theconversation.com: A 74-year-old man dancing half-heartedly and without much rhythm to the Village People’s YMCA while a host of other people complain about the playlist – it might conjure up an image of the tail end of a wedding reception. In fact, it’s yet another facet of the increasingly surreal popular cultural context of the 2020 US election. YMCA has been on Donald Trump’s playlist at rallies for well over a year, and the Village People are on a long list of artists who – as in 2016 – have asked the president’s campaign to stop using their music.
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As today is Election day, I really didn’t want to read any articles on here about the election or politics but here we are. I knew that there were some artists that told Trump he couldn’t use their music at his rallies but besides that, I had never really thought about the music being used by candidates. I am not surprised that Trump hasn’t been listening to the cease and desist letters that have been sent about the music, but I am questioning why the campaign people are still allowing that happen. One would think that they wouldn’t want any more bad press than they already have, but I guess not. This article points out the differences in the demographics of the artists that Trump and Biden have decided to play and I found that really interesting and it was enlightening to see how strategic Biden has been with his music choice by playing music from different race artists and by playing a mix of modern pop music as well as older music. He really is trying to appeal to everyone, meanwhile Trump is just playing over patriotic music.
Music is powerful. It’s a way to encourage people to connect with one another. It’s a way to liven spirits. It’s a way to unite. And because of these reasons, and so many more, I am not surprised that candidates have used music in their campaigns and it has become something worth noting. What is really shocking with all of this, is that people have asked Trump to not use their music, and I think this is rooted in the power of music which I had mentioned before. An artist doesn’t want their music to be associated with a campaign that doesn’t stand for things they believe in, especially in a divisive political climate like the one we are in today. Sure it could give them more circulation, but for hits that are older and have circulated the radio numerous times, they are not as worried about their finances as they are about their reputation. Because of this, I can see why Biden is having a less challenging time with rights and music. The Biden Harris campaign is achieving the unity that the Trump Pence campaign wants to achieve with their music choice. If only politics were really that simple…
As I write this, Former Vice President Biden has been declared President Elect, which I find to be promising. Music is definitely an underrated part of the campaign process, and any experience in general. Those who plan it often give or should put a lot of thought into it, even if the audience members do not fully comprehend the effect it can have on them. The fact that Trump has often gotten away with playing the music of artists like The Village People at his rallies and events after explicitly being asked to stop is incomprehensible. While I understand his position and title, they should not be used as excuses. I do understand my bias as well, but I do believe that the wishes of the artists should be respected, especially when the current government is not known for being respectful. It is easy for me to understand why the artists would not want campaigns they fundamentally disagree with using their music to advance the campaign.
-Ariel Bernhard
It is certainly interesting to see Trump’s campaign repeatedly use YMCA, a song with strong ties to the LGBT community. This article was particularly relevant to me because Village People recently collaborated with my favorite music artist, a nonbinary singer named Dorian Electra, to create the song My Agenda, which also has heavy LGBTQ associations. Considering how Trump’s presidency has treated trans and LGBTQ people, I find it confusing to say the least that they repeatedly use music from a band with such strong ties to the LGBTQ community. The copyright dilemma is a whole other issue, and just another example of how Trump believes he is above the law, which is about as un-American as you can get. What a breath of fresh air to have Biden in office in comparison! I am interested to see the next four unfold. The fact that people were parading in the streets out of celebration is indicative enough.
I can’t even imagine how angry I would be if my art was connected to someone who I did not support without my permission. That’s not fair how he can do whatever he wants and not deal with any consequences. It sucks that this is seen as such a small issue because he has done so many terrible things this can’t even compare. But when music is played over and over again at a rally or in a commercial people will start to make a connection with that song and Trump for example. That’s awful because some people don’t want their music to reflect and feed into a message of hate and cult mentality. I’m sure there are Trump supporting musicians who would love and approve of Trump using their work. It’s not okay to ignore and disrespect the artists who say it’s not okay.
I think this is a really strong point on why artists should be able to own their art. It is exceptionally important that an artist has authority over who is using their work, and particularly in what context, and I think this article speaks to why that is so critical. I have long been fascinated behind the connection between music and a politician and campaigning. From FDR’s use of Happy Days Are Here Again to Obama’s use of will.i.am’s Yes We Can (which was also his slogan), the song that a presidential candidate associates themselves with is hugely impactful and often very memorable. For Trump to continually use songs that the artist is telling him he can not use goes to show why it is so critical that artists have autonomy over their work.
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