I suppose I can understand why musicians and songwriters wouldn't want their work being used without permission on the campaign trail. It gives some a sense that the band or singer has endorsed the particular candidate. John Mellencamp for one seems to have to tell some Republican to stop playing his stuff at campaign events almost every election season.

The latest example comes from chief songwriter and founder of Boston, Tom Scholz, who has asked Mike Huckabee to stop playing -- literally, playing -- the song "More Than a Feeling."

"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and will all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I've been ripped off, dude!"

To which Fred Bramante, who was chairman of Huckabee's New Hampshire campaign, replied:

"Governor Huckabee plays 'Sweet Home Alabama.' Does that mean Lynard Skynard is endorsing him? He plays 'Louie Louie.' Does that mean The Kingsmen are endorsing him? To me, it's ridiculous," he said. "Never once has he said, 'The band Boston endorses me.' "

Politicians should certainly cease and desist if the band or musician in question has a problem. But then the band or musician should also not be so vain as to set a political litmus test for when and where their work is played. After all, it's just a song.

UPDATE: A few readers have written in to point out that outside of country there just aren't that many conservative and/or Republican rock stars. (With the major exception of Ted Nugent -- though I don't think Huckabee will be playing "Cat Scratch Fever" any time soon.) This is true of course, but I guess the point of my post is that not everything needs to be political. A lot of Republicans love John Mellencamp and his middle-American, patriotic songs (although not all are as patriotic as the inspiring chorus might imply.) They know Mellencamp is a Democrat; they know Springsteen is a Democrat; they know Bono would be a Democrat; and yet something in their songs seems universally hopeful and American.

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