Tom Petty has told US presidential candidate Michele Bachmann to stop using one of his songs as part of her campaign, insisting he did not give the right-wing politician permission. Within 24 hours of the televised launch of Bachmann’s 2012 campaign, Petty’s lawyers reportedly pounced on the press-conference soundtrack, which used the song American Girl as exit music.
“Petty isn’t pleased,” reported NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, while Rolling Stone confirmed the singer’s lawyers had sent the Minnesota congresswoman a cease and desist order. It’s not even the first bump of Bachmann’s campaign: during her announcement speech, the Tea Party supporter confused the birthplace of actor John Wayne with that of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
Petty’s problem appears to be with Bachmann’s politics. In 2008, the singer allowed Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton to use American Girl for her unsuccessful presidential bid. But he was much less sympathetic in 2000, when Republican candidate George Bush was discovered to be playing I Won’t Back Down at his rallies. “This use has not been approved,” Petty’s representatives told the future president. “Any use made by you or your campaign creates, either intentionally or unintentionally, the impression that you and your campaign have been endorsed by Tom Petty, which is not true.” Bush , er, backed down.
Politicians have got into lots of trouble using pop songs over the last few years. From Sarah Palin and Heart to Nicolas Sarkozy and MGMT, to James Cameron and Keane, politicians’ rallying songs are proving a litigious nightmare. Perhaps they ought to look into using classical music. – guardian.co.uk