I am hard pressed to call anything that happens in the Entertainment media "news," but Rolling Stone is reporting that singer John Cougar Mellencamp has told John McCain to stop using his music during McCain's campaign rallies.
At some recent John McCain campaign rallies, John Mellencamp’s “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” have been booming out over the speakers. Uplifting heartland rock must have seemed like a smart pick, but there’s just one problem: Mellencamp is an ardent Democrat. And, until recently, he supported John Edwards – who had been playing “Our Country” and “Small Town” at his rallies. Mellencamp hasn’t yet made a public response, but his reps are quietly reaching out to McCain and asking him to stop playing his tunes.
Aside from the general "who cares" of this incident, it is just one more example of the intolerance of the left in America today.Then again Johnny Cougar always was a guy that took himself waaaay too seriously.
It's bad enough that aging rocker Johnny Cougar Mellecamp is so filled with hate that he cannot even brook a Republican candidate enjoying his music, but Rolling Stone goes even farther by attacking any Republican for even listening to Mellencamp's music.
Not to mention that the far-right types whose votes McCain is seeking won’t love the mildly progressive lyrics to “Our Country,” which call on the government to “help the poor and common man” and suggest that “there’s room enough here for science to live/ And there’s room enough here for religion to forgive.” And does McCain really want to associate himself with those “Pink Houses” lines about the “simple man” paying for the “the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill”?
I'm always surprised that anyone who works at Rolling Stone is able to come out of their drug induced stupor long enough to even peck out their little "news" stories on their munchies encrusted keyboards, myself. How 'bout you?
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Aside from the general
February 5, 2008 - 13:40 ET by balboaAside from the general "who cares" of this incident, it is just one
more example of the intolerance of the left in America today.
Well that's a load of baloney of a large magnitude.
ANY musical artist regardless of political affiliation, who feels passionately about politics, would not be happy if someone from the opposite party was using that artist's music. If you're going to beat the "intolerance of the left" drum, at least get some rhythm.
Rolling Stone recently
February 5, 2008 - 13:52 ET by katleeRolling Stone recently celebrated it's 40th anniversary - it is an institution. I seriously doubt that Newsbusters will be around in 40 years.
Yep -- Rolling Stone has
February 5, 2008 - 15:49 ET by lotrYep -- Rolling Stone has certainly made it as a successful business enterprise that feeds upon a faux "counterculture."
No, It "WAS" An Institution
February 5, 2008 - 16:42 ET by Del DolemonteAs one who started reading RS in the days of Ralph J. Gleason, I can assure you it's not an institution, except in the mind of its founder. Back in those days, it was actually relevant and sticked to what it covered best-music.
Now it's slick gloss, with about 3 pages of music per issue and the rest advertising.
Is this a copyright
February 5, 2008 - 14:09 ET by motherbeltIs this a copyright issue?
If it is, he can tell McCain to stop playing them or face legal consequences.
If not, Mellencamp can only ask McCain to stop....he has no standing to bar him from playing them.
If it's a copyright issue,
February 5, 2008 - 14:43 ET by Hero SquadIf it's a copyright issue, I'm not sure Mellencamp can stop him if he pays the proper copyright fees. That's why this was framed as a request rather than a "cease and desist."
Maybe McCain can respond by adding "Cherry Bomb" to the playlist: "One night me with my big mouth... a couple guys had to put me in my place."
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Copyright
February 5, 2008 - 14:49 ET by nkviking75If McCain has obtained a blanket license from ASCAP or BMI, whichever applies here, he's allowed to play whatever music those agencies license. At least, that's how I understand it.
Rush uses a Pretenders song for his theme. Rush says they don't like it, but they were unable to stop him from using it. It's a different situation, but similar.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
The Performing Rights
February 5, 2008 - 15:01 ET by TruthMongerThe Performing Rights Organizations like ASCAP or BMI control this - they make money off of the performance of these songs - the publisher(s)(ie owner(s) of each song (which may or may not include Mellencamp) have licensed these PRO's for a fee to in turn license performance of these songs out to others - so as long as the campaign adheres to the song licensing agreements laid out by the PRO in question, Mellencamp himself cannot force a cease and desist, even the publisher(s) would have to have the PRO's approval for this - really only the PRO can try cease and desists like this until their agreement with the song publisher(s) expires - but if they didn't stipulate this particular "Democrat's Only" caveat in the original license it would be very difficult...
