5 songs you probably didn't know made waves during an election campaign
Politicians like to use hit pop and rock songs as their election campaign anthems. Sometimes, however, they neglect a tiny detail: to get the artists' authorization.
Rolling Stones: Angie
Angela Merkel could use a bit of rock'n'roll, her Christian Democrats (CDU) must have thought back in 2005, and chose "Angie" by the Rolling Stones as a soundtrack for the parliamentary election campaign, ignoring the line that went "ain't it time we said goodbye." While the band wasn't amused, they took no steps to stop her.
U2: Beautiful Day
More than once, U2 have proven their social and political commitment, and lead singer Bono isn't stingy with political remarks either. The band was anything but happy when Tony Blair's Labor Party used one of their songs during the 2005 parliamentary election campaign. But grudgingly, they let the British prime minister get away with it.
MGMT: Kids
Nicolas Sarkozy was less lucky in 2009 when he used the song "Kids" by the US band MGMT during his campaign. The French President hadn't asked for the band's permission, but he offered them symbolic compensation to the tune of 1.25 euros ($1.41). MGMT sued, won and received more than 30,000 euros in compensation.
Andrea Vantini: Meno male che Silvio c'e
Forget hit songs about other people: Silvio Berlusconi campaigned to the tune of a sappy Italian election soundtrack that was exclusively about himself. "Thank God for Silvio" was the Italian Prime Minister's anthem in the 2008 parliamentary polls. Most Italians can still sing the song even today.
Adele: Rolling in the Deep
Donald Trump is an Adele fan. Last year, he visited the pop diva's sold-out concert in New York. Trump likes to warm the crowds at election campaign events with her hit "Rolling in the Deep." Adele hasn't given him permission, but that hasn't stopped him. Trump continues to play her James Bond movie hit , "Skyfall," to the crowds at rallies before he lands in his helicopter.