Stacked Actors — Foo Fighters
#365Songs: September 2
As I’ve said, artists have the right to distance themselves from political candidates. For many its a matter of honor — as has been detailed with the last three artists and estates that have taken a public stand against Trumpism.
Often, however, labels will license songs for public consumption without the artist’s consent. And so goes the report out of the Foo Fighters camp after TFG used “My Hero” at a rally to introduce the support of RFK, Jr.
I can’t believe I’ve just typed that sentence.
Donald Trump played “My Hero” and brought conspiracy nut and anti-vaxx idiot, RFK, Jr. on stage to support him. I’m reminded of John Kennedy Toole’s novel Confederacy of Dunces and the Jonathan Swift quote that inspired him.
“When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.”
In this context, we’ll just substitute “decency” or “reason” for “genius.”
But as I was saying, Dave Grohl seemingly had no knowledge of the song’s use until the Interwebs brought it to his attention. Trump’s representatives immediately cited their legal use of the song though BMI’s Songview service. The Foo Fighters responded: “The Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it.” And added for good measure that “appropriate actions were being taken.”
So what then are these appropriate actions?
As I said, there are legal protections for artists to protect their image. Even with a song license, a campaign could be in violation of an artist’s publicity rights for a “false endorsement.” The forthcoming cease and desist should be enough to stop “My Hero” from being played in support of Donald Trump.
If it isn’t? Well, Dave and the Foo Fighters pledged to donate any royalties accumulated by way of Trump’s use of the song to the Harris/Walz campaign. Every time he trots it out, he could be contributing directly to his political opposition. Well played.
In celebration of this slap of the hand, I’m picking a Foo Fighters song today — something that never, ever, ever, ever, ever would have happened on a normal #365Songs day.
But there is one song. Spoiler alert: it’s not “My Hero” because that song sucks. But I’ll happily add that other song, the one Foo Fighter track I do like to the list. It’s the song that tricked me into thinking I might be a Foo Fighters fan back in 1999.
“Stacked Actors” feels plucked from the late 1970s rock scene and injected into the front end of There Is Nothing Left to Lose. Shades of Deep Purple and a twinkle of the Doors. A total Can vibe. I can dig it. And I dig it just a little bit more today.
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Start following the #365Songs playlist today, and listen to each new song with each new article!
