10 Musicians & Singers Who Have Refused To Let Politicians Use Their Songs

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When running for political office, a candidate needs many things. One of these is a cool rallying song played to pump up an audience at conventions and speaking engagements. It helps tell their message and get everyone hyped.

All politicians do this, but sometimes the artists behind the jams aren't so happy about it. Many have requested their songs not be used in this manner. Some have even taken legal action to ensure it. Here are 10 artists who said no to politicians using their music.

Bruce Springsteen

If you don't really pay attention to the lyrics, "Born in the U.S.A." could be perceived as a patriotic jam. In reality, it is actually criticizing this country's treatment of veterans. Bruce Springsteen asked Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, and Pat Buchanan to stop using it during their respective campaigns. The boss has spoken.

Sam & Dave

In 1996, Republican Bob Dole challenged Democratic incumbent President Bill Clinton. Perhaps in an attempt to appear hip, Dole used Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" to connect with the voters. It seems an old choice for the senator, but it happened. Sam Moore and Dave Prater were not pleased and asked him to stop using it.

In 2008, the R&B duo didn't allow Barack Obama to use "Hold On, I’m Coming." The family of Isaac Hayes, who cowrote the song, also asked Donald Trump to stop using the track and has threatened legal action.

Beyoncé

In the 2024 presidential election, Beyoncé threatened to send Donald Trump a cease-and-desist letter. This was a result of Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung's post on X that used her song “Freedom.” The singer has no issue with his opponent Vice President Kamala Harris using it, though. The track is her unofficial campaign song.

Tom Petty

George W. Bush also struggled to find the perfect campaign song. He tried Tom Petty's "I Won’t Back Down," but the singer had an issue with him doing so. Bush also was turned down by John Mellencamp and Sting. Tom also said no to Michele Bachmann, who tried on "American Girl" for size in 2012 when she ran for the Republican nomination for president.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler sent Trump an official a cease and desist letter in 2018. The then-candidate was using Aerosmith’s "Livin’ on the Edge." Ironically, Steven is a registered Republican but stated that this had nothing to do with party affiliation. This was the third time the band had sent Trump such a letter.

"My music is for causes not political campaigns or rallies," Tyler explained in a statement. "Protecting copyright and songwriters is what I’ve been fighting for even before this current administration took office. This is one of the reasons why [Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry] and I have been pushing the Senate to pass the Music Modernization Act. NO is a complete sentence."

Bobby McFerrin

The "Don’t Worry, Be Happy" singer was anything but when George H.W. Bush used his jam in 1988 while he was running for president. The older Bush was trying to get the country to be more optimistic. McFerrin asked him to knock it off.

Pharrell Williams

Speaking of happiness, Pharrell Williams' 2013 song deals with the emotion of joy as well. In 2018 the singer sent a cease-and-desist to Trump. He wasn't pleased the then-candidate used his song "Happy" at a rally after a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. He had his lawyer, Howard King, take care of business.

"On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist,’ you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana," King wrote. “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose. Demand is hereby made that you cease and desist from any further unauthorized use of Pharrell Williams’ music.”

ABBA

Trump and J.D. Vance appear to be big ABBA fans. They have used many of the band's hits such as “The Winner Takes It All,” “Dancing Queen” and “Money, Money, Money.” The Swedish pop group, made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, was not pleased.

When this quartet found out their music was being used by the 2024 Republican presidential ticket, they asked them to stop. Their label, Universal Music, agreed and issued a statement to Reuters. “Together with the members of ABBA, we have discovered that videos have been released where ABBA's music has been used at Trump events, and we have therefore requested that such use be immediately removed and taken down," it read.

John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp has turned down several politicians. In 1984, Ronald Reagan wanted to use "Pink Houses" for his presidential campaign That was a no. George W. Bush wanted to use "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." in 2000 for his campaign but was denied. Can you guess what Mellencamp said to John McCain in 2008?

Céline Dion

In August of 2024, Céline Dion found out Trump was using "My Heart Will Go On." She made sure to distance herself from his campaign on X.

"Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing 'My Heart Will Go On' at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana," a statement explained. "In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use."