Sunday Song Lyric:
The RNC played the Heart song "Barracuda" after John McCain's acceptance speech on Thursday night, and it seems Heart's Wilson sisters are none too happy about it. Their lawyers have sent a cease-and-desist order to the campaign to prevent further use of the song.
No doubt someone at the RNC chose to play the song because Sarah Palin's earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" on her high school basketball team. But, as Glenn Reynolds notes, it's not the best song to promote the GOP vice presidential candidate given its lyrics. According to the Wilson sisters, "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." Here's a taste:
So this ain't the endHere's a video of Heart performing the song some years back.
I saw you again today
Had to turn my heart away
You smiled like the Sun
Kisses for everyone
And tales - it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
Bet you gonna ambush me
You'd have me down on my knees
Wouldn't you, Barracuda?
UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds has posted the following update:
Reader Gerry Daly says I'm wrong: "The song was in response to ugly, unfounded sexual rumors being spread about the Wilson sisters. In that regard, it is extremely fitting for Palin. Honestly, can you think of a more fitting rejoinder to her foes in politics and the media than 'And if the real thing don't do the trick, you better make up something quick'?" Good point.
Undone, The Guess Who:
She's come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
It was too late
She's come undone
She found a mountain that was far too high
And when she found out she couldn't fly
It was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
She wanted truth but all she got was lies
Came the time to realize
And it was too late
She's come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
Mama, it was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
Too many mountains, and not enough stairs to climb
Too many churches and not enough truth
Too many people and not enough eyes to see
Too many lives to lead and not enough time
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
*Almost* as stupid (but not quite) as both the Republicans *and* the Democrats using "Born in the USA".
Their song is available for use as long as you're willing to pay the fee.
How can they send a C&D on their material that they willingly put up for lease, willingly leased and collected money on?
What? Can't I sing Little Pink Houses in the shower anymore? Does it matter if no one else is home at the time?
Blue talk? At a GOP convention?
It was a joke. I'm sorry; I was very much unaware that commenters weren't supposed to engage in light-hearted humour.
Why does this make it not a good song for her? I thought the people who ran the music industry in the 70's leaned Democrat. Also, Palin is a woman.
I generally agree---and imagine using the music business as an analogue for the press---I can't find anything that would fit better.
Also, watching 15,000 honkeys (calm down--its a joke) at the convention dancing to 70's rock is hilarious.
If Universal Music could tell Stephanie Lenz to take down the YouTube video of her toddler dancing to Prince's "Let's Go Crazy," I think Heart (if the copyright holder), can tell McCain to cease and desist using their music to promote their candidate.
True. However, Ms. Lenz is suing Universal and to this point the courts have refused to dismiss her lawsuit. I'm sure McCain has a team of lawyers that could advice him what is and isn't outside the bounds of copyright law.
I've come across an article that provides a much clearer picture of what is and isn't required of a campaign. I am enclosing a link.
http://www.slate.com/id/2199492/