Donald Trump claims he represents law and order in the United States. That claim, of course, is as bogus as his claim that he founded and ran a university. Trump revels in breaking the law. The latest example of that is his campaign's use of Leonard Cohen's song "Hallelujah" at the Republican convention. David Friend reports that:
Michelle Rice, a lawyer for Cohen's estate, says the Republican party made a "rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit" the Montreal poet laureate's iconic song after being explicitly told they didn't have the blessing of the rights holders.
"We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC's use request," Rice said on behalf of the estate.
"We are exploring our legal options."
A representative for Cohen's publishing company, Sony/TV Music Publishing, issued a statement saying it too had declined permission to use the song at the RNC.
A recording of the track, performed by singer Tori Kelly, played over the fireworks display after U.S. President Donald Trump's acceptance speech for the Republican nomination. American tenor Christopher Macchio sang an operatic version live from the White House shortly afterward.
Trump appears to have an affinity for the work of Canadian musicians. But they have no affinity for him:
Neil Young sued Trump's campaign earlier this month after numerous requests to stop playing his songs at rallies were ignored, while The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty's estate are among others who have filed cease and desist orders for unauthorized use of their music.
However, Cohen's estate suggested that they might allow Trump to use another of Cohen's songs: "You Want It Darker." I suspect, even if that happened -- and you listened carefully -- you would hear a gravelly wail from Cohen's grave on the northern slope of Mount Royal.
Image: National Newswatch
4 comments:
Didn't Stockwell Day rip Great Big Sea off? Right wingers seems to be another way to say thieves.
The justification seems to be, rumley, if you can sing it -- however imperfectly -- it's yours.
People can only take so much Ted Nugent, Kid Rock and Kanye. Trump has no choice but to "borrow" elsewhere. That said, Cohen's family offering "You Want It Darker" is some first-class trolling.
Dubya ran into the same problem when he played Neil's "Rockin' in the Free World" at his events. Not sure why Dubya would pick that song - the lyrics savage his dad's "Thousand Points of Light" speech. I guess right-wingers hear the refrain and figure it's a "USA No. 1" kind of song. They make the same mistake with Springsteen's "Born in the USA." Weird.
Cap
It appears they hear the music and ignore the lyrics, Cap.
Post a Comment