Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(63,544 posts)
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 05:21 PM Oct 2024

'Height of blasphemy': Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen estate oppose Trump use of Hallelujah

‘Height of blasphemy’: Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen estate oppose Trump use of Hallelujah (The Guardian)

Classic ballad was played during bizarre campaign event in which Trump told audience: ‘Let’s just listen to music’

The estate of Leonard Cohen has issued a cease and desist order to Donald Trump, after a recording of Rufus Wainwright singing Cohen’s song Hallelujah was played at a bizarre campaign event.

Wainwright has also condemned Trump’s use of the song at the town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania. The singer characterised Hallelujah as “an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth. I’ve been supremely honoured over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy. Of course, I in no way condone this and was mortified, but the good in me hopes that perhaps in inhabiting and really listening to the lyrics of Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump just might experience a hint of remorse over what he’s caused. I’m not holding my breath.”

The song was one of a number Trump played during a Q&A session in Oaks, where numerous audience members needed medical attention amid high temperatures. ...


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/15/height-of-blasphemy-rufus-wainwright-and-leonard-cohen-estate-oppose-trump-use-of-hallelujah
30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'Height of blasphemy': Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen estate oppose Trump use of Hallelujah (Original Post) Eugene Oct 2024 OP
Sinead O'Connor Zambero Oct 2024 #1
I'm sure she's rolling over in her grave, yes. al bupp Oct 2024 #4
Didn"t Prince write that song? debm55 Oct 2024 #30
The question is, how many artists/estates have actually told BMI and ASCAP to remove LauraInLA Oct 2024 #2
Figued this was Coming! TSF Assholes use all the Democracy Cha Oct 2024 #3
Especially the dead. ... littlemissmartypants Oct 2024 #5
Yeah, Thank Goodness for the Artists' Estates. Cha Oct 2024 #6
Yes, Cha. ... littlemissmartypants Oct 2024 #8
It's sad they have to deal with this Cha Oct 2024 #12
That's because theirs sound like crap. ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 2024 #10
+33. Harker Oct 2024 #14
I hate his song with a passion ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 2024 #17
Mike Love? ShazzieB Oct 2024 #19
Nope. I'm referring to Brian's cousin ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 2024 #23
We're talking about the same guy! 😁 ShazzieB Oct 2024 #24
It's just another troll. Remember that Hallelujah was the song Kate McKinnon sang as Hillary Prairie Gates Oct 2024 #7
Yes! ShazzieB Oct 2024 #20
Good malaise Oct 2024 #9
There is no way in hell he's actually listened to Cohen's lyrics. maxsolomon Oct 2024 #11
American Grandstand..all that was missing BattleRow Oct 2024 #13
The MORAL of the story... Montauk6 Oct 2024 #15
I posted this last night Wiz Imp Oct 2024 #16
See Wikipedia page "Musicians who oppose Donald Trump's use of their music" Ramsey Barner Oct 2024 #18
Thanks! ShazzieB Oct 2024 #21
This message was self-deleted by its author Wiz Imp Oct 2024 #22
More appropriate songs Marthe48 Oct 2024 #25
Riders of the Storm dweller Oct 2024 #26
Man Smart, Woman Smarter by Belafonte fargone Oct 2024 #27
Ha! tanyev Oct 2024 #29
They're going to have to file a lawsuit. They won't stop otherwise. Liberal In Texas Oct 2024 #28

Zambero

(9,817 posts)
1. Sinead O'Connor
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 05:27 PM
Oct 2024

might not have been too thrilled that one of her songs was used at this "Q&A session".

LauraInLA

(1,760 posts)
2. The question is, how many artists/estates have actually told BMI and ASCAP to remove
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 05:56 PM
Oct 2024

a song from a campaign's Political Entities License? I believe that’s the only way to stop it, but then it seems like no political campaigns could use the song in question.

littlemissmartypants

(26,780 posts)
5. Especially the dead. ...
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:21 PM
Oct 2024

I wouldn't be surprised if his campaign team doesn't sit at the planning meetings trying to think up dead musicians who they think won't be able to sue. That's how twisted plus stupid they are.

Cha

(308,345 posts)
12. It's sad they have to deal with this
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:53 PM
Oct 2024

Against such an Ugly Unworthy Fascist Entity . But Worth the Fight to get them to STOP.



ArkansasDemocrat1

(3,213 posts)
10. That's because theirs sound like crap.
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:41 PM
Oct 2024

Kid Rock sounds like some band at a bar that'd last about half a beer before I'd decide to leave. Ted Nugent has one hit from 50 years ago. Mike Love sucks.

