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So Ann and Nancy Wilson haven’t really been too pleased that the folks in charge of the music at the Republican National Convention have decided to turn their 1977 song (and current plastic-guitar staple) “Barracuda” into a rallying cry for GOP vice-presidential nominee/unavoidable topic of Internet discussion/overly self-impressed speechifier Sarah Palin, who was affectionately (?) called Barracuda during her high-school days. (Earlier today, they released a statement saying that they’d sent the GOP a cease-and-desist notice telling them to stop playing the damn thing. Of course, that didn’t stop the Republicans, who played the song again after John McCain accepted his party’s Presidential nomination tonight–and this decision fired up Nancy Wilson so much, she rang up Entertainment Weekly’s Whitney Pastorek to say, “I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented… I feel completely fucked over.” Keep in mind, you’re talking about a song that’s been covered by Fergie here, so you know that it takes a lot to offend!
“Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.”
Well, I’d argue that “irony” in campaign songs a concept that stretches across the aisle this year, but the whole anti-corporate aspect of “Barracuda” might just take this to the next level. Sadly, trying to find a tribute video to the song that would wash away the association for the Wilson sisters resulted in me finding a bunch of Palin-related clips and not much else, although Rasputina’s take on the track is an OK effort that errs just a bit too much on this side of musical-theateriness.
Exclusive: Heart’s Nancy Wilson responds to McCain campaign’s repeated use of “Barracuda” [EW]
If the real thing don’t do the trick
You better make up something quick
Isn’t the song appropriate?
Curious: Has anyone sent a cease and desist to the Democrats? EVER?
Just wondering (and stifling an evil giggle).
@ObtuseIntolerant: Has anyone sent a cease and desist to the Democrats?
Yes. The American public, and quite often.
/A Democrat annoyed by the party’s consistent inability to wage a winning campaign
that is, like, totally HEARTLESS . . . whaddya expect, though, when the politicos roll out their predictable DOG AND BUTTERFLY show . . . Led Zeppelin felt that “Barracuda” was a CHEAP FOREIGN KNOCKOFF of “Achilles Last Stand” . . . there’s a rumor afoot that Sarah Palin roused her Iditarod sled dog team by dangling the cover of BEBE LE STRANGE before them from a stick (huskies hustle after poodles)
If the Republicans are going to lay claim to Heart then I expect their kindred Canadian spirits, the Conservatives, to break out Magic Man every time Stephen Harper enters the room. And then I want Ann and Nancy to run out and clothesline everyone.