I'm sure the folks over at Fox News thought they were being mighty clever by slipping R.E.M.'s 1991 hit "Losing My Religion" into their coverage of the clearly godless Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this week. Of course, a little research would reveal that the song has nothing to do with religion, that "losing my religion" is a Southern phrase that means to lose one's nerves or patience… but, of course, that would involve fact checking, wouldn't it?
Previously…
Tom Morello Blasts Paul Ryan's Rage Against The Machine Fandom
In any case, R.E.M. are less than pleased about it. A new post on the band's official website reads:
R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" was used in the Fox News coverage of the Democratic National Convention last night. R.E.M. today, through its music publisher, Warner-Tamerlane Music, demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing its unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song. Michael Stipe said, "We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there."
Just a thought, but next time, Fox News, you might want to pick music from, oh, I don't know… not one of the most famously Democratic-favoring rock bands of all time. Hey, you could always commission one of the countless country artists who'll be voting for Mitt Romney this November to write a brand new song about the heathen left… every other progressive, forward-thinking band and artist on the planet, meanwhile, probably won't want you using their work. Shrug, just a little friendly heads-up.
Any thoughts on this latest "don't use our music" political half-scandal? Let us know in the comments section below.
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