When vice presidential candidate Tim Walz arrived to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, the air was charged. The stadium reverberated with the strong chords of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” as he entered the stage.
The music was not just chosen at random; rather, it was a deliberate and symbolic choice. The fact that Walz had personally asked Neil Young for permission to use the song for his campaign and gotten it made it much more noteworthy.
“Rockin’ in the Free World” by Neil Young is a cultural icon rather than just a song. The song, which was first included on Young’s 1989 album Freedom, is a protest anthem that was inspired by the artist’s dissatisfaction with the Reagan administration.
It criticizes the widespread disenchantment with the American dream at the time that many felt. Like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”, Young’s song is frequently misunderstood as a straightforward patriotic hymn, but it actually has a deeper message that challenges and questions the country’s course.
In an age when music and politics frequently collide, the song’s history adds layers of significance to its employment in political campaigns.
Tim Walz’s cautious effort to obtaining Young’s clearance stands in stark contrast to past instances of the music being utilized without permission.
This is not the first time “Rockin’ in the Free World” has sparked political debate. Donald Trump utilized the song as part of his initial presidential campaign announcement in 2015. However, unlike Walz, Trump was sued because he did not have Neil Young’s consent.
Despite Young’s repeated cease-and-desist efforts, the song was nevertheless played at Trump rallies. In 2020, Young launched a copyright infringement case against Trump for improper usage of his music.
Tim Walz isn’t the only Democratic leader who is embracing the power of music in the 2024 campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris has also chosen a campaign theme song with the creator’s approval. Harris chose Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” which explores themes of empowerment and justice.
However, the harmony between music and politics is not ubiquitous. Earlier today, Beyoncé’s team sent a legal notice to Donald Trump’s campaign after her song “Freedom” was used in a promotional film without her permission.
The video was quickly withdrawn, but it shows the continuous conflict between artists and politicians who use their work without permission.
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