In 2008, uber-liberal artist Jackson Browne sued John McCain, the Republican National Committee and the Ohio Republican Party for the use of his 1977 song “Running on Empty” in a campaign ad without asking permission. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount and McCain apologized to Browne, though he maintained that he had no knowledge of the ad. However, McCain has also had other big-name artists, such as John Mellencamp, Van Halen, Bon Jovi and the Foo Fighters, balk at his use of their work for campaigns. That’s a lot of rejection for one politician.
Fight Songs: Eleven Great Musician-Politician Campaign Feuds
Jackson Browne vs. John McCain
Full List
feuds
- Tom Morello vs. Paul Ryan
- Silversun Pickups vs. Mitt Romney
- Tom Petty vs. Michele Bachmann
- Rush vs. Rand Paul
- Don Henley vs. Charles DeVore
- David Byrne vs. Charlie Crist
- Heart vs. Sarah Palin
- Jackson Browne vs. John McCain
- The Rolling Stones vs. Angela Merkel
- Tom Petty vs. George W. Bush
- Bruce Springsteen vs. Ronald Reagan