September 5, 2008 21:38

Heart angry at Republican use of song

Rockers send Palin 'cease-and-desist' notice

Heart have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Republican Party in the US after controversial Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin used their song during her appearance at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday (September 3).

Heart singers Ann and Nancy Wilson say that the Republicans did not ask for permission to use their track ‘Barracuda’. The song is unofficially the theme for Palin, who was nicknamed ‘Sarah Barracuda’ when she played basketball in high school.

The Wilsons have asked the party not to use the song again and say they would not have allowed it to be used in the first place.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," the sisters said in a statement, according to Reuters.

The Republicans were sued last month by Jackson Browne after they reportedly used his song ‘Running On Empty’ in an ad for Presidential candidate John McCain.

But one member of Heart is happy that the song was used by Palin.

The band's former guitarist, Roger Fisher told Reuters it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from "the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song."

--By our New York staff.
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