Campaign songs are important, and former President Donald Trump has had to find new ones after many, many artists have objected to him using their songs. Beyoncé gave Vice President Kamala Harris her stamp of approval to use her song “Freedom” for her campaign, but it seems like Trump isn’t having the same luck.
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The Root previously covered the ongoing battle between the former president and Isaac Hayes’ estate, but since then, the list of musicians who are taking action against Trump has only gotten longer. So let’s take a look at just a few artists who made their disapproval known to the GOP candidate... and be prepared. It’s a lot.
ABBA
The four original members of the Swedish pop group, ABBA, are still alive, and as long as they’re still kicking, they want it to be known that Trump has no permission to play their music.
ABBA’s record company told Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Aug. 29 they “discovered that videos have been released where Abba’s music has been used at Trump’s events and have requested that such use be immediately taken down and removed.”
Beyoncé
Trump tried it! Just because Queen Bey gave Kamala Harris permission doesn’t mean the GOP nominee gets the same privilege to use “Freedom” for his campaign. Beyoncé’s team was quick to threaten Trump with a cease and desist after his campaign spokesperson posted a 13-second campaign video with the 2016 hit playing in the background.
Isaac Hayes
Former President Donald Trump added yet another legal battle to his toppling plate after the estate of Hayes announced its lawsuit against him on Aug. 11. The suit comes after years of threats against Trump to refrain from using “Hold on I’m Coming” written by Hayes in 1966. Clearly, the GOP nominee didn’t take the warnings seriously, and now it could cost him $3 million.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Back at the 2016 Republican National Convention, the house band played a rendition of “September,” and Earth, Wind, & Fire was not having it. In a tweet, the group expressed their disapproval of the “unauthorized” use of their smash hit.
The Rolling Stones
The band told Trump not once but twice to quit using their music. Despite their wishes, Trump has walked out to “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” multiple times, and now, The Rolling Stones is threatening to take legal action, according to BBC. “The Rolling Stones are taking further steps to exclude him using their songs at any of his future political campaigning,” read a statement released by the band.
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell was not happy when Trump played his song “Happy” during a rally back in 2018. A letter from Pharrell’s lawyer quickly found its way to Trump’s doorstep, saying “Pharrell has not, and will not, grant you permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music.”
The letter also blasted Trump for using “Happy” on the same day 11 people were killed at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Sinéad O’Conner
Earlier this year, the late singer’s estate told Trump to “desist from using her music immediately” in a statement shared with AP News. O’Conner’s estate went on to say she personally called Trump a “biblical devil” and would be “disgusted, hurt and insulted” that Trump used her song “Nothing Compares 2 U” during his rallies.
Linkin Park
In 2020, the band tweeted that a cease-and-desist was sent after Trump retweeted a campaign video using their song “In The End.” The video has since been deleted. This wasn’t the first time the band called Trump out either. Two years before lead vocalist Chester Bennington died, he tweeted that “Donald Trump is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism” in 2015.
Eddy Grant
Singer Eddy Grant was not playing with the GOP nominee after Trump used his song “Electric Avenue” during his 2020 campaign. In an interview, the singer said he took Trump to court over the matter, citing a “lack of respect.” Grant has control over the copyrights to his music, which is how he was able to sue Trump.
Queen
Apparently, Queen doesn’t allow any of their music to be played as part of presidential campaigns, but Trump did not get that message. In 2016, Trump walked out to “We Are The Champions,” and Queen bandmate Brian May said he planned to take legal action, according to CNN.
The Beatles
The estate of Beatles member George Harrison was upset about the use of the Beatles’ music during the 2016 Republican National Convention. Shortly after the event, Harrison’s estate took to X, writing “The unauthorized use of #HereComestheSun at the #RNCinCLE is offensive & against the wishes of the George Harrison estate.”
Guns N’ Roses
Founding band member Axl Rose has repeatedly made his hatred for the former president known, and after Trump gave a speech over the Guns N’ Roses cover of “Live and Let Die,” enough was enough. Following Trump’s appearance, the band dropped merchandise slamming Trump and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shirts read “Live ‘N Let Die With COVID 45.”
Prince
In 2018, the Trump campaign agreed to refrain from using Prince’s music. In 2019, Trump broke that agreement and played “Purple Rain” during a rally in Minneapolis, where the singer is from. After breaking his promise, Prince’s estate took to X to once again call Trump out and also share the 2018 letter.
Elton John
Trump was surely bummed out when one of his favorite artists, Elton John, said he didn’t want his music used in any American campaign, according to Business Insider. Although he said it was “nothing personal,” John later performed at the White House. He was also awarded a medal by President Joe Biden.
Panic! at the Disco
One way to tell Trump to stop playing your music is to do it in the style of Panic! at the Disco vocalist Brendon Urie. He took to X to get the message across saying “Dear Trump Campaign, F*ck you. You’re not invited. Stop playing my song.”
Well...that works!
Rihanna
Billionaire RiRi stopped everything to send a cease-and-desist notice to Trump after he used “Don’t Stop the Music” during a rally, reported Rolling Stone. According to her lawyers, Trump’s use of Rihanna’s music “creates a false impression that Ms. Fenty is affiliated with, connected to or otherwise associated with Trump.”
Adele
The British singer has been nothing short of vocal about her dislike for the former president. So when Trump used “Rolling In The Deep” as his “warm-up music,” Adele made it clear that he had no permission to do so, according to the Guardian.
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