No wonder they steal the good sounding stuff. It would be like hearing the protestant carols and music compared to the oh so tedious catholic carols and music I was made to listen to.

ShazzieB

(19,687 posts)
24. We're talking about the same guy! 😁
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 10:26 PM
Oct 2024

Mike Love, cousin of Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, was one of the founding members of the Beach Boys. He's been one of the band's vocalists and lyricists for their entire career, serving as their frontman for live performances and contributing lyrics to many of their hit songs.

His politics have been problematic for a long time, but I still enjoy his work with the Beach Boys, in spite of that.

Prairie Gates

(4,370 posts)
7. It's just another troll. Remember that Hallelujah was the song Kate McKinnon sang as Hillary
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:33 PM
Oct 2024

On SNL the Saturday after Trump won in 2016.

Sounds like the work of uber-troll and fucking scumbag Steven Cheung.

ShazzieB

(19,687 posts)
20. Yes!
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 08:10 PM
Oct 2024

She was magnificent and captured how we were all feeling perfectly, imo.

TSF using that song in any form or version is sacrilege, imo.

maxsolomon

(36,005 posts)
11. There is no way in hell he's actually listened to Cohen's lyrics.
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:47 PM
Oct 2024

He's incapable of understanding poetry.

Maybe this line, however:

But you don't really care for music, do you?

BattleRow

(1,447 posts)
13. American Grandstand..all that was missing
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 06:55 PM
Oct 2024

was some acrobats and a handstand.
More bread and circuses to follow.

Montauk6

(8,926 posts)
15. The MORAL of the story...
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 07:02 PM
Oct 2024

The Right needs the Left more than the other way around.

With all the good, moral, Gawd-fearin' CONSERVATIVE artists out there, why OH WHY do they continue to mooch off that heathen, devilish, ungodly Rock and Pop? Just blast Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, Jimmy Swaggart, Waka Flocka, Ted Nugent, and Travis Tritt...that'll get the lemmings dancing in their seats.

Wiz Imp

(4,094 posts)
16. I posted this last night
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 07:08 PM
Oct 2024

He's been asked to stop playing most of these songs or artists in the past but won't stop

Guns n Roses - Can't find a specific reference to November Rain but they have tried to get him to stop using other songs

In November 2018, after Trump played the band's hit song "Sweet Child o' Mine" during an event, Axl Rose said that he and his band had formally requested that Trump not use their music at his events, and posted on X that "the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues' blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters' consent."

In May 2020, Axl Rose opposed the use of the Guns N' Roses cover of the Paul McCartney and Wings song "Live and Let Die" in a meatpacking plant where Trump refused to take the COVID-19 pandemic precaution of wearing a mask. In response, Rose created shirts with the phrase "Live N’ Let Die With COVID 45", with all proceeds going to the MusiCares charity

Hallelujah - On August 28, 2020, Leonard Cohen's estate issued a statement criticizing Trump's unauthorized use of Cohen's "Hallelujah" at the Republican National Convention. They said they specifically rejected permission for its use, (Now here he played a cover version but Cohen's estate still controls the rights) - this was before the cease and desist ordered today

Luciano Pavarotti He played Pavarotti's version of Ave Maria
Family members of Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti protested the use of his recording of "Nessun Dorma" (which ends with the line "Vincerò! Vincerò!" – "I will win! I will win!&quot at Trump's rallies. Pavarotti's widow and three daughters objected, stating that Trump's views on immigration were incompatible with Pavarotti's efforts as United Nations Messenger of Peace, which had raised large amounts of money for the support of immigrants and refugees.

Nothing Compares to You
The estate of Sinéad O'Connor has asked Donald Trump to stop using her music at his political rallies.

YMCA I posted elsewhere that the Village people have been trying for years to get him to stop playing this.

Response to ShazzieB (Reply #21)

Marthe48

(20,224 posts)
25. More appropriate songs
Thu Oct 17, 2024, 03:58 PM
Oct 2024

Foggy Mountain Breakdown (from Bonnie and Clyde) (really apt)

The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace (lyrics based on fictional gunfight between cops and Al Capone's gang)

any others?

Liberal In Texas

(14,988 posts)
28. They're going to have to file a lawsuit. They won't stop otherwise.
Thu Oct 17, 2024, 05:33 PM
Oct 2024

And even with litigation pending they probably wouldn't quit using the music anyway.

Trump believes in keeping people he's screwing in court for ever. Appealing. Appealing. Appealing.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»'Height of blasphemy': Ru...