More Campaign Silliness...

I LOVE it when this kind of thing happens: The Republicans "adopted" the classic 1977 HEART song "Barracuda" is a quasi-theme for Palin, and HEART responded with a lawsuit. Other rockers have been in similar situations, most famously when Ronald Reagan co-opted Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA", not even grasping the cynicism and anti-Reagan era theme that the song was all about. How embarrassing... Anyway, here is the article from the Boston Globe:



The rock group Heart has sent a message to John McCain and Sarah "Barracuda'' Palin: quit playing our 1977 hit ''Barracuda.''
Soon after the presidential nominee finished his acceptance speech late Thursday and running-mate Palin joined him on the Republican National Convention stage in St. Paul, the sound system pumped the throbbing introductory guitar licks to "Barracuda.''
It seemed the cleverest musical choice of both conventions. Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, like Alaska Governor Palin, are outspoken products of the Pacific Northwest, and the sisters's tune also could refer to Palin's Dazed-and-Confused-Era nickname of Sarah Barracuda, given for her intense high-school basketball play.
But the Wilsons condemned the usage then and earlier in the convention, adding that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to the McCain-Palin campaign, according to CNN.
UPDATE Friday morning: here's a statement by Ann and Nancy Wilson from EW.com:
"Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image. 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."
No word so far on whether the tune would be dropped from the GOP playlist. "If the real thing don't do the trick,'' Ann Wilson sang in "Barracuda,'' "You better make up something quick.''