Thanks for straightening
February 5, 2008 - 15:20 ET by motherbeltThanks for straightening that out guys...I'm not extremely knowledgable about copyright law. For instance, I didn't know that he couldn't stop the playing of it as long as McCain paid the appropriate copyright fees.
I can certainly understand any artist worrying that having their music played amounts to an endorsement of that candidate, but I think most people are smart enough to figure out that it's not, and the candidate just likes the song, or thinks it says something they want said.
However, Mellencamp, like most "celebrities," is so full of himself that he thinks it's always about him.
pleasure MB - actually
February 5, 2008 - 15:37 ET by TruthMongerpleasure MB - actually their aren't too many major artists that control usage of their big hits - the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Prince, etc do not control much of their famous material - usually their earlier stuff - even they need permission to perform them...
The Way I Heard It
February 5, 2008 - 16:37 ET by Del DolemonteChrissie Hynde didn't want to let Rush use her song, but they reached an agreement that let him use it as long as the royalties he gave her for using it went to PETA. FYI, supposedly Chrissie's mom is a huge Limbaugh fan.
I heard a story once, never confirmed, that Chrissie was doing a gig somewhere here in the US, and when she started playing "My City Was Gone", a bunch of people in the audience started chanting "Rush, Rush,". She stormed off in a snit.
Chrissie's royalties
February 5, 2008 - 23:20 ET by nkviking75Chrissie could certainly donate her royalties from Rush to whatever cause she likes, but I'm sure Rush would not pay them directly to a lefty organization.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
An artist's work is public owned when it is publicized
February 5, 2008 - 13:55 ET by Lame CherryWhen John Cougar sold his music for profit and it became public property he gave up all right for it to be played at public events.
What he is asking is demanding the NFL stop using his music as bumps.........or could you imagine the family of Francis Scott Key DEMANDING THAT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM COULD NOT BE PLAYED AT HILLARY CLINTON EVENTS.
Not that she does it any way.
If I were McCain I would flip Johnny Cougar the bird and inform th world, "This is the kind of repression I fought, was wounded and tortured over in Vietnam and I sure will not succumb to it in the United States of America".
I certainly would not like my artistic work which is published ending up on a Hillary site, but when one creates and publishes people can use it all they want as long as they are not making a profit off of it.
Cougar needs to lighten up. Get a gun and go hunting, bbq his harvest on a grill, breathe some fresh air and be an American for awhile and stop hanging out with the loons for awhile.........and remember that EVERY candidate he has played guitar for has gone down to defeat.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Small Paradise, I'm glad to see that everythings alright with you........come and get ya get ya get ya small paradise. Have a good one Johnny Cougar.
these songs are not public
February 5, 2008 - 15:10 ET by TruthMongerthese songs are not public property - they are owned by "the publishers" - they can be "licensed" for use - rented out in other words...
that's also why it's illegal to just share them around the internet at will, etc...
but I seriously doubt the performing rights licenses for these tunes prevent certain politial groups from usage...
that would be strange...
but any license can be revoked by the owners - of course they could face serious breach-of-contract repercussions if the revocation is in violation of the license agreement...
some songs are public domain but certainly not Mellencamp's biggest hits...
1. Yes, John Mellencamp
February 5, 2008 - 14:07 ET by JasonC1. Yes, John Mellencamp sucks. No two ways about it. He's made a living doing a 5th-rate job of channeling some Dylan/Springsteen hybrid.
2. However, it sounds as if this has been handled in the most mannered, dignified, proper way possible. JCM hasn't used it as an opportunity to denounce McCain or conservatives in general. He hasn't even mentioned it in public. He quietly asked his reps to ask McCain to stop. And frankly, I don't think it's inappropriate to ask, especially in such a non-confrontational way. If JCM is uncomfortable having his songs associated with a Republican campaign, it's his right to say so. McCain, conversely, has the RIGHT to say "screw you, it's in the public domain".
In conclusion, this is not an example of the left's "rampant intolerance for conservatism and the 1st Amendment" or whatever bombastic new characterization Warner has cobbled together this week. The fact that the story is on NB, and written with the tone and diction that it is, is indicative of nothing but Huston's ceaseless liberal bias snipe hunt.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
Please stop it, Jason. I
February 5, 2008 - 14:13 ET by Roger the ShrubberPlease stop it, Jason. I have a strict weekly limit on the number of times I can agree with you...
:p
Come on, it's been at least
February 5, 2008 - 14:21 ET by JasonCCome on, it's been at least a week. Shall we attempt a high five?
