Steely Dan’s Response to Republicans Using Their Song: A Alternative Proposal
It’s well-known that artists often struggle to prevent their music from being used in ways they don’t like, thanks to music industry contracts. A recent example is Steely Dan’s situation, where they seemingly couldn’t stop the band Sixwire from performing their song "Reelin’ In the Years" at the Republican National Convention. Instead of trying to stop them, the band decided to react by offering an alternative suggestion.
The Alternative: "The Man in the Tin Foil Hat"
On their website and social media channels, Steely Dan posted an image that simply read, "Hey! Sixwire: If you want to play our music, how about playing ‘The Man in the Tin Foil Hat’?" This clever move is a clear dig at the Republican National Convention, given that the song’s lyrics are decidedly anti-Donald Trump in spirit.
The Song Behind the Joke
Written by Todd Rundgren and featuring Donald Fagen, "The Man in the Tin Foil Hat" is a 2017 track that was born out of the duo’s frustration with the 2016 election. The song’s lyrics tackle themes of fascism and conspiracy theories, which are eerily relevant to current events.
The Song’s Inspiration
According to Rundgren, the song was driven by his and Fagen’s common frustration with the election. He recalled, "It was still pretty fresh, and we were still pretty mad about it, so it happened pretty organically." Fagen also chimed in, stating, "If you’re a Trump supporter, don’t come to my show, because you won’t have a good time. And also, I don’t understand your frickin’ values. Because I’m not singing about that. If you don’t understand that basic thing, you’re just fooling yourself."
Sixwire’s Performance
Sixwire, the band behind the Republican National Convention performance, was formed in 2000. They have a long history of performing on TV shows, including "Nashville Star," "Next Great American Band," "Next Superstar," and "Nashville." The band’s setlist for the convention included songs like "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick, "Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters, "Don’t Stop Believin’" by Journey, "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2, and "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac.
Conclusion
Steely Dan’s clever response to the Republicans using their song highlights the power of art to challenge and provoke. By offering an alternative, they showed that even in the face of adversity, artists can choose to use their creativity to make a statement.
FAQs
Q: Who is Sixwire?
A: Sixwire is a band formed in 2000, known for their performances on various TV shows.
Q: What was the significance of Steely Dan’s song choice?
A: Steely Dan’s song choice, "The Man in the Tin Foil Hat," was a clever dig at the Republican National Convention, given its anti-Donald Trump lyrics.
Q: What did the song’s creators, Todd Rundgren and Donald Fagen, have to say about the election?
A: Both Rundgren and Fagen were frustrated with the election and expressed their disappointment through their music.
Q: What other bands performed at the Republican National Convention?
A: The band Sixwire was joined by other bands, including Cheap Trick, Foo Fighters, Journey, U2, and Fleetwood Mac.
Q: Can artists really stop their music from being used in ways they don’t like?
A: Artists often struggle to prevent their music from being used in ways they don’t like, thanks to music industry contracts.
