President Trump is in hot water again over the choice of songs played at his campaign rallies. The most recent to complain is Brendon Urie, but he’s not the first by a long shot. Instead, the Panic! At The Disco frontman joins a long list of celebrities telling the President to back off their music. Of course, this isn't the first time this has happened; Perhaps most famous of these was Bobbie McFerrin’s request that then Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush stop using Don’t Worry, Be Happy at campaign events. But with Trump, some artists have even gone so far as to send cease and desist letters to the campaign. And though we stand in solidarity with their position, in actuality artists have little recourse. Unless it’s being used in a campaign commercial, anyone who has purchased the rights from the proper licensing authority are legally entitled to use the songs.
Here are some of the musicians who have requested President Trump stop using their songs at his campaign rallies.
When Queen lead guitarist Brian May heard Trump was using We Are The Champions and Another One Bites the Dust, he made it clear he was not onboard with the idea. We’re pretty sure the late Freddie Mercury would similarly disapprove.
While the president may love her music, Adele was disturbed to hear Trump was using Rolling in the Deep and Skyfall at his rallies. “Don’t vote for him” she told concert-goers in 2016, suggesting instead they vote for Hillary Clinton.
The half-brother of the late Prince spoke for the estate when he expressed disappointment Purple Rain was being used during the 2018 midterm elections. Perhaps the late guitarist, singer, and songwriter might have felt differently if Trump had chosen to play Scandalous instead.
No fan of the president, the Rocket Man songsmith Elton John asked the president to stop playing the 1972 hit as well as another song Tiny Dancer. No word how the singer feel about William Shatner’s epic cult cover of Rocket Man.
Victor Willis asked Trump to stop using Y.M.C.A. and Macho Man at rallies after law enforcement removed protesters from Lafayette Square with tear gas earlier this month. Of course, we’d let this Village People Officer give us a summons any day of the week.
Brendon Urie, frontman for Panic! At The Disco was not pleased to learn Trump was playing High Hopes at his campaign rallies. “Dear Trump Campaign,” he tweeted. “F--- You.”
