Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz received approval for the use of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” during the the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.
Walz ended his speech with rapturous applause and exited the DNC stage in Chicago’s United Center by walking out to “Rockin’ in the Free World,” a cut from Young’s 1989 album, “Freedom.” According to a report from CNN, Young personally approved the use of the song for the Harris campaign since it’s a favorite of Walz’s.
The song’s anthemic message has been used as a soundtrack for previous political parties in the past — most famously, in 2015 for Donald Trump‘s campaign trail for the 2016 election. However, Young did not approve of the Trump campaign utilizing the song, as he clearly outlined in a statement at the time.
He went on to sue Trump for unauthorized use in 2020, citing not just “Rockin’ in the Free World” but also a more obscure song from 2003’s “Greendale” album, “Devil’s Sidewalk,” that was part of the playlist at a Trump rally.
“Imagine what it feels like to hear ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ after this President speaks, like it is his theme song. I did not write it for that,” Young wrote then on his website. He cited Trump’s call for a military response to the Black Lives Matter protests as especially upsetting.
The suit also said Young “has continuously and publicly objected to the use by the campaign of the songs. The first such objection was in connection with Trump’s playing of ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ at his June 16, 2015 announcement that he was running for president. In response, the campaign issued a statement stating that it had procured a license to do so, thus acknowledging that it knew a license is required.”
A rep for Young did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The final night of the DNC will take place on Thursday with the Chicks scheduled to sing “The Star Spangled Banner.” Pink has also been reported to be performing at the 2024 convention. The first three nights of the DNC included performances by John Legend, Jason Isbell, Patti LaBelle, Maren Morris, Common and Mickey Guyton, with a cameo by Jon B during a music-driven roll call.
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