Neil Young has once again taken to task American President Donald Trump for using his song ‘Rocking In The Free World’ at his rallies but admits there is nothing he can do about it.
In a statement Young made it clear that Trump does not have his permission to use the song but Trump does have a legal right to play it.
“DT does not have my permission to use the song ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ at his appearances,” Young posted to Instagram. “Legally, he has the right to, however it goes against my wishes. I made this perfectly clear, after he played it in a media moment to announce his candidacy. I asked him then, in a widely shared, public letter to cease and desist. However, he chose not to listen to my request, just as he chooses not to listen to the many American voices who ask him to stop his constant lies, to stop his petty, nasty name calling and bullying, to stop pushing his dangerous, vilifying and hateful rhetoric. This man does not represent the character of the people in the USA that I have come to know and love”.
Young also says he cannot vote but if you can, you should. “I’m Canadian so I can’t vote in the states, but if you can, take this great opportunity to make your voice heard,
and Vote”!
“Keep on Rocking in the Free World!,” he concluded.
Trump’s choice of ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ is misjudged. Young wrote the song as a criticism of the Republican Party and the first Bush administration, even using the line ‘thousand points of light’ said by Bush Sr in his inauguration speech.
Trump also misses the point of the lyrics “There’s a lot of people saying we’d be better off dead” and “don’t feel like Satan but I am to them”.
‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ bookends the 1989 Young album ‘Freedom’ much like ‘Hey Hey My My’ was placed on ‘Rust Never Sleeps’.
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