Trump used their songs at rallies, but these musicians fought back

Right as the Olympics were wrapping, Celine's team found out that Trump and JD Vance used her hit song 'My Heart Will Go On' at a campaign rally. They were fuming. The team issued this statement on social media, also wondering why they would be interested in the link to a sinking ship: "In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use… And REALLY, THAT SONG?"

Dion is the latest of a long line of musicians to publicly rebuke the use of their songs in a Trump-related appearance. According to Billboard, performing rights organizations require political campaigns to get licenses to use songs in their catalogs, more if they will be streamed. However, that doesn’t necessarily stop politicians from using their songs without permission…

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Neil Young was one of the first to object in 2015 when Trump used 'Rockin’ in the Free World' during his campaign announcement. Despite his protests, Trump continued to play the song, leading Young to file a copyright infringement lawsuit in 2020, with the suit saying that Young "in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate," according to Hollywood Reporter.

Elton John’s songs 'Rocket Man' and 'Tiny Dancer' were frequently played at Trump rallies. John made it clear that he did not want his music involved in any American political campaigns, stating that his political views were very different from Trump’s. “I'm not a Republican in a million years," John told The Guardian in 2016.

The Rolling Stones repeatedly demanded that Trump stop using their song 'You Can’t Always Get What You Want' at his events. In 2020, they threatened legal action, warning that continued use of their music would breach their licensing agreement. According to Billboard, the band never appeared to have sued, but Trump did stop using the music.

In 2018, Rihanna’s team sent a cease-and-desist notice after her song 'Don’t Stop the Music' was played at a Trump rally. She expressed her disapproval on social media, calling the rallies "tragic" and ensuring her music would not be used for much longer.

Tom Petty’s family issued a cease-and-desist notice after Trump used 'I Won’t Back Down' at a 2020 rally. "Trump was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind," the family wrote in their statement.

In 2016, Adele’s spokesperson announced that Trump did not have permission to use her songs, including 'Rolling in the Deep' and 'Skyfall,' at his rallies. Adele later endorsed Hillary Clinton, explicitly stating her disapproval of Trump.

Pharrell Williams had his lawyer send a cease-and-desist notice after Trump played his hit 'Happy' at a rally just hours after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018. The notice stated that there was nothing "happy" about the tragedy and that Trump was never granted permission to use the song.

John Fogerty, the frontman for CCR, issued a cease-and-desist order in 2020 after Trump played 'Fortunate Son' at his rallies. Fogerty, a Vietnam War veteran, stated that Trump’s use of the song was inappropriate since people like Trump “were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege."

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Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler sent multiple cease-and-desist notices to Trump, starting in 2015, after his songs 'Dream On' and 'Livin’ on the Edge' were played at rallies. Tyler clarified that his objection was not about political affiliation but about unauthorized use of his music.

When Trump played The Smiths’ song 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want' at a rally in 2023, guitarist Johnny Marr quickly voiced his displeasure. Marr posted on X, expressing shock and ordering Trump to "shut right down" the use of the song. “I never in a million years would've thought this could come to pass,” he added.

Phil Collins issued a cease-and-desist notice to Trump’s campaign in 2020 after his song 'In the Air Tonight' was played at a rally in Iowa. Collins’ lawyer noted that the song’s association with the COVID-19 pandemic made it worse. "Mr. Collins has serious concerns that the manner in which the Trump campaign has used 'In the Air Tonight' has caused, and will cause, damage to Mr. Collins' reputation and popularity with the public,” the lawyers said, according to TMZ.

R.E.M. took action in 2016 after learning that Trump was using their hit 'It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' at his rallies. The band issued a cease-and-desist notice and urged the public to focus on the bigger political picture, rather than Trump’s use of their music.

In 2018, Axl Rose publicly condemned Trump’s use of the Guns N' Roses classic 'Sweet Child O’ Mine' at rallies. Rose said on X that the band had formally requested Trump stop using their music, highlighting the campaign’s exploitation of licensing loopholes without the band’s consent.

Queen’s iconic song 'We Are the Champions' was used at the 2016 Republican National Convention, leading guitarist Brian May to issue a statement saying permission was "neither sought nor given." The band reiterated their disapproval, emphasizing their policy against using their music in political campaigns.

At the 2016 Republican National Convention, Trump’s campaign played Earth, Wind & Fire’s hit 'September' without the band’s permission. The group voiced their objection on social media, echoing a similar complaint from Queen, whose song had also been used at the same event.

The family of Luciano Pavarotti requested in 2016 that Trump cease using Pavarotti’s rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' at his events. They argued that the late tenor’s values of brotherhood and solidarity were "entirely incompatible" with Trump’s political views.

In 2020, the Cohen estate issued a statement against Trump using the song 'Hallelujah' at the Republican National Convention. The said they were exploring legal options, but, according to Rolling Stone, would have considered approving the song 'You Want it Darker.'

Prince’s family asked Trump to stop using 'Purple Rain' at his 2018 rallies. The Prince Estate released a statement clarifying that neither Trump nor the White House had permission to use the song.

Initially, Dee Snider allowed Trump to use 'We’re Not Gonna Take It.’ However, as Trump’s political views became more extreme, Snider asked Trump to stop using the song. “He was respectful enough to call me and say, 'How do you feel about me using this?' And I've gotta be — as a friend — respectful enough to call him and say, 'Listen, man, this has gotten wildly out of control, and I really have a problem with it.' It's really gotten ugly,” he told Loudwire.

In 2016, the Beatles track 'Here Comes the Sun,' which Harrison wrote, was played during the Republican National Convention. Members of his estate condemned it on X, adding: "If it had been Beware of Darkness, then we MAY have approved it! #TrumpYourself."

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