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
You're spot on here,
February 5, 2008 - 14:32 ET by fitzfongYou're spot on here, Jason. I do have to wonder why any candidate would want to play that nauseating "Our Country". Wasn't it drilled into our consciousness enough during those Chevy commercials? What's next, McCain replaces it with Bob Seger's "Like a Rock"?
Fitz, Great point. I was
February 5, 2008 - 14:34 ET by LeonFitz,
Great point. I was never a Mellencamp fan, but for the most part, I was simply indifferent about his music.
The Chevy commercials made me HATE his music. Absolutely hate it.
Actually probably shows you
February 5, 2008 - 15:26 ET by Dan The Man 2Actually probably shows you watch too much TV.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
I like some of his music.
February 5, 2008 - 14:50 ET by balboaI like some of his music. Cherry Bomb, Check it Out, Pink Houses.
But you're SO right about everything else.
What?
February 5, 2008 - 16:44 ET by voodoodaddyIn conclusion, this is not an example of the left's "rampant intolerance for conservatism and the 1st Amendment" or whatever bombastic new characterization Warner has cobbled together this week.
It sure as heck is and if not, then what is it? The simple fact that he asked that he not play his music (well, to some it is music) because MCcain is simply a Republican (in name only) is a perfect example. There is absolutely no other reason nor can there be.
He has the right to
February 5, 2008 - 18:20 ET by JasonCHe has the right to request, and even according to Warner's article, it was done quietly and respectfully, that McCain &co. not use his music. If he is a lifelong, committed Democrat, he is perfectly entitled to feel conflicted about a republican, even if he happens not to be your idea of a model republican, using his music as a theme song or whatever. If he was publicly denouncing McCain or unleashing a phalanx of lawyers upon him, then you might have a case of "raging intolerance". As far as I can tell, Mellencamp is doing this with class and never even meant for it to be a public issue. I suppose that if Hillary Clinton started using a Ted Nugent song in her appearances, you'd condemn Nugent for raging anti-liberalism if he said he was uncomfortable about it?
Again, I'm not being a Mellencamp apologist. I don't like him and I don't much care for the democratic party. My criticism is with Warner's inability to refrain from characterizing as an outrageous example of intolerance and prior restraint any incident in which someone even benignly slights a republican or conservative ideology.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
I wonder...
February 5, 2008 - 19:42 ET by mvfreemanif Warner has a bet to see which insignificant thing he can write about and still get people riled up.
How long can a bet
February 5, 2008 - 19:50 ET by JasonCHow long can a bet last?
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
Obviously the past two weeks
February 5, 2008 - 20:19 ET by balboaObviously the past two weeks for sure.
I am endlessly amused by the
February 5, 2008 - 21:24 ET by Warner Todd HustonI am endlessly amused by the fact that you leftists keep coming back to comment on a thread you say isn't worth talking about!
On missing the obvious:
"I just think you could point to a million different stories... But to point at one and blame the liberal bias seems pointless."
--Comment by Balboa, Feb 3, 2008 - 11:21 ET, on Newsbusters, a site where "exposing and combating liberal media bias" is the WHOLE point the site exists!
So you're getting SOMETHING
February 5, 2008 - 23:01 ET by balboaSo you're getting SOMETHING out of it, if not good stories for the site.
Let's spell it out for
February 6, 2008 - 00:17 ET by JasonCLet's spell it out for Warner, shall we?
The Mellencamp story: Utterly devoid of meaningful content. Banal. A registered-democrat musician was bothered by a republican using his songs and politely, non-threateningly, and non-publicly asked said politician not to. Wow! Stop the presses! Will the jackboot of washed-up-soft-rock-fascism never cease to trounce upon the voiceless and oppressed millionaire politicians? [sarc off].
Warner's Gratuitous Use of Non-Stories in the Service of Convincing Blog-Readers that Liberals Everywhere are trying to Take Away Their 1st Amendment Rights: This is why I return to offer critique; because your style of reporting is indicative of a trend I have noticed becoming more prominent since the legislative branch fell to the Democrats: fomenting fear among conservatives and even those fantasmatic "centrist" folks that all liberals and democrats are effete America-haters just waiting to implement their campaign of intolerance and free-speech restriction. In other words, a growing, collective persecution complex and general hysteria that if one is conservative, the MsM and the powerful elites are conspiring against them. A regimented histrionics of conservatism embedded in tiny, inconsequential stories of everyday political partisanship.
