Barracuda & the RNC

[jenk]

The RNC has used Heart's song "Barracuda" in conjunction with Sarah Palin's speech on national TV. Heart is not happy about this, and has stated so on their website.

Last night they used it again, after McCain's speech, as the balloons fell. The Slog has Nancy & Ann Wilson's updated statement:

“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.”

Gee...wonder if pointing out what the song is actually about, and comparing the RNC to the music business, will make the RNC want to use it more?

(For the curious, here are the lyrics, copied from the Heart website...

So this ain't the end
I saw you again today
Had to turn my heart away
You smiled like the Sun
Kisses for everyone
And tales - it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
Bet you gonna ambush me
You'd have me down on my knees
Wouldn't you, Barracuda?

Back over
Time when we were all
Trying for free
Met up with porpoise and me
No right no wrong your selling a
Song - A name whisper game.
If the real thing don't do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn it out to the wick
Aren't you, Barracuda?

"Sell me sell you" the porpoise said
Dive down deep to save my head
You...I think you got the blues too.
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
Made for the western pools - silly fools!

Edited to add: More info on performance licenses.