Here are the biggest music related news items since we last met.
Your Top Story:
John McCain runs into music issues.
APPLETON, Wisconsin (Reuters) - Would Abba take a chance on him? Republican presidential front-runner John McCain is not so sure and said he opted against playing the 1977 hit "Take a Chance on Me" by the Swedish group at his campaign rallies because of licensing and other concerns.
"It's more difficult to play 'let's take a chance on me' than I thought," the four-term Arizona senator told reporters aboard his campaign plane.
"It gets expensive in a big hurry and if you're not careful you can alienate some Swedes," he joked. "If word gets out to Stockholm that we're using Abba music, then there'll be a worsening in U.S.-Swedish relations."
The hit disco song, which begins "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line," could sum up McCain's courtship of the powerful conservative wing of the Republican Party.
McCain also ran into issues using the theme song to "Rocky".
After playing the anthemic horns of the "Rocky" theme song at his rallies, the owner of the song's copyright telephoned the McCain campaign to politely complain it was being used without permission, McCain said.
"It wasn't a formal complaint or a letter. Someone just called on the phone and said 'Hey, that's our property,'" he said.
Follow-up story: Will.i.am follows up the popular Obama- themed YouTube video "Yes, We can" with a song called "We are the Ones".
The video is based on a line Obama delivered in a speech: "We are the ones we've been waiting for," and it features folks like Jessica Alba, George Lopez, Luis Guzman, Ryan Phillippe, John Leguizamo, Kate del Castillo, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Macy Gray.
Clinton backers respond:
Not to be outdone, the Clinton campain this week released its own Mexican cumbia, a Latino campaign theme song called "Hillary, Hillary Clinton," and featuring noted Tejano musician Johnny Canales. Latino supporters of Clinton in the Washington area also created a Spanish music video, called "Oye Hillary."
From the YouTubes:
Check out Roy Zimmerman and his song "Superdelegate". Like that? "Eine kleine Barackmusick" is even better.
Behold the Power of Obama? Checkout this Bollywood-themed video.
Let's not forget the GOP. There's Huckabee Girl.
On a more serious note:
In Ohio, Bill Clinton has been taking the stage to the Top Gun song "Danger Zone". In Texas, he is being accompanied by a Mariachi band.
Melissa Ethridge has changed her support from Clinton to Obama.
When he's not promoting his new album "Love grenade", Ted Nugent is writing a weekly article about the Presidential campaign for the Waco Tribune-Herald.
Finally:
This New Republic blogger speculates Obama is Jay-Z, Hillary is Cam'Ron
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Presidential Groove: Weekend Update
Headline story:
The biggest music-related Presidential campaign story thus far has been the Obama/will.i.am video.
So, no surprise there is a John McCain parody video.
Even two.
Hillary Clinton has her own video response.
Other big stories this week:
Barack Obama wins a grammy for Best Spoken word album.
Tom Scholz from the band Boston asks Mike Huckabee to quit playing "More Than A Feeling".
Campaign theme articles:
An interersting and amusing article about campaign songs, and how the lyrics of the songs don't match the intent.
Clinton has regaled her backers with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "American Girl", doubtless to evoke the image of a patriotic, down-home candidate.
But the lyrics tell an altogether different story of seeing a dream slip away: "God, it's so painful/ Something that's so close / And still so far out of reach."
But the lyrics tell an altogether different story of seeing a dream slip away: "God, it's so painful/ Something that's so close / And still so far out of reach."
Another article on theme songs used in this campaign.
(Clinton) offered nine songs to vote on, but many overzealous readers supplied their own suggestions, including Elton John's The Bitch is Back, Foreigner's Cold As Ice and The Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil.
Assorted articles from this week:
Pitchfork ran an article on John McCain's daughter and her music bloggery.
Songwirter/satirist Tom Lehrer endorses Obama:
I asked Lehrer if there was anything he'd like to add, in this chat, about the current president. After a bit of pause he said, "Just tell the people that I am voting for Obama."
Wonkette reports that Paula Abdul endorses a female for President.
Wonkette also featured this picture of Barry Manilow fans for Hillary:
Have a good week.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Weekend Update
Top Ten Recent Stories
- Merle Haggard was on the Bill Maher show and said that he was disappointed that after he wrote "Let's Put a Woman in the White House" that Hillary went to Nashville to get other songwriters to write songs about her. Merle also joked about Hillary going on Willie Nelson's bus.
- Stevie Wonder campaigned for Obama in California
- The remaining members of the Grateful Dead were reuniting to campaign for Obama.
- A video put together by will.i.am of the BlackEyed Peas, and featuring Herbie Hancock, Common, John Legend, and Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls was a huge hit. The video which combined Obama's speech with music and sung vocals got 1.9 million views.
- Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth supports Obama
- The Beatles support Obama. Well, if Elvis supported Duncan Hunter...
- Speaking of the Beatles
- Arlo Guthrie is supporting Ron Paul
- John Mellencamp tells John McCain to quit using his songs. You'd think that making campaign appearences with John Edwards would have given some clue where Mellencamp's allegiances lie.
and lastly, the biggest music-related story of the last two weeks..
- In case, you didn't see it on every major news outlet, Obama Girl didn't vote for Obama. In fact, she didn't even vote at all.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Presidential Groove: Mike Huckabee
Who?: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
Musician supporters: Ted Nugent
On the Record:
Mike Huckabee plays in the band Capitol Offense, which has opened for Grand Funk Railroad, Percy Sledge, REO Speedwagon, .38 Special, and Willie Nelson.
Wikipedia adds this: Capitol Offense is a cover band that plays a mix of classic rock, Motown, country and blues. The band intentionally shuns the trendier hit-makers, preferring older tunes that have stood the test of time. "We don't try to play trendy stuff," Huckabee has said of his band's musical tastes, "nothing without a long shelf life." Early on, all of the band members played only Gibson guitars, and did so "proudly", according to a note Huckabee sent to the company in 1999. However, as of July 2007, Huckabee actually sported a black and white Fender bass during his campaign stop record store performance
Mike Huckabee says his latest music purchase was Evanesence.
Huckabee says of the Rolling Stones: "..the Rolling Stones have had the lasting power because even after all these years - Keith Richards has probably been dead for several years and doesn’t know it - they continue to make the greatest music and put on the most amazing shows.” and from the same article we are told During his tenure as the state’s leader, he gave the Stones’ guitarist a full pardon from a reckless driving offense that had occurred years before.
Mike Huckabee inspired this awful theme song.
Will Mike answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Of all the candidates, Mike gets the highest praises for his musical background, so I was hoping for an answer from the Huckabee camp.
However, we got an "Out of Office Reply" addressed to Dear Friend, and started "Thank you so much for taking the time to write Governor Huckabee. Your email is very important and we are interested in, and value your opinions, suggestions and concerns.We will make every effort to respond to specific policy questions not addressed on our website in a timely manner." and ended "if you would like to make a contribution, click on the Contribution tab – every little bit helps. Thanks so much for writing."
However, we never did get a real answer.
So, that's it- all the major candidates done- Thanks for tuning in
Musician supporters: Ted Nugent
On the Record:
Mike Huckabee plays in the band Capitol Offense, which has opened for Grand Funk Railroad, Percy Sledge, REO Speedwagon, .38 Special, and Willie Nelson.
Wikipedia adds this: Capitol Offense is a cover band that plays a mix of classic rock, Motown, country and blues. The band intentionally shuns the trendier hit-makers, preferring older tunes that have stood the test of time. "We don't try to play trendy stuff," Huckabee has said of his band's musical tastes, "nothing without a long shelf life." Early on, all of the band members played only Gibson guitars, and did so "proudly", according to a note Huckabee sent to the company in 1999. However, as of July 2007, Huckabee actually sported a black and white Fender bass during his campaign stop record store performance
Mike Huckabee says his latest music purchase was Evanesence.
Huckabee says of the Rolling Stones: "..the Rolling Stones have had the lasting power because even after all these years - Keith Richards has probably been dead for several years and doesn’t know it - they continue to make the greatest music and put on the most amazing shows.” and from the same article we are told During his tenure as the state’s leader, he gave the Stones’ guitarist a full pardon from a reckless driving offense that had occurred years before.
Mike Huckabee inspired this awful theme song.
Will Mike answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Of all the candidates, Mike gets the highest praises for his musical background, so I was hoping for an answer from the Huckabee camp.
However, we got an "Out of Office Reply" addressed to Dear Friend, and started "Thank you so much for taking the time to write Governor Huckabee. Your email is very important and we are interested in, and value your opinions, suggestions and concerns.We will make every effort to respond to specific policy questions not addressed on our website in a timely manner." and ended "if you would like to make a contribution, click on the Contribution tab – every little bit helps. Thanks so much for writing."
However, we never did get a real answer.
So, that's it- all the major candidates done- Thanks for tuning in
Friday, January 18, 2008
Presidential Groove: Alan Keyes
Who?: Former Ambassador Alan Keyes (R-MD)
Musician supporters: n/a
Alan Keyes On the Record - Alan doesn't list any favorite musical artists on his MySpace page, but he is apparently a big Star Trek fan. Who knew that?
On Michael Moore's television show, "The Awful Truth", Moore got Keyes to mosh at a Rage Against the Machine concert.
Will Alan answer my question "What music do you listen to?": I was hoping to get an answer from Dr. Keyes, but did not get a response.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Presidential Groove: John McCain
Who?: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Musician supporters: n/a
John McCain On the Record -
McCain famously sang "Bomb Iran" to the tune of the the Beach boys' "Barbara Ann".
He also famously points out he wasn't at Woodstock.
McCain oddly is on the record as a big fan of the group ABBA. This article asks McCain what's on his iPod and he says "“Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”
More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”"
This blogger suggests a couple of Cuban campaign songs. I think he's being saracastic, but the music is good.
This blogger uncovers the secret of McCain's hold music - Melissa Manchester.
McCain's daughter suggests that he listens to Lauryn Hill.
Will John answer my question "What music do you listen to?": I was sorta hoping for an answer from the Straight Talk Express, but no dice. Perhaps, he is too busy surging up the polls, perhaps too embarrassed by his love for Swedish pop. In any case, the McCain website is very explicit in stating that you can send in questions, but John is very busy and probably won't answer. Which he didn't. Which is why he does not get our endorsement.
Musician supporters: n/a
John McCain On the Record -
McCain famously sang "Bomb Iran" to the tune of the the Beach boys' "Barbara Ann".
He also famously points out he wasn't at Woodstock.
McCain oddly is on the record as a big fan of the group ABBA. This article asks McCain what's on his iPod and he says "“Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”
More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”"
This blogger suggests a couple of Cuban campaign songs. I think he's being saracastic, but the music is good.
This blogger uncovers the secret of McCain's hold music - Melissa Manchester.
McCain's daughter suggests that he listens to Lauryn Hill.
Will John answer my question "What music do you listen to?": I was sorta hoping for an answer from the Straight Talk Express, but no dice. Perhaps, he is too busy surging up the polls, perhaps too embarrassed by his love for Swedish pop. In any case, the McCain website is very explicit in stating that you can send in questions, but John is very busy and probably won't answer. Which he didn't. Which is why he does not get our endorsement.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Presidential Groove: Mitt Romney
Who?: Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)
Musician supporters: Romney has picked up endorsements from the Osmonds, Pat Boone, and Randy Owen from the band Alabama..
On the Record:
On Facebook, Romney lists his favorite musicians as: Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Kingston Trio, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Clint Black, and Garth Brooks.
Romney has inspired this song, which parodies Adam Sandler's "Hannaukah song" as it relates to Mormons.
Probably the best thing to come out of Mitt Romney's election run (it certainly wasn't his Iowa finish) is this:
Will Mitt answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Mitt hasn't fared very good in the first few contests. I suspect it's because he won't answer our e-mail. The Romney website asks a lot of questions even before you can submit a question. Well, I gave them all they wanted to know, and still no answer.
We do not give Mitt Romney our seal of approval.
Musician supporters: Romney has picked up endorsements from the Osmonds, Pat Boone, and Randy Owen from the band Alabama..
On the Record:
On Facebook, Romney lists his favorite musicians as: Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Kingston Trio, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Clint Black, and Garth Brooks.
Romney has inspired this song, which parodies Adam Sandler's "Hannaukah song" as it relates to Mormons.
Probably the best thing to come out of Mitt Romney's election run (it certainly wasn't his Iowa finish) is this:
Will Mitt answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Mitt hasn't fared very good in the first few contests. I suspect it's because he won't answer our e-mail. The Romney website asks a lot of questions even before you can submit a question. Well, I gave them all they wanted to know, and still no answer.
We do not give Mitt Romney our seal of approval.
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