Choate-Rosemary Hall, UMass' student paper, and John Mellencamp are not going to end free speech. These stories are eye-roll-inducingly asinine, but that fact alone wouldn't be so bad if you didn't use them to level such bombastic and out of proportion accusations at the left in general. I don't know if you truly find these things threatening or if you assume that if you have a new one each week, no matter how trivial, more people will buy into the victimization line of reasoning - nor do I much care - but either way, that is why I return to argue and criticize.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
I'm no leftie...
February 6, 2008 - 13:18 ET by mvfreemanBut the outrage you try to foment at the tiniest percieved slight of conservatives gives the impression that some conservatives are a bunch of whiney, thin-skinned, paranoid schizophrenics.
Is that the kind of image we want to have?
Cougar can complain to no avail
February 5, 2008 - 14:08 ET by exLibWell, Bruce Hornsby apparently objected to Sean Hannity using his music as bumper music for his radio show but Sean still uses it.
Bruce Sringsteen objected to using Born in the USA when Reagan was using it, but I think Reagan stopped.
Personally, guys like Springsteen and Cougar are NOT common folk, just like guys like John Edwards are NOT common folk.
I Really don't get why "poor" people identify with frauds like Kerry and Edwards who obviously NEVER hung out with the unwashed masses, yet pretend to be "like them".
The sad truth is, there is
February 5, 2008 - 14:22 ET by KillgraveThe sad truth is, there is no right-leaning rock artist worth a spit, with the possible exception of Ted Nugent. The only music coming out of the right is pop-country, which frankly is a bunch of cr*p.
I always find it odd how Republican types try to get away using tunes from clearly leftist artists. Rush opens his show with a killer baseline from The Pretender's "My City Was Gone". I'm only guessing here, but I don't think Limbaugh and Hynde agree on a lot of things.
He likes the music. She's
February 5, 2008 - 14:27 ET by fitzfongHe likes the music. She's a liberal, but her parents are conservative and enjoy Rush Limbaugh. She's apparently OK with it.
Killgrave; Rush pays over 1/2 million a year to play it.
February 5, 2008 - 15:09 ET by upcountrywaterHynde, donates the money to PETA.
iranian uranium; iranian uranium, iranian uranium..
4 (unthinkable) H-bombs, NOW THAT'S SOME CHANGE
Keep the change Bob.
Personally I agree with Mellencamp
February 5, 2008 - 14:29 ET by candanceHe's not out there bashing McCain or trying to sue him or hinder his campaign. He quietly asked for them to find different music.
If I were an artist who created popular material, it would annoy me to find liberals taking advantage of it. A campaign is not a neutral thing, it's harshly political and Mellencamp doesn't want people getting the wrong idea.
I was never a Fleetwood Mac
February 5, 2008 - 15:23 ET by motherbeltI was never a Fleetwood Mac fan, but I HATE it that now every time I hear that one song (which shall remain nameless) it makes me think of Bill Clinton LOL.
Now it's in my head. Thx
February 5, 2008 - 15:25 ET by Roger the ShrubberNow it's in my head. Thx alot....
Rog... Same here! Dang it
February 5, 2008 - 15:27 ET by bigtimerRog...
Same here!
Dang it all mb!
Who Wants McCain -- Creedence Clearchannel Rush
February 5, 2008 - 15:32 ET by Jack BauerWho Wants McCain -- Creedence Clearchannel Rush is just playing on his show.
Now that's in my head all night
Sorry guys, but Jack had a
February 5, 2008 - 18:13 ET by motherbeltSorry guys, but Jack had a great alternative for you......
Rog...would you hum a few
February 5, 2008 - 22:03 ET by JerRog...would you hum a few bars--for old time's sake? I just can't stop...thinking about...yesterday.
Jer
Come on, Jer. It took hours
February 6, 2008 - 08:15 ET by Roger the ShrubberCome on, Jer. It took hours to get the song out of my head yesterday. You are cruel, cruel, cruel!
Unfortunately, after last
February 6, 2008 - 14:08 ET by fitzfongUnfortunately, after last night's results, I'm anticipating another of Fleetwood Mac's hits getting awfully familiar again..."Landslide". Well, as long as it's not the torturous Dixie Chicks version (which made the Smashing Pumpkins cover sound great), I won't mind so much.
Yeah, that reeked of the
February 5, 2008 - 18:22 ET by JasonCYeah, that reeked of the worst aspects of self-involved baby boomerism.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
Fair Game
February 5, 2008 - 14:37 ET by NoMoreClintonsHey, Johnnie Cougar - watch it . . . or we'll sic Ted Nugent on you.
