Turn The Music Off, Biyatch!

Filed under: Politik > John McCain > John Mellencamp

Rocker John Mellencamp's reps have 'quietly' asked John McCain to STOP playing Mellencamp's tunes, Our Country and Small Town, at McCain rallies.

Mellencamp is a fierce Democrat. And, until recently, he supported Dem drop out John Edwards (who had been playing those same two songs at his rallies!).

We think Mellencamp should let senior citizen Johnny Mac play his tunes.

McCain's supporters could learn something from the progressive lyrics!!

[Photo via Getty Images.]

Posted: Feb 5, 2008 at 1:48 pm / Email this »

See All 161 Comments

161 comments to “Turn The Music Off, Biyatch!”

More comments: [1] 2 »

rachel says – reply to this

1

first
Woody!!!! says – reply to this

2

OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dglhj says – reply to this

3

3rd!
PearAss Hilton says – reply to this

4

You would think JCM would be happy that someone, anyone, is playing his music these days.
Dennis says – reply to this

5

John McCain for President. A true American Hero. Unless you want to pay more for a gallon of gas and pay high taxes because of some polar beer in Alaska, vote republican
M says – reply to this

6

mccain sucks. i'm with woody (haha) GO OBAMA!
~~~~ BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SUX ~~~~ says – reply to this

7

THANK GOD !!!
charltz says – reply to this

8

first!@
EmoWhoreXx says – reply to this

9

3rd!
Nicole says – reply to this

10

FIRST!!!
Chris V says – reply to this

11

Mellencamp is a loser.
Nicole says – reply to this

12

FIRST!!
~~~~BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SUX~~~~ says – reply to this

13

I'M SO GLAD HE'S TAKING HIS SONG BACK.

REPUBLICANS SUCK
pfffffffht says – reply to this

14

Re: rachel – Big Deal!!!!
jake says – reply to this

15

yer great at copy & pasting articles without quoting yer sources.
Candy says – reply to this

16

You're looking at your next president, folks. McCain will most certainly get the nomination and there is no way Hillary or Obama could beat him. McCain is a very liberal republican. A lot of democrats will vote for him and all republicans will.
Fernand0 says – reply to this

17

"Progressive"? What does that mean?
dmac says – reply to this

18

politcal
amnesia
dotcom

Go Hillary!
Ann R. Key says – reply to this

19

Nice to see that Nicole Kidman's botox doc has a new client in Cindy McCain!
monica says – reply to this

20

Perez is fugly!
Arctic Ale says – reply to this

21

Re: Dennis – Polar Beer Rawks!
Mellencrap sucks says – reply to this

22

Seems like fair use to me, and not a very liberal democratic notion to try and control music and art in such a way. Very self-important and hypocritical.
lafata says – reply to this

23

you really ought to get yourself some 'education' perez before you start trying to sway the vote of young america. did you even finish high school? we can't find any records. do you actually read real newspapers? and yet you are professing to have some kind of knowledge about elections. be-bloody-wildering. stick to your poodles and your frustrated dress up fantasies.
MCCAIN FOR PREZ says – reply to this

24

FRIST BITCHES. GO MCCAIN.
d says – reply to this

25

I would be astonished if the person who wrote this post knows more than the most basic things about McCain's politics. Very surprised.
Steph says – reply to this

26

Maybe you should stop being a fool and nit picking at everything about John McCain and be honest and fair regarding all of the candidates. I'm so sick of seeing you bash him, I thought your site was about Hollywood morons, not about finding small details about John McCain's past/present that aren't stellar. You are disgusting, and the sad part is John McCain would be the best possible Republican to get a nomination because of his moderate views on homosexuality! Stop trying to be politically savvy and stick to what you do best, mocking celebrities!
F.A.R.A.H says – reply to this

27

I dOoOon't care.. you Americans fight about it. All the candidates are ugly.. so there's not much left for me to say really.

