R.E.M. Tells Donald Trump And Other Politicians To ‘Go F*ck Yourselves’ For Using Their Tunes

On Wednesday, one of the writers of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” went on CNN to complain about the use of their song at a rally (held by Mike Huckabee) for Kim Davis’ release from jail on Tuesday. The main objective by Survivor member/co-writer Jim Peterik was that the song was unauthorized for use in this particular political context.

Also on Wednesday, Donald Trump protested the Iran nuclear deal at a rally (which also included fellow Republican GOP nominee Ted Cruz). In Trump’s speech, he said many outrageous things, but this story is about Trump’s choice of introduction music. He used R.E.M.’s “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It,” and the band did not appreciate the (also unauthorized) association. Michael Stipe had a few words of response for Trump and any other politicians who used their songs for their own agendas. Stipe, who does not tweet, sent his message via R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills:

This little interaction (which Mills retweeted) is worth reading in detail as well.

Just for contextual sake, this isn’t the first (nor will it be the last) time political candidates have offended musicians though unauthorized music use. In 2012, Newt Gingrich was actually sued by Survivor for his use of “Eye of the Tiger.” In 2011, both Tom Petty and Katrina and the Waves called out Michelle Bachmann for her use of “American Girl” and “Walking On Sunshine,” respectively. And in 2008, Heart asked Sarah Palin to stop playing “Barracuda” as her Vice Presidential theme.

(Via Rolling Stone)