I don't have a problem with
February 5, 2008 - 14:53 ET by Adam_MEI don't have a problem with this. If John Mellencamp(does he still use the "Cougar"?) doesn't want McCain playing his music, that's his right. Just like it's the public's right to avoid his concerts and reject his CDs if we feel like he's disrespecting conservatives and Republicans.
This is not like the Dixie Chunks badmouthing the President while performing overseas.
Stop it! You're impeding
February 5, 2008 - 14:56 ET by balboaStop it! You're impeding the progress of the Outrage Express!!!
...I don't know if he uses
February 5, 2008 - 14:56 ET by Warner Todd Huston...I don't know if he uses Cougar or not it's what I remember from his past career.
No, no more Cougar. He's
February 5, 2008 - 15:24 ET by motherbeltNo, no more Cougar. He's just John Mellencamp now. Not that it revived his career any......
His Nickname Is...
February 5, 2008 - 16:39 ET by Del DolemonteHis nickname has always been "Little Bastard". You do the math.
Why don't they listen to the lyrics first?
February 5, 2008 - 15:14 ET by greenfairieIt amazes me how many conservative/Republican campaigns are suckered into using songs that aren't patriotic or conservative. "Born In The U.S.A." was a bitter tune about a Vietnam vet and not in a they-didn't-support-us sort of way either. "Our Country" sounds like a non-partisan, patriotic tune until you read the lyrics; it's a not-so-disguised rally for liberals/leftists to take back "their" country.
Rolling Stone thinks anyone who's not a pot-smoking retiree with a long white ponytail and a 23-year-old girlfriend is part of the extreme right. It's such a stupid and irrelevant rag, it's not even funny.
Good point.
February 5, 2008 - 15:53 ET by lotrGood point.
You can always change the meaing of a song
February 5, 2008 - 16:10 ET by exLibWhat if God was one Us, was originally written by an Atheist and it was supposed to be sarcastic, hence the term "slob" in the chorus.
However, Joan Osborne turned it around and made it a positive.
As most people don't listen to lyrics all that critically, I bet the vast majority of people don't even know to this day "Born in the USA" by Bruce S. was a derogatory tune. And I'll be you that not only is Bruce glad that is the case, he counted it on.
Bruce Springsteen is another guy, like Melloncollie who learned early on how to act like "the common man" and make allot of dough.
Can Johnny Cougar stop McCain?
February 5, 2008 - 15:14 ET by lgeubankAs long as McCain pays ASCAP or BMI (whichever little Johnny uses), I don't think Johnny can stop him. Could he tell a radio station, "Everybody except YOU is allowed to play my music"? No!
For general information, I'll add that the best way to think of ASCAP and BMI is, they're royalty-collecting agencies. An artist can't go around to all the radio stations in the world and collect a nickel or dime every time they play his song. So the "Performance-rights organizations," a/k/a/ royalty collectors, handle it for him, under contract. You sign with ASCAP or BMI or some other lesser agency, and they become your collectors.
And boy, how they do collect! ASCAP went after the Girl Scouts (or was it the Boy Scouts?) a few years back, to collect for songs sung around a campfire! So you can bet they'll be getting $$ from McCain.
But Pissant Mellencamp, I don't think, has anything to say about it.
Did they win??? Nuke em til
February 5, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Dan The Man 2Did they win???
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Rolling Stone thinks McCain
February 5, 2008 - 15:40 ET by wiwfRolling Stone thinks McCain is far right/wants far right votes? LOL
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Huh?
February 5, 2008 - 15:43 ET by Santino CorleoneWhat's next? Elton John stopping Hillary from using "The Bitch is Back"? Yoko stopping Obama from using "Nowhere Man"?
Stop the insanity!!!
Turn the station!
February 5, 2008 - 17:21 ET by ammo johnI never cared for any of Smellencamp's music. Everytime I hear him on I change the station. That goes for Sprungsteen, too.
My business partner (we
February 5, 2008 - 18:07 ET by USA4freedomMy business partner (we owned a bar) was a lunatic leftist. But he would play "My City Was Gone" by the Pretenders all the time.(theme song of Rush) I would sit and laugh my ass off every time he did. When I sold out to him I told him, he told me he would never play it again.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
The Rolling Stones sold
February 5, 2008 - 20:50 ET byThe Rolling Stones sold Microsoft "Start Me Up" for $5 mil in 95. They pretty own song. Today it would cost them $20 mil.
If Cougar let Chevy use the song for a fee, it doesn't mean McCain can
use it -- unless Chevy bought the song for $20 mil and let McCain use
it. I doubt that happened because Cougar's people wouldn't be waisting
their breath.