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Queen vs the RNC
Jul. 19th, 2016 05:15 pm[crossposted from Tumblr]
As a massive Queen fan who also despises the GOP, today has certainly been… something.
So, Donald Trump used “We Are the Champions” in June to celebrate his primary victories, to the horror of Brian May, who said on his website:
And thennnnn it was used at the RNC last night to introduce Melania Trump, and the official Queen twitter responded immediately:
and Sony Music has now issued an official statement:
and current frontman Adam Lambert pointed out the “wtf???” of the GOP, who have actively pursued anti-LGBT policies for decades, using a song written and sung by a man who described himself as “gay as a daffodil.”
Technically, the RNC probably paid BMI for the rights and are legally in the clear. But flouting the express wishes of the group whose music you’re using is certainly a douche move. And particularly when, in the process of pushing a racist, homophobic, hypernativist agenda, you’re exploiting the fame of the the song’s writer and lead singer—a man who was, among many other things, a queer, foreign immigrant of colour who might very well be alive today if not for the virulently homophobic indifference to AIDS victims in which the GOP participated.
As a massive Queen fan who also despises the GOP, today has certainly been… something.
So, Donald Trump used “We Are the Champions” in June to celebrate his primary victories, to the horror of Brian May, who said on his website:
I’ve had an avalanche of complaints – some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page – about Donald Trump using our ‘We Are The Champions’ track as his 'theme’ song on USA TV. This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy. […W]e certainly have not approved this use of WATC - I will make sure we take what steps we can to dissociate ourselves from Donald Trump’s unsavoury campaign.
And thennnnn it was used at the RNC last night to introduce Melania Trump, and the official Queen twitter responded immediately:
An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes - Queen
and Sony Music has now issued an official statement:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing has never been asked by Mr. Trump, the Trump campaign or the Trump Organization for permission to use “We are the Champions” by Queen. On behalf of the band, we are frustrated by the repeated unauthorized use of the song after a previous request to desist, which has obviously been ignored by Mr. Trump and his campaign.
Queen does not want its music associated with any mainstream or political debate in any country. Nor does Queen want “We are the Champions” to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party. We trust, hope and expect that Mr. Trump and his campaign will respect these wishes moving forward.
Queen does not want its music associated with any mainstream or political debate in any country. Nor does Queen want “We are the Champions” to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party. We trust, hope and expect that Mr. Trump and his campaign will respect these wishes moving forward.
and current frontman Adam Lambert pointed out the “wtf???” of the GOP, who have actively pursued anti-LGBT policies for decades, using a song written and sung by a man who described himself as “gay as a daffodil.”
Technically, the RNC probably paid BMI for the rights and are legally in the clear. But flouting the express wishes of the group whose music you’re using is certainly a douche move. And particularly when, in the process of pushing a racist, homophobic, hypernativist agenda, you’re exploiting the fame of the the song’s writer and lead singer—a man who was, among many other things, a queer, foreign immigrant of colour who might very well be alive today if not for the virulently homophobic indifference to AIDS victims in which the GOP participated.
