Don't Use My Song! / myLot

United States

September 10, 2015 1:37am CST

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act R.E.M. is the latest in a series of acts who have vocally protested politicians using their songs in campaign appearances. They issued a statement asking Donald Trump to not use "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" at his appearances. I wonder if all of these people who've protested the use of their songs have sent the royalty checks back? You see, when a song is used publicly, there are royalties paid on it. If you walk into a club or a bar and see a sticker that says ASCAP and/or BMI that means that club/bar pays those music licensing companies to ensure that the songwriter gets paid. Songwriters are also paid every time a song is played...be it on TV, on the radio, or in public events such as political rallies. So, R.E.M. got a royalty check for the use of their song. But did they keep it?

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3 responses

AnjaP

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Sep 15

I am so sick and tired of these musicians whining about who bought the rights to use their songs. But, you know, maybe it's time to stop giving them money for their songs if the candidates should know that they have political leanings in an opposite direction. Why give them an opportunity to cause bad publicity for your campaign and give your opponents something to sneer at you over? Just go find some musical artists who agree with your politics. When a conservative uses a song from a liberal artist, it just creates a media firestorm and gives them an opportunity to insult you.

1 person likes this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (86585)

• United States

11 Sep 15

I totally concur! You don't see Hillary taking the stage to a Ted Nugent song! Are there no Charlie Daniels songs that Donald Trump could use? How about asking Charlie Daniels to write a song specifically for your candidacy?

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

12 Nov 19

And R.E.M. would expressed being thrilled if Barack Obama had used that song.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502208)

• Italy

10 Sep 15

I know the rules of music royalties. Even if you play a song in a night club, or a restaurant you have to pay the royalties. At least, those are the rules in my country.

1 person likes this