Rock and roll is here to stay, just as long as you are not a Republican running for president. In that case, go find your own song, man.
Inside Trump Tower a week ago, Donald Trump approached the podium to announce his candidacy to the sound of Neil Young’s 1989 anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Young, a noted liberal and once counterculture icon, wasn’t flattered.
“Donald Trump was not authorized to use ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’ in his presidential candidacy announcement,” an official statement from Young’s camp immediately responded. “Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States of America.”
Trump’s Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski told Fox News the campaign had paid for the rights to use the song, but nevertheless said, “…there are plenty of other songs to choose from. Despite Neil’s differing political views, Mr. Trump likes him very much.”
Aside from sharing a similar taste in music, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have led very different lives, which is perhaps the root of Young’s displeasure with Trump’s campaign.
While Sanders was traveling to Vermont in 1968 as a part of the “hippie migration,” Donald Trump was receiving a degree in Economics from Penn’s Wharton business school.
The “hippie” got older and decided to fight the system from the inside, while the business magnate embarked on a journey to build a fortune almost as tall as his real estate ventures.
Now, as Sanders supports higher taxes on the wealthy and climate change legislation, Trump promises to make America rich again through economic deregulation and bold conversation.
Both have spoken of helping the middle class, but in a song that is often sung, the Republican has been left out to dry by an artist for simply appreciating the music.
In a press release issued by Sanders, the Democratic candidate said he was given Young’s blessing to use the song for a Democratic Party Presidential event at the University of Denver over the weekend.
While Young can’t vote, that apparently isn’t going to stop him from throwing his support behind a candidate.
At the Saturday event, Sanders proposed a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure, free college and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, after he entered to “Rockin’ in the Free World,” of course.
Now, the song appears to have found its rightful home on the other end of the political spectrum, which is where it was written.