Neil Young Backs Gov. Tim Walz’s DNC Use of ‘Rockin’ in the Free World

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz received approval from Neil Young to use the iconic song “Rockin’ in the Free World” during his speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 21. Walz, known for his deep-rooted midwestern values and love for classic rock, used the song to conclude his address as he accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for Vice President alongside Kamala Harris.

Neil Young, a legendary rock music figure, granted Walz permission to use the 1989 anthem, which is famous for its critique of former Republican President George H. W. Bush and commentary on social issues like climate change and homelessness. This endorsement from Young contrasts sharply with his previous objections to former President Donald Trump using his music without permission during the 2015 campaign, which led Young to consider legal action against Trump. In 2020, Young sued Trump for copyright infringement for using his songs at rallies, though the case was dropped after Trump’s defeat.

Walz’s entrance music for the DNC was John Mellencamp’s “Small Town,” though it was unclear at press time if Mellencamp had also approved the song’s use. This situation echoes a broader trend of artists, including the estates of Isaac Hayes and Beyoncé, taking legal action against Trump for unauthorized use of their music at his rallies.

Neil Young expressed his interest in the DNC in a recent post on his Archives site. He mentioned watching the event on C-Span and appreciating its unbiased coverage. The post also featured a reprint of artist Shepard Fairey’s “FORWARD” poster for the Harris campaign.

This incident is part of a broader narrative where many musicians, including the Rolling Stones, Adele, Rihanna, and the late Sinéad O’Connor, have objected to Trump’s use of their music during his political events.

Other artists’ reactions regarding using their music in political contexts, especially by former President Donald Trump, have been overwhelmingly adverse. Many artists have taken legal action or publicly condemned the unauthorized use of their work. Here’s a summary of some notable reactions:

1. The Rolling Stones: The iconic rock band has repeatedly demanded that Trump stop using their songs at rallies. In 2020, they even threatened legal action, citing the unauthorized use of their hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
2. Adele: The British singer-songwriter expressed her disapproval when Trump played her songs “Rolling in the Deep” and “Skyfall” at his campaign events. Her representatives clarified that Adele had not permitted her music to be used this way.
3. Rihanna: The pop superstar quickly condemned Trump’s use of her song “Don’t Stop the Music” at a rally, tweeting that neither she nor her people would ever be at or around one of those “tragic rallies.”
4. Tom Petty: After Trump used Petty’s song “I Won’t Back Down” at a rally, Petty’s family issued a cease-and-desist letter, stating that Petty would never want a song of his used in a hate campaign.
5. Prince’s Estate: The late musician demanded that Trump stop playing “Purple Rain” at his events, reinforcing their stance that using Prince’s music in a political context was unauthorized.
6. Pharrell Williams: The artist sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump after his song “Happy” was played at a rally just hours after a mass shooting in Pittsburgh. Given the circumstances, Pharrell’s lawyer stated that using the song was inappropriate.
7. Queen: The band objected to using their classic hit “We Are the Champions” during Trump’s appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2016, stating that the use was unauthorized.
8. Bruce Springsteen: Though not directly related to Trump, Springsteen has been vocal about his political views, often criticizing Trump and aligning himself with Democratic causes. His songs, like “Born in the U.S.A.,” have often been misinterpreted or used out of context by political figures, including Trump.
9. Beyoncé: Recently, Beyoncé’s label issued a cease-and-desist order to Trump’s campaign for using her song “Freedom” in a social media post without permission. The post was subsequently taken down.

These artists and many others have shown a united front against the unauthorized use of their music in political campaigns, particularly those they do not support. The legal and public responses highlight the importance of respecting intellectual property and the personal values of the artists behind the music.

Story Published on August 22, 2024 at 07:00 AM EDT | Photo Credit: NPR