BYE
fd says – reply to this

28

I am sorry but do you want another Redneck President with the typical "Blonde" All-American wife.. (I mean by the way she dresses!! A typical steford housewife who is Christian and secretely opposes gay rights)

Voting For Maccain is like giving a third term for Bush. Please Vote for Obama, we need a fresh face, and he can put our Country into a good headstart economy.
Boycott Mario says – reply to this

29

I had heard that Mellenhead has also requested that Mario stop breathing. This dude has a lot of serious pull.
wEB BLOGGERS SHOULDN'T ENDORSE says – reply to this

30

YOU MAY HAVE AN EFFECT OR YOU MAY NOT, P. BUT IT'S NOT IN YOUR PURVIEW TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE, JUST LIKE IT SHOULDN'T BE THE NEW YORK TIMES PURVIEW. JOURNALISTS AND WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU DO, PEREZ, SHOULD STAY NEUTRAL AND ONLY GIVING FACTS, NOT ENDORSEMENTS. THE MASSES SHOULD DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES, NOT BECAUSE PNASTY LIKES HILLARY'S FORCED HEALTHCARE PROGRAM. IF YOU DON'T WANT HILLARY'S HEALTHCARE PROGRAM, TOO BAD. YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY INTO IT. AND IF YOU DON'T, YOUR WAGES WILL BE GARNISHED.
Observer says – reply to this

31

VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON. GO HILLARY!!!!
brainchild says – reply to this

32

I don't have anything against McCain(not voting for him), but he shouldn't play the music without permission. If John M. doesn't want it, then stop.
~~~~~~ TEAM HILLARY ~~~~~~ says – reply to this

33

INTERESTING THAT HIS PILL POPPING, PRESCRIPTION THEIVING WIFE IS IN THE PICTURE…
Jill says – reply to this

34

How pety! thats kinda funny though I am a fierce democrate but that was immature.
wtf says – reply to this

35

I guess he has no problems selling his music to every Chevy truck commercial on the planet though
AC says – reply to this

36

JCM is famous for his grassroots movements and support for family owned farms, he would never want a Republican to play his songs. He is one of the few artists that truly never forgot his roots and values and sticks up for people in hard situations. He has a right to not be exploited.
KGB says – reply to this

37

Perez,

"Taught to fear Jesus in a small town"… are those the progressive lyrics you speak of. Please stay away from political commentary.
boycott the messanger says – reply to this

38

Re: Boycott Mario – Why don't you start with yourself, asshole
This happened before says – reply to this

39

This happened with John Melloncamp in the 80's with Regan. Regan was using hiS song "Pink Houses" in his campaign BECAUSE OF THE LYRIV "…ain't that America, home of the free…, and John told him he could not do that. John has that right. You gotta love Pop-Up Video.
tracey says – reply to this

40

check out 2008ElectionProCon.org for info on ALL the candidates and their views on the major policy issues!
UPDATE: says – reply to this

41

Two days after losing in the most-watched Super Bowl ever, New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews was busted in Lowell, Mass., on charges of marijuana possession and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Andrews is scheduled to be arraigned sometime this afternoon in Lowell District Court.

Apparently, he took the loss hard.
Meg says – reply to this

42

HAHA I LOVE IT!. i wish edwards was still in.. i really wanted him to win.. obama can go somewhere.. he doesn't plan on united health care… so what is all this change he talks about? I'm not seeing it.. I see change with hill.. GO HILL!
UPDATE: says – reply to this

43

Two days after losing in the most-watched Super Bowl ever, New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews was busted in Lowell, Mass., on charges of marijuana possession and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Andrews is scheduled to be arraigned sometime this afternoon in Lowell District Court.

Apparently, he took the loss hard.
kat says – reply to this

44

john mellencamp should THANK mccain for playing his music because noone else cares to listen to it! and who the fuck is he to regulate what someone else wants to use - he's another hypocritcal delusional democrat asshole!
superior human being to you says – reply to this

45

Re: lafata – Everyone is allowed their opinion–even Perez. So shut up because we don't want to hear your stupid opinion no more, idiot
I knowz it says – reply to this

46

Don't F*** with John Mellencamp. He's a feisty old Hoosier who refers to himself as, "Little Bastard." He's tougher old cuss than McCain if that's possible. Candidates have previously tried to co-op his songs and he's not having ANY of it. I say "BRAVO!" CLINTON IN 2008!!!!!!!!
jimmyjazz says – reply to this

47

LET'S NOT FORGET CHICKIES THAT CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS HATE MCCAIN AND ARE RALLYING AROUND ROMNEY…..KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?
.
.
I LIKE JOHN MCCAIN….TEE HEE

.
.
I WANT OUR ONLY OPTIONS THIS YEAR TO BE SOCIALLY TOLERANT LIBERAL OPTIONS…………..GET OUT AND VOTE BITCHES!!!!!!!!
.
.
.
I EXPECT TO HEAR THAT ALL MY BITCHES VOTED TODAY!!!
kat says – reply to this

48

Re: wtf – RIGHT ON!!!!! HE'S SUCH A LOSER!!!!
Sylvia Browne Fans says – reply to this

49

Hey Everybody….
Slvia Brown will be on Montel TODAY instead of her normal Wednesday!!
obama's mama says – reply to this

50

What's Obama's theme song:
"Don't it figure
I'm just a nigga"
lisa says – reply to this

51

You should really do your homework Pretzel. McCain is much more "progressive" and maybe more left than your gal, Hil.
Bill says – reply to this

52

wait, perez is liberal?……….shocking.
pumpkin says – reply to this

53

McCain is soo funny. From Wikipedia: During a campaign appearance in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina on April 18, 2007, McCain was asked a question about possible military action against Iran. He responded by singing “Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran” to the melody of the Beach Boys' song "Barbara Ann". When later confronted about the matter, McCain stated, "My response is lighten up, and get a life." Asked whether the joke he made was insensitive, McCain retorted, "Insensitive to what? The Iranians?" Love him, love him.
Anne says – reply to this

54

Re: lafata –
I never post comments like this but I come to this site for celebrity gossip… Not political opinions. No offense but I seriously doubt Perez knows anything about real politics. I am so sick of Hollywood trying to sway young people to vote democrat. Democrats have all of these ideas but no way to pay for them. I'm a republican- I work so people on welfare don't have to. Ugh, how is that fair?
John Who says – reply to this

55

JCM needs to lighten up; another rock star who talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. This is from the dipstick that said he would never allow his songs to be used for advertising. Guess when you need money, you'll do anything. Free world buddy I can play what I want. Why don't you go sell your soul to endorse another product.
Yo says – reply to this

56

Why is he holding her hand up like that? Not voting for mccain…however I live in Utah so my vote is pretty mcuh decided for me.
karen says – reply to this

57

I'm voting for McCain if Hillary wins. Don't want the Clintons back in the white house.

Another professional female against Hillary
deidre says – reply to this

58

mellencamp (what a queer name) is a has been with shitty songs anyway. The only thing McCain's camp will learn from that terd is how to suck cock, butt (no typo), that's what perez's team is all about anyway….. sucking dick and being flamboyant, stupid, gossipy and just pathetic in general. So Mellenfart can keep his retarded songs and lyrics… and NO I'm not a McCain supporter….. I'm not a liberal drone either…. Conseratives and Liberals are both kooks! Stop being sheep people!!!! This two party system is ridiculous
Then boycott his old ass says – reply to this

59

Fuck JCM then. God these libs are pathetic. I am a Romney supporter but I say, Republicans, if he doesn't want you to listen to his music because he thinks we are sooooooooooooooooo evil, then boycott his stupid liberal old ass.
jackie says – reply to this

60

GET over IT COUGAR WATERMELON.

CHRISSY HINES ALLOWS RUSH TO USE HER MUSIC FOR ALMOST 2O YEARS AND SHE IS NO RUSH FAN (her parents are)

ITS MUSIC…YOU DONT OWN IT…GOD GAVE YOU THE GIFT TO SHARE .

jerk!
Lizzy says – reply to this

61

First….Perez is an idiot! Second…… JCM is an old washed up hag who should be grateful that anyone wants to play his tired music!
Steph says – reply to this

62

Re: fd – You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. John McCain is AS FAR away from Bush in the Republican spectrum as he could be. Does anyone remeber Kerry wanting McCain to be his running mate in 2004????? Hello people, open your eyes and read up on the issues before you jump to conclusions! McCain is the only person with the experiance andk nowledge to get us out of the shit hole that Bush put us in!!!
beth says – reply to this

63

you might as well face it, McCain is going to be the next pres….rasmussenreports.com.

and by the way, not all Republicans are Conservative! Fucking idiots I'm a Republican and support gay rights (my brother is gay) and simply don't believe abortion should even be a political topic - it's strictly personal. So fuck off and learn a little before you speak…prick!
Trina says – reply to this

64

McCain all the way the mans dedication to his country and being tortured in Vietnam makes him tough and not one to sell us out.Remember Jon Kerry's bullshit story in Vietnam witch was fabricated so he could be sent home from the war.What a wuss
lming says – reply to this

65

I agree with JMC. Its his music and he can give permission to whoever he wants to use his songs. McCain didn't even ask beforehand to use the music (and JMC doesn't want him to use it) so McCain should stop.

Plus McCain believes 100 year war with Iraq sounds good, I wouldn't want to support that man in anyway including, using my music.
stephanie says – reply to this

66

I've been raised on John Mellencamp and have had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife on a few occasions. He's intelligent and does write great music. And for those detracting from "Small Town" it was written in the 1980's so its not quite progressive now, but "Taught to fear Jesus in a small town" isn't him endorsing religion or anything else. B/c if you knew he and his wife are HUGE supporters of the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, IN. That's not exactly Christian, you dumb fucks.
lala says – reply to this

67

McCain had a mid life crisis and separated from his wheelchair-bound wife. Then met that blonde chick in the picture left his wife for her. Some much worse than the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, but republicans, nobody, talks about this. So much for republicans love of family values.
Alfie says – reply to this

68

Mellencamp has the right of free speech to request that song stop being played, but he doesn't have any legal right to demand. Most campaigns will honor the request, for instance GW Bush vs. Petty and Fogerty and Los Lobos, and several have not… most notable example being Reagan vs. Springsteen. There has never been a single court ruling to imply playing an artists' song equals an endorsement, and probably never will.
rio says – reply to this

69

i think he has every right to ask him not to play his music. he doesn't support him, so why should his music "help" him? either way, HILLARY!
Lori says – reply to this

70

John Mellencamp is awesome! He doesn't give a shit about hollywood and has a complete right to tell someone who does not vote the same way as he to not use his songs. Go Clinton! The only one with enough experience! It's about freaking time a woman showed these men how to run the world! I can't believe after all the shit we've been through people would even think about putting another republican in charge.
superior human being to you says – reply to this

71

Re: Anne – If you can't handle the political commentary, then get out!! You think your so educated–well, who cares!! Everyone can state their case. Go cry somewhere else!!
Stace* says – reply to this

72

screw John Mellancamp! He's an old a$$ too!!
Rehannen says – reply to this

73

That wouldn't seem so crazy…if John McCain wasn't a Democrat disguised as a Republican. He wanted to run with Kerry against the Republicans in the last election!
on welfare and lovin it says – reply to this

74

Re: Anne – Then work a little harder honey, cause I need my money. Welfare is the balls. Thanks, ANNE!!!
Alfie says – reply to this

75

John Mellencamp has just as much right to demand you stop playing his songs at your backyard barbeques…. in other words, no rights whatsoever. That cease and desist is an empty threat, and both parties know it. I'm sure McCain will be the gentleman anyway. But so much for free expression.
Katie Cool Lady says – reply to this

76

You gotta admit Mrs. McCain is a hottie though!
Nikki says – reply to this

77

John McCain is better off without JMC music!! Who wants to listen to that shit anyways?!?!
Jacqueline says – reply to this

78

Perez, you are incredibly ignorant and a liar. You say you are not trying to influence anyone's vote, yet you post this! You've lost your touch Perez, actually you lost it a while back! I have some advice for you, stick to what you know.
Robin says – reply to this

79

Way to pull sentences right out of the article you linked without sourcing them. Either provide your own commentary, or at least give the author proper credit.

But really, while you're at it…stick to Hollywood Gossip.
lawter says – reply to this

80

John Mellencamp is a douche. It just makes him look extremely arrogant. I wouldn't want to believe that the Democrat OR Republican candidates excuse this type of arrogant radical partisanship. Ick.
hunter says – reply to this

81

doesn't his wife look like a dragon?
katrina says – reply to this

82

John Cougar Mellenfart should practice what he preaches….TOLERANCE… its OK for one person to like his music but not another???!! What an asshole. He is a total hyocrite!!
Kab says – reply to this

83

Mellencamp is a HUGE asshole and everyone in Blmgtn knows it. He has a huge head and gives people the finger just for calling him "The Coug." I hate him, and hope McCain continues to use his music (out of spite, not necessarily because I think McCain is right or wrong).
susan says – reply to this

84

Re: Kab – He is a big jerk. I've seen interviews with him he is nasty. Also reports of him screaming at stage help, etc. His only half way decent song was Jack and Diane (or whatever it was called).
stopthepoliticsperez says – reply to this

85

McCain is not holding his wife's hand up. She is holding his because he can't move it due to injury. And it probably was just an error in his group not asking permission to use the songs. Print something relevent, like gossip. STAY OUT OF POLITICS, YOU ARE NOT PRESENTING ALL SIDES. YOU ARE PRINTING IRRELEVENT STUFF ABOUT OTHER CANDIDATES BUT NOT HILLARY! If you are going to be equal, than print about Bill's affairs, whitewater, Clintons sending work to India. I bet you don't even vote today.
McCain girl says – reply to this

86

Yeah McCain!! Can't wait til he kicks some Clinton ass! All you Dems keep voting for Hillary in the primaries - she's got no shot come November '08.
BeccaMe says – reply to this

87

Uh, hello, Mr. Mellencamp? Uhm, you know whenever you spout your bullshit all over the place and then when people tell you to shut the fuck up cuz your nothing but an overpaid suckass singer? And then, you spout "freedom of speech"? Well, I think fucking John McCain can play whatever the fuck he wants at his rallies and you should be glad your washed up ass get the royalties everytime they play one of your lame ass tired old fucking songs.
Crystal from the original Small Town! says – reply to this

88

Small Town was written about Seymour, Indiana…John Mellencamp's and MY home town. Yea! Thank God he has asked them to STOP playing these songs at Republican rallies! They know nothing about Our Country…
Peter says – reply to this

89

please stop using the word fierce ALL THE FUCKING TIME
sam says – reply to this

90

He doesn't want McCain a war hero, prisoner of war, who has dedicated his life to his country play his stupid song, but he doesn't mind that most of the people who buy his CD's are republicans since the democratic party is made up 35% black 30% Latino, 4% Jewish and the rest are white rich liberals who made their money on the backs of the poor but like to say the are for the little man, oh…. I can't forget the gays and the illegals too, they aren't the ones buying his dumb music.
Hannah says – reply to this

91

"McCain's supporters could learn something from the progressive lyrics!!"

Are you at all politically aware? McCain is SOCIALLY LIBERAL, FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE! Do you understand what that means? I thought this was a gossip column! If you're going to write about politics, you should at least take the time to learn the position of the candidates, and not just fall in line with whoever you think is prettier!

At least McCain has wartime experience. You've been sucking so hard onto Hillary, but you have no idea what her fiscal promises will do to this country! Take a second to dig deeper than the superficial, if on nothing else than on this! You write a column that many people read, and you have a responsibility to the public to not be so overwhelmingly retarded in the future!!
sooooz says – reply to this

92

John Mellencamp should be so lucky someone remember his old ass! Lay off Douche Bag!
Your worst enemy says – reply to this

93

STFU Perez. While you sit in a coffee shop all day and fag off with celebrities, John McCain does something for this country. He sat in a prison cell for years so you could have the RIGHT TO POST YOUR THOUGHTS. Have some respect. We come on here to read celebrity gossip and see pics, not be told how to vote. I will not vote a certain way because some a hole on the internet tells me a candidate backs the LGBTQUSTEV, or whatever you call yourselves. Tell me, did Bill do anything for you? What makes you think his wife will?
mellisa says – reply to this

94

mcCain for president.
denaliland says – reply to this

95

You people need to read about what Ron Paul stands for. He is the real winner. If the media would give him a chance he could get our country going in the right direction.
Ron Paul 2008!
Perez's Left Nut says – reply to this

96

VOTE MCCAIN. GET EDUCATED AND REALIZE THAT DEMOCRATS KEEP FUCKING THINGS UP SO REPUBLICANS HAVE TO FIX THEM AGAIN.
J says – reply to this

97

omg Mellencamp needs to get over it, I wonder if Fleetwood Mac liked B. Clinton using their song? In all seriousness who the hell cares
nobody says – reply to this

98

His wife looks like a plastic barbie, SCARY! BOTH OF THEM!
pamela says – reply to this

99

Dearest Perez……….stop delivering your political opinion…clearly you are a democrat, we get it hun. just focus on the celeb stuff for now.
VintagePixie says – reply to this

100

Perez, stick with celebrity gossip. You're not informed nor intelligent enough to start spouting political views. Shut up and gossip…Thanks honey.

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Criss Angel Is Recorded Threatening To Knock Out His Producer!

Whoa! Criss Angel is NOT messing around here!

The Luxor headlining illusionist was recorded having quite the verbal altercation with Joe Monti, one of his magic producers on Wednesday, during which Angel is heard threatening to knock him out - and now he's had a police report filed against him!

Give it a listen (above)!

Furthermore, Monti later said to authorities that he recorded the meeting because Angel has a history of bullying employees!

He explains:

“I wanted him to know how demeaning he was. I created 50-60 percent of the magic for ‘Mindfreak.' I have no reason to do anything vindictively but I draw the line on violence.”

Scary!

Violence is never the answer, folks!