McCain's Campaign Theme Song?
By Alexham Posted in 2008 | John McCain | Seriously what the Hell were you thinking? — Comments (117) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
From the "you gotta be kidding me" files:
[McCain], who had already been banned by John Mellencamp, the American rocker, from using his hits 'Our Country' and 'Pink Houses', found out that he has few fans in Scandinavia when he tried to adopt Abba's "Take a chance on me" as his campaign song. After running into difficulties with the Swedish supergroup, McCain lamented to reporters on board his plane that it wasn't as easy to play the song as he thought.
Just who in the heck is advising McCain? Is there anything less manly than this?:
Geez. I am having a hard enough time getting myself pumped up to support McCain without having this kind of nonsense thrown at me.
You want a kickin' campaign theme song, Senator McCain? Try this one on for size.
Or perhaps something a little more subtle. I am certainly open to suggestions. :)
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Disclaimer: I am a member of a state-wide executive committee that is affiliated with Governor Mike Huckabee's campaign for the GOP presidential nomination
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
Believe it or not, this makes me feel just a little better about voting for him. He apparently has a terrific sense of humor.
Age and treachery will beat youth, idealism and inexperience - every time!
Tom Scholz, the mastermind behind Boston, has warned off Mike Huckabee from playing More Than A Feeling (hat tip: Brit Hume):
The founder and chief songwriter for the 1970's rock group Boston — Tom Scholz— has written to Mike Huckabee — complaining that he is using the hit song "More Than a Feeling" without permission. Scholz is objecting to what he says is the implication that the band has endorsed Huckabee. Another former member of the band has appeared with Huckabee at campaign events and they have played the song with Huckabee's band.
He wrote a letter to Huckabee, which was published in Rolling Stone:
BOSTON has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything BOSTON stands for. In fact, although I’m impressed you learned my bass guitar part on More Than a Feeling, I am an Obama supporter.
While this may seem like a little thing to you, BOSTON has been my life’s work. I hold the trademark to the name and my reputation is inexorably tied to it.
By using my song, and my band’s name BOSTON, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I’ve been ripped off, dude!
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
"Take a chance on me" is an awful choice for a campaign theme song.
"More than a feeling" isn't a great choice, but it is a damn sight better than "Take a chance on me."
BTW, this is supposed to be a fun post. Lighten up, Gunga Din.
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Disclaimer: I am a member of a state-wide executive committee that is affiliated with Governor Mike Huckabee's campaign for the GOP presidential nomination
I was intending to make a blog post of my own about Mike Huckabee vs. Tom Scholz, but since you already had an article about McCain's troubles of the same sort, I decided it'd go better as a comment here.
Besides, do you know the words to More Than A Feeling? Unless he's using Marianne as a metaphor for the country, it's a horrible choice.
If politicians want a rock song for their theme, I'd personally recommend Extreme, _When I'm President_ or _Politicalamity_, though Styx's _Hip-Hop-Cracy_ isn't bad either.
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Red, White and Blue is the way to go. Who is advising this guy? They need to pick up the guys who did the video's for Fred Thompson.
Erik
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
ABBA?! What?! Why didn't he just bust out a Wham!, or a Milli Vanilli tune and be a complete wuss!
Metallical! All-American!
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“It must not be supposed that folly is as powerful as truth,
just because it can, if it likes, shout louder and longer than truth.”
--Augustine
Not necessary. Who can understand the words, anyway?
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
And I've been in a crowd of several thousand that can sing every Metallica song word for word.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQubWWKXYg
from Taylor Hicks
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.
-- Pericles (430 B.C.)
"Free Government Requires Active Citizens"
www.missouriyr.com - Missouri Federation of Young Republicans
McCain's McCain. Why not advertise that?
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
I have watched it 58 times...IMHO that is.
Can you tell I am an ex F-14 guy?
A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have. Thomas Jefferson
in one weekend if you get cable
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Turn speakers down. There is naughty language.
"A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition." -- Rudyard Kipling
McCain picked this song off the top of his head, while talking to reporters on his bus. He was just tired of Johnny B. Goode and wanted a change.
One I would consider:
-Ben
Yeah. You can count on that whole generation of rockers to have appeared on stage together at one point or another. (Though I tend to like them, despite their politics.)
-Ben
But when they sell their music they give up the right to determine who uses it for what purpose. I remember Springsteen making the same fuss over W using his music on the campaign trail.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
They have signed contracts with 3rd parties for these things and "no licensing to Republicans" isn't typically a clause in those contracts. If you maintain complete control over your music you can do whatever you want. You can also do it from your Mom and Dad's garage, because that's not how the music industry works.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
With respect, I have thorough professional experience in this matter. Music publishers don't treat their artists like serfs. When a songwriter decides someone can't use their music, the publishing company will refuse to license. Otherwise the artist will never renew their contract.
for your clients if that is your view on how the business operates.
As zuiko said, you might be able to control how the music is used depending on your contract. A lot of artists have no control whatsoever.
