Politics | 09/08/2008 10:50 am

Rock Band Heart Asks Palin to Stop Using 'Barracuda' Song

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Sisters Ann (left) and Nancy Wilson of

Heart in the early '70s/Wikipedia

Singers Ann and Nancy Wilson of the rock band Heart have called in lawyers after John McCain’s vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin used their 1977 hit "Barracuda" at a Republican Party rally.

Heart is just the latest band to ask McCain and/or the GOP to stop using their music at political events.

Palin, who used the track for her appearance at the Republican National Convention in St Paul, MN, on September 3, was nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda" while playing basketball in high school.

"Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have informed the McCain/Palin Campaign that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to not use one of Heart’s classic songs, ‘Barracuda,’ as the congratulatory theme for Sarah Palin," the Wilsons say in a statement on their website. "The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.

"We have asked the Republican campaign not to use our music."

Nancy Wilson told Entertainment Weekly: "I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented.

"I feel completely f—-ed over."

Both Wilsons then e-mailed a statement to Entertainment Weekly, again asking that "Barracuda" not be used to promote Palin’s image.

"Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women," the sisters wrote. "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."

BBC reports that the GOP says it obtained the necessary license to play the song.

"The McCain campaign respects intellectual property rights," spokesman Brian Rogers told Reuters. "Accordingly, prior to using ‘Barracuda’ at any events, we paid for and obtained all necessary licenses."

One of "Barracuda’s" cowriters, former Heart guitarist Roger Fisher, told Reuters he was "thrilled" with the "ingenious placement of a kick-ass song," BBC reports. But he later said he supported the Democratic ticket and would be donating some of the royalties to Sen. Barack Obama’s, D-IL, campaign.

Read more about: Barack Obama, Election, Heart, John McCain, Music, News, Politics, Sarah Palin

51 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I don’t care if I am prodded to vote by McCain, Obama, or the next star of American Idol. I don’t care if I am not as informed as the next person. I don’t care if I have to sign my ballot with an X because I don’t know how to write. The idea behind America is that we ALL get to cast our vote. I think it is a shame that someone would tell me to stay home because I didn’t read all the papers, watching all the news programs, etc. that they did to draw their conclusions. If I vote for Obama because I think Michelle wore a cute dress - that is what makes America great. Otherwise we would live in a country where only educated men and land owners could vote. Come to think of it, we did at one time. Thank god things have changed.

By Maggi D on 09/09/2008 1:39 am

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I dont even know how to respond to that nonsense, other than to say WOW!!!! People like you should feel real proud of yourselves when you aid in ruining this great country that my brother is leaving to go fight for in the sand in less than two weeks….what makes this country great is that you have the world at your finger tips, including a newspaper, a television for watching election coverage, so all myself and my brother who is going to risk his life for you ask is to take a few hours over the next few months away from the VMA’s and Trading spaces to learn about your choice for the election…That is what makes this country great. not the fact that you can make oblivious, might as well be a drunken shot in the dark, no my dear that is exactly the kind of attitude that leads to the fall of great establishments….

By John Usher on 09/09/2008 1:52 am

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My grandson just got back from Iraq and I am spending hours pouring over information to make an informed choice. That is my right. But I have helped take people to the polls that were not as educated as they should have been and I cringed at their choices and the reasons behind those choices. But I would never been so arrogant as to tell them that they should not vote. The little old lady who voted the way that her pastor told her to because that is what god wanted - I could go on. Your brother goes to fight for the light in her face when she cast her vote because she was an American. I get the feeling you would not have given her a ride unless you were sure she had all the information YOU thought she should have.

By Maggi D on 09/09/2008 2:30 am

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Maggi, I agree with the idea of what you’re saying and that it was the ideal that our forefathers were striving for, but I think that ideal, like so many that they intended for this country, has been pushed horribly awry by the misuse of the sources of our information by the spin doctors and power brokers of this. I’ve recently been having thoughts very much along the same lines as John. I know it’s impossible and would result in even lower voter turnout that we’ve had. I’m sure it would also be deemed discriminatory by the ACLU (and rightly so) because of the inequalities of our economy and system of education. But if this were an ideal world my ideal election scenario would be that all voters would have to pass a sort of test on how aware they are of what the candidates’ stands are on the top issues of the campaign before they’re allowed to vote.

By Sherrie Crews on 09/09/2008 11:47 am

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Thank You Sherrie. I am glad somebody finally got what I was driving at.

By John Usher on 09/09/2008 12:35 pm

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John - I think you missed what I was driving at. Of course we should all do our part to educate ourselves on the issues and how the politicians stand on each issue. But none of us has the right to tell someone else that they shouldn’t vote. I guess I agree with your opinion but had a hard time swallowing the heavy hand that it was dealt with.

By Maggi D on 09/09/2008 11:35 pm

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A “test” was used after 1870 to identify an “uninformed” electorate. The problem was that is was created and effectively used to discriminate against blacks who had a constitutional right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 abolished those and other racially motivated restrictions. I understand your point John and Sherrie that in a perfect world with the stakes so high, only those who have taken the time to be informed SHOULD be allowed to vote. But that is the unique nature of our government that WE the people vote our conscious, be it informed or not. Imposing a competency test to vote is rife with the potential to abuse, subjugate and discriminate— definitely NOT the American way.

By Lena B on 09/09/2008 2:38 pm

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Well Sherrie, unfortunately it’s a little late in the game to fantasize about changing the way the laws read although…hm, the Republicans in SC did manage to conveniently “close” polling places in predominantly black sectors in the last national election..but wait, I digress. John, you sound a bit upset by the reality that your brother is being sent to fight “in the sand” as you put it. No one is arguing with you, you are arguing with yourself at this point! And yes, I used to play The Beatles’ “Birthday” at every birthday party I gave BUT I was not running for the country’s highest offices. There’s a difference. And, please, give us all a little credit here. Do you really think we’re sitting around watching VMA and Trading Places (whatever those are) because, at least in my case, I don’t have cable TV, I actually read and process the meteor shower of information cascading over us every day. I will pray for your brother and all the other wonderful young men and women fighting for my right and privilege to speak my mind freely…just as you have done.

By Bonita Caracciolo on 09/09/2008 2:08 pm

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If I vote for any other reason, it will be to cancel out John Usher’s vote. FWIW, I do not cast my vote based on the platform of the parties. I base my vote on who I believe will best select future supreme court justices who are constitutionalists and not seeking to direct the court according to their own beliefs. Most of what goes on in Congress has little or nothing to do with my every day life, but many rulings of the supreme court do.

By Carol Smith on 09/09/2008 4:27 pm

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i would not want my personal music to be used by the republians either. i am sure the wilson sisters are progressive thinkers and they do not want to be linked to Palin in any way shape or form. and i am sure they would want royalties. why not? that is their job palin can get one of the big oil men to have her a song made. just for her.

By amy lamb-hall on 09/09/2008 4:46 pm

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well I believe all of you have missed the point, im not bitter my brother is going to fight if I could pass a physical I would fight along side him, It would be the greatest honor to fight for the ideals this country was founded upon. As far as Sarah Palin using this song, gimme a break did she or did she not purchase the album. Does she profit FINANCIALLY each time it is played NO… radio stations, movies, corporations using song to entice you to purchase a product are the people that owe rights as they are all profiting from the artists’ material. as a vote is cast freely there stands to be no FINANCIAL gain therefore it is a factual statement not a matter of opinion while I am running for mayor or any other public office I will now make it a point to play the best of heart album I purchased probably 10 years ago everywhere I go despite what Nancy Wilson thinks…….

By John Usher on 09/09/2008 5:52 pm

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hey john, put the joint down and focus.do you just give palin and mccain dollars daily? chances are slim on that.to damn bad you can not go in to the armed forces. maybe then you would have to grow up and see what is really going on.

By amy lamb-hall on 09/09/2008 7:08 pm

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John, you’re just being combative now. I think it is you that is missing the point! It’s not that the Wilson’s don’t want their song played simply because of royalties. They have made it very plain that they do not want Governor Palin to play their song because they do not agree with her politics. Period. So get over it and move on, son!

By Bonita Caracciolo on 09/09/2008 6:41 pm

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hey john, come out of mommmie’s basement and look at what you see.are you happy? are you making money? do you like where we are going?and do you see anyone here using the word retardiness?i really hope you got my earlier message.

By amy lamb-hall on 09/10/2008 4:30 pm

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Does using an anti-establishment song to support the establishment constitute an alteration to the fundamental character of the song? Turning the song into a political statement implies support of the artists, which Heart is clearly and loudly protesting. I think that the RNC may have bought a license from some broker like ASCAP without ever contacting the artists about throwing their work into the political ring. I like the idea of donating part of the receipt from the RNC to the Obama campaign. I would also like to see the song released with new lyrics, proceeds to the DNC. And exactly what are we talking about: Barracuda, written by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, and Mike Derosier ©1977 Strange Euphoria Music/Know Music/BMI Songs/Of The Roses Music (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved Excerpts from the song, without explicit permission of the copyright holder, but (IMO) within what is left of “Fair Use” rights.

“You smiled like the Sun - kisses for everyone and tales - it never fails! You lying so low in the weeds But you gonna ambush me You’d have me down on my knees Wouldn’t you, Barracuda?” …

“If the real thing don’t do the trick You better make up something quick You gonna burn it out to the wick aren’t you, Barracuda?”

If Republicans looked past the title, they might realize that the song they are using to promote Palin is actually a condemnation. Just what is it that the Republicans get? They plan to keep using this song despite objections from the artists. The Republican ticket’s response to the request: “Ignore it, my friends, and just enjoy the scorching guitar licks.” They say that their use of the song is legal, but that sets the ethical bar damn low for a party running on a reform platform.

By Zera Lee on 09/11/2008 8:25 pm