10 Musicians Who’ve Banned Trump From Using Their Music
In August, Steven Tyler sensationally sent Donald Trump a cease and desist letter demanding he stop using Aerosmith songs after the President played “Livin’ on the Edge” and “Dream On” at rallies. Other celebrities have responded to Trump's (mis)use of their music with legal action, angry tweets and the poo emoji.
Vulture has put together a definitive list of people who’ve refused to be on Trump’s soundtrack…
NEIL YOUNG
When Trump played “Rockin’ in the Free World” during his presidential campaign announcement, Neil Young’s label released a statement saying, “Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United State of America.”
R.E.M.
After Trump frequently used “It’s the End of the World” at campaign rallies, the band responded with legal action and a tweet to Republicans: “Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you – you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.”
ADELE
Even though British singer Adele couldn’t vote in the American election, she was a big supporter of Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton. She endorsed Clinton at her American concert, and said, “Don’t vote for him.” Adele also refused to give Trump permission to play her hits “Rolling in the Deep” and “Skyfall.”
ELTON JOHN
Trump is obsessed with Elton John. Like, obsessed. The feeling is not mutual, John publicly denounced the use of his songs “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” at campaign rallies.
THE ROLLING STONES
Mick Jagger feels no Satisfaction when Trump plays his songs. The Stones have released two statements demanding that Trump stops using their music after he kept doing so “without the band’s permission.”
QUEEN
After Trump repeatedly played “We Are the Champions” at appearances, the band threatened legal action, “We are frustrated by the repeated unauthorised use of the song after a previous request to desist, which has obviously been ignored by Mr. Trump and his campaign.”
PHARRELL WILLIAMS
There is nothing Happy about gross misuse of music. When Trump played Pharrell’s hit song just hours after 11 people were murdered at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the musician responded with disgust: “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.”
RIHANNA
A word of advice: don’t piss off Rihanna. When the pop star found out that Trump played “Please Don’t Stop the Music” at a rally, Rih Rih responded swiftly: “Me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up.”
GUNS N’ ROSES
On the same day Rihanna shot the President down, Axl Rose also hit out at Trump for playing “Sweet Child ‘o Mine” in the best way possible, with a poo emoji.