"A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition." -- Rudyard Kipling
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
After all, didn't George W. Bush use The Who, _Won't Get Fooled Again_ in 2000? Hard to get much more rockin' than that.
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty
How's this for a lyric:
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
That should be a McCainism.
"Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return."-Senator McCain
I am RiNO, hear me roar
In delegates too many to ignore
And I won too much to go back and pretend
cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the [Senate] floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
(Kidding, kidding, it was just too easy to pass up. He's not a RiNO.)
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
This is the song that has to be the McCain theme song, unless Babs will sign.
Bomb Bomb Bomb
Bomb Bomb Iran
With Prince doing a backing track.
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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
I thought during the superbowl that this song was a good McCain song for a counter video to that Will.I.Guess.I.Can video. Did I spell that wrong?
absentee
This was his campaign theme in early 2007. It is a great song and fitting, but something tells me they do not want to relive that period.
-Ben
"Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return."-Senator McCain
What a whiney-azz song by a whiney-azz singer. Has Petty ever done a duet with Neil Young? Now there would be a pair.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
Since it's such a short song, I've reproduced the lyrics to The Offspring, _Neocon_ below in its entirety:
We are strong
We are right
We won't be pushed aside
We'll go on
We will fight
We will not compromise
We will never lose to you
We will never lose to you
We will never lose to you
We will never lose to you
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
I was thinking
- Out of touch by Daryl Hall & John Oates
or
- What have I done to deserve this? by The Pet Shop Boys
"Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return."-Senator McCain
for POTUS. You are new here. We are all tired and cranky.
I suggest you read, lurk, and learn before posting. And when you do decide to post, remember my mama's old saying-
If you can't say anything nice, then say nothing at all.
Seriously. People like you are tiresome.
in support of McCain as far as I can tell. But that doesn't mean that all discussions about him are off.
And Redstate would imply a Republican leaning by the site regardless. And Republicans would normally lean conservative (apply a broad brush here).
Erik
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
An excellent song our good libertarian friends at South Park used in Team America: World Police. Of course, the title would run afoul of profanity rules here.
The last word is "Yeah", in case that was ambiguous.
No one of good character leaves behind a wasted life - John McCain
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Obviously, I was joking, but this was my suggestion before:
John S. McCain III
Eric Cantor for VEEP
(Especially if he has to run against Obama):
I'm not sold on McCain, but this speaks to his strength. It's a song that Obama (youth and inexperience) and Clinton (flips and expediency) could never use seriously:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3ed9Iq2oQ
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock
And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams
Twenty years now
Whered they go?
Twenty years
I dont know
Sit and I wonder sometimes
Where theyve gone
And sometimes late at night
When Im bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin a ghostly white
And I recall
Recall
Like a rock. standin arrow straight
Like a rock, chargin from the gate
Like a rock, carryin the weight
Like a rock
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Office Depot and the Bachman Turner Overdrive song. They should be shot for that.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
"this is oooooouuuuurrrrr country" for the 3 millionth time....
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
Give me DVR or give me death! Thankfully I don't have to hear either one anymore :)
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
the DNC convention. It is certainly going to be a spectacle.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
I feel so liberated from having to listen to some nonsense music, it doesn't matter what kind of music it is. I almost, I mean almost feel sorry for you guys. Okay, maybe not. ;)
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Daniel 2:20 And he [God] changeth the times and seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.
I cannot leave the house without an Ipod thingy in my ears at all times with some white noise on it just to drown out the constant barrage of overplayed pop and rock hits from the sixties and seventies. This is the utter crap which the baby boomers have foisted off upon us.
It is truly horrifying, you cannot get away from it. Commercials, malls, restaurants, waiting rooms, everywhere.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
The entrance was almost always to "Gonna Fly Now"
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He's edgy, he should embrace it.
"I'm coming down with the new style and you know it's buck wild.
Click, Click Boom"
Tell me that's can't fit a McCampaign.
absentee
I caught that, but didn't bother correcting you because I just thought you were some out of touch old man.
Phunkjunkeez!
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
Why does he need a theme song?
If he has to have one, I like the Toby Keith song. No way could that apply to a Democrat. It would drive them crazy with jealousy just like the "Mission Accomplished" carrier landing did.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
It's WWE culture, man. Everybody gots to have an entrance theme!
Seriously, though, having some kind of thematic entrance fanfare is effective crowd motivation.
absentee
Toby Keith has been smoking too much weed with Willi Nelson. Since he's got big, he's been hanging with Hollwood types and bashing Bush and the War. I doubt he's comply anyway
If he must have a campaign song, this one might be appropriate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Johnny_Comes_Marching_Home#Lyrics
Lyrics
When Johnny comes marching home again
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home
I don't agree. It's awkward if he tries to be personally hip. Imagine him saying he wants to get his props.
But hip music playing at his rallies? That's just smart. If he plays some swinging Grandpa Simpson music ... well he'd be better off with no music at all.
Rock, grunge or post-grunge. Rap or Hip-hop would be called pandering. He's an edgy guy, edgy music would fit. And he has a tough guy image. I think it would work.
Seriously!
Bah, fine don't listen to me. Somebody should make a youtube montage or something. grumble grumble.
absentee
I have to admit I love "Highway to the Danger Zone", but it would be too easy for the Dems to then say that voting for McCain is a highway to the Danger Zone- not what we want I think.
"Like a Rock" is probably the best- the fact that Chevy trucks have used it so heavily is a plus, not a negative, as it means every one has heard it.
My personal favorite would be "Invincible" by Pat Benatar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJLCypVk1uQ
Especially if McCain makes Iraq the focus of his campaign. Just think of the lyrics:
"We can't afford to be innocent, stand up and face the enemy"
and "What are we running for, we've got the right to be angry"
I also think "Shattered dream you can not justify" describes the liberal ideology pretty well.
A more subtle Pat Benatar song would be "All Fired Up"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHX9pQSXoys
With the reference to learning from mistakes both a reassurance to conservatives and poke at Obama's inexperience.
Rod Stewart's "Faith of the Heart" actually fits McCain rather well- but the main reason to pick it would be to prevent Obama from claiming it.
"Been There, Done That" would be another song to emphasize McCain's experience.
"We Didn't Start the Fire" just to tick off the liberals- any time they object we can just point out that Al Quadea started the War on Terror. (And that LBJ was the one who started the Vietnam War. Democrats hate that fact- most kids coming out of high school today have been taught to think of it as "Nixon's War")
While alot of these are fun I think "Like a Rock", "Show me Don't Tell Me" or "Invincible" are probably the better choices so far.
Pat Benatar?
Cicero. Cicero! Pat Benatar? Pat? As in, Benatar? Pat Benatar?
Cicero.
Cicero.
Seriously, Cicero. For real.
Pat Benatar?
absentee
I'm actually more of a Heart fan myself.
But "Dreamboat Annie" and "Dog & Butterfly" just aren't campaign theme song material.
Granted, she was opening for Styx.
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Would be "Man of His Word" by Bob Carsile of "Butterfly Kisses" fame.
It directly broaches the issue of the Vietnam War and yet suggests why someone who opposed the Vietnam War might vote for a Vietnam Veteran who refuses to repudiate his service to his country.
It's one of my personal favorites, but probably wouldn't fly as a campaign theme.
Surrender by Cheap Trick
But THIS would be sweet:
\,,/,
I suggest "In the Navy," by the Village People. The Navy actually liked the song and wanted to use it in their recruiting campaign--until the Christian social conservatives started complaining about the singers. It's about time they learned when to speak up--and when to shut up.
How about Elvis! This might not go along with "Straight Talk", but it sure would work going against Obama.
I'm not that big a fan of McCain, but he could do a lot worse than this. Incidentally, I would appreciate it if someone might be able to give me a pointer on embed's. This is as close as I can come for now.
[Embed deleted because it's breaking the whole page – NS]
Certainly the right era for McCain--AFRS played it a lot during 1966-67. The Filipinos loved to cover it in live performances. However, the words fit the Democrats better than they fit a conservative's idea of the proper role of government.
McCain gave a pretty good speech tonight after winning Wisconsin. I'm confused by the folks who though Fred Thompson wasn't energetic enough. He would have delivered McCain's lines even better--as in, McCain has the words, but even after all these years he still doesn't know how to deliver them.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
McCain to illegal immigrant: Reach out, I'll be there.
McCain re McCain-Feingold
McCain on retaining judicial filibusters.
But, it's a great song.
Won't back down & Where the stars & stripes & the eagle fly. I also like Neil Diamond's "America." How about "Free for All" by Ted Nugent?
I also think "I Won't Back Down" is just about ideal, but Petty would never allow it.
But... given the Stallone/Rocky theme... why not "Eye of the Tiger"? I bet that Sly could pull some strings...
on aesthetic grounds. Maybe you love it but it kind of repels me whenever it's used for any purpose whatsoever. It won't change my vote but it won't make me very proud, either.
The lyrics fit:
"Stop pretending that you've never been bad
You're never wrong and you've never been dirty
You're such a saint, that ain't the way we see you
You want to rule us with an iron hand
You change the lyrics and become Big Brother ...
"You're playing God from your ivory tower ...
We're not as stupid as you want to make us
You better leave us man
'Cuz you sure can't take us
Nobody better tell you how to live your life
You gotta do it on your own"
(And Alice Cooper is a Republican.)
Sadly, it just isn't all that good of a song to have at rallies.
Rush's "The Trees" fails for the same reason.
This is tough.
Maybe "Sympathy for the Devil", then, if he felt like having some fun. :p
I dunno. I'd have thought something in the genre of arena rock would work best for McCain, but maybe his own tastes are different.
Republicans are always going have a tough time getting great songs to use. Nobody wants to hear the Nuge, most of the artist with good songs aren't going to let a republican use their song. And when I say good songs, I am not talking about Michael Bolton.
I would love to see a politician come out to some Built to Spill.
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