A helpful guide for politicians on music - #lakewoodnews

Few things connect with people like music.

As such, it makes sense that politicians would try to harness the power of the art to connect with followers over ideas and concerns.

Sometimes, they just fail spectacularly.

Most of these events --; from fundraisers, town halls, debates and rallies --; feature music in some capacity. It could be a song the candidate walks out to, something invigorating after the speech to pump up supporters, or a way to pass the time waiting for the show to start.

Use of music is one of the quickest ways for the careless politician to get a very public and humiliating tap on the shoulder from an artist. Take when Republican nominee hopeful and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker used "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" from Boston punk band Dropkick Murphys. It tweeted the following: "Please stop using our music in any way ... we literally hate you!!! Love, Dropkick Murphys."

Not exactly subtle, and not a great look for Walker.

I decided to do my civic duty to spare candidates future embarrassment and, hopefully, to ensure the election gods are merciful to me as we enter the worst of it. In that spirit, here are some tips to remember before pressing play:

1. Listen to the song

I know, I know, this one seems like a total no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at the candidates who fail to do just that.

Arguably the most famous example is Ronald Reagan, who used Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" right after it was released in 1984. Sure, the chorus seems tailor-made for political rallies about how great the country is. But if one actually listens to the verses, what Springsteen is really saying is almost the exact opposite.

It tells the story of a man sent to war in Vietnam who returns to find himself cast off and forgotten by the very country that demanded he fight. The last verse ends with "Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go." Not exactly uplifting stuff.

2. Beware of irony

Almost all political events I've covered as a journalist are not only attended by supporters. Some events also will have detractors or demonstrators in the crowd, and even if not, there are going to be reporters like myself who are on no one's side and are there to think critically about what is happening.

So put some thought into the music being played. Music has messages, and even if they are too loud for those in attendance to hear the music, well, people will still notice.

Two recent examples that come to mind involve Republican nominee Donald Trump. At an event in September he took to the stage to R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." I mean, come on.

To be fair, the event played against President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, so the selection was probably meant to reference that. Still, way, way too easy to take it another way.

And after Trump's big acceptance speech at the Republic National Convention just a few weeks ago, he used The Rolling Stone's "You Can't Always Get What You Want." After the ugliness of the primary season, a lot of Republicans probably didn't need to be reminded of that.

To be clear: I'm not going after the Republican Party. But my research for the column showed the vast majority of artist complaints come when Republicans go for basically any music outside of country.

Mitt Romney was on the receiving end of complaints from rapper K'Naan, soul legend Al Green and alt-rockers Silversun Pickups in 2012 when he played their songs. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had both '80s stadium rockers Journey and Survivor on his case for using their music. And John McCain and Sarah Palin's campaign received public complaints from folk rock legend Jackson Browne, the Foo Fighters, Van Halen, John Mellencamp and Swedish pop group Abba, to name just a few.

On the other side of the aisle, in 2012 Cyndi Lauper asked Democrats to stop using her 1986 hit "True Color," which was played at the Democratic National Convention in an ad against Romney. In 2008soul singer Sam Moore asked then-candidate Barack Obama to stop using "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at rallies.

These occurrences are the exception, not the rule, so pick carefully.

Which leads to my final piece of advice:

3. Clear it with the artist

Reaching out to the artist or his or her representative is the easiest way to avoid a public scolding, and can potentially save candidates some money.

According to reporting done for "Rolling Stone" magazine by Steve Knopper, copyright laws feature enough gray areas that musicians can file lawsuits to stop their music from being used.

"If a candidate refuses to stop using a song in this scenario, an artist may be able to protect his 'right of publicity' --; Springsteen's voice blaring over a loudspeaker is part of his image, and he has a right to protect his own image," Knopper writes.

I would think spending a little more time on a playlist is preferable to paying fines or dealing with a lawsuit, and certainly better than being put on notice in a very loud way.

Take 2012, when vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan was using Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" at campaign stops, and frontman Dee Snider issued a statement saying, "I emphatically denounce Paul Ryan's use of my song 'We're Not Gonna Take It' as recorded by my band Twisted Sister. There is almost nothing on which I agree with Paul Ryan, except perhaps the use of the P90X."

Ouch.

But Ryan's camp had a good response: "We're Not Gonna Play It anymore."

Pretty funny.

Perhaps candidates should ignore everything I've just said. I have a feeling we're going to need the laughs.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/A-helpful-guide-for-politicians-on-music,232921