Donald Trump used Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” without authorization at a rally, according to a statement released by her management team. The rally was held in Bozeman, Montana, on August 9th, and at the time, it was unclear if Trump’s team had obtained the proper licensing to use the track. However, the statement made it clear that Dion does not endorse this usage. The statement also revealed that Dion’s management and record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, had become aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing the song. In conclusion, the statement stated that the use of Dion’s song is unauthorized and implied that the artist cannot endorse this or any similar use.
Dion had previously been invited to perform at Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, but Dion refused to be associated with the former president. The