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 end
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?
Here’s a video of Heart performing the song some years back.
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.