, they can choose who they want to let use their songs or not, for free or not. McCain and Palin are such disgusting pieces of garbage, and they represent such horrible racist reactionary assholes, it's really no surprise that no one wants their music associated with them. Except for maybe a turd like Ted Nugent, but his music sucks ass.
[ report this ]
Bon Jovi's statement doesn't say anything about filing a copyright infringement claim against anyone. (Don't know whether Jackson Browne ended up actually filing his threatened copyright claim.)
Bon Jovi and the other bands simply don't want their songs and their goodwill associated with the McCain/Palin campaign and right-wing, hate-filled, political rallies.
[ report this ]
obama had a fundraiser at bon jovi's house. of course they wont say anything.
[ report this ]
Actually, you're wrong. Anyone can use any song, as long as they pay proper royalty/license fees for use of the musical work and/or sound recording, depending on whether they're using the actual original or doing a cover. The groups themselves have almost no say in the matter. If someone seems to be suggesting that the group is endorsing them or their message, that's a different story. So if a group feels that McCain is implying endorsement by the group, they can raise the issue. If it's someone they agree with and actually do endorse, then they obviously would have no problem with that. So "sticking to your copyright infringement guns" has nothing to do with this.
[ report this ]
mccain palin should use Heidi Montag's songs. She likes them
[ report this ]
Bon Jovi has been giving Bon Jovi a bad name for as long as I can remember.
[ report this ]
miz coaster is an idiot.
[ report this ]
Sleepy, why do you pollute this comment section with actual knowledge and intelligence?!?
[ report this ]
Fuck all those leftist assholes and their dumb ass songs.
[ report this ]
@5 That's completely wrong. The copyright holder can refuse to grant a performance or any other license if they so choose. Some band own their copyrights, some don't but either way you need to get proper permission to legally perform someones work or play their recording in public. If what you say were remotely correct than every bad KFC commercial would be backed with a song from 'Rubber Soul'.
[ report this ]
I'm not sure about campaigns, but being that they're live events (and often not televised), I'm pretty sure they don't have to pay royalties or clear a copyright.
It's like live sporting events - if you watch a baseball game or basketball etc, you can hear them play the song, but they're not allowed to rebroadcast that. In the case of something like the UFC, you'll hear fighters come out to real songs in the live broadcast, but if the fight is reaired or watched on DVD, the song will be replaced with canned music so they don't have to pay for it. That's my understanding of it, though I could be wrong.
So I think the point of all of these musicians complaining isn't that they can/want to sue, just that they want to make clear that they don't support McCain/Palin.
And that said, I agree with Toby Von: Bon Jovi has been giving Bon Jovi a bad name for however long they've been a band.
[ report this ]
here here toby...
[ report this ]
Bert Kaempert, The Longines Symphonette, and Ray Coniff could sure rev up the base!
[ report this ]
... van palin?
[ report this ]
Jon Bon Six Pack
[ report this ]
Oh my Lord. She really named her child "Van Palin"?
[ report this ]
At least that poor kid can be thankful that his mom wasn't a fan of the Butthole Surfers.
[ report this ]
"That's completely wrong. The copyright holder can refuse to grant a performance or any other license if they so choose."
It depends on the details of the performers arrangements, if any, with their record label or music licensing company. It's possible (and actually likely) that BoJo has signed away the right determine who uses their songs on a case by case basis. We'd have to know details of the licensing arrangement they have with their label.
That said, it's entirely within their rights (and laudable) for them to make noise about how they don't agree with Palin using their song at polical events.
[ report this ]
I hate it when I hear shitty Bon Jovi at sporting events or anywhere else for that matter... Fucking Jersey posers
[ report this ]
These loser rock stars will never want to be associated with Republicans because it goes against their free wheeling, dope smoking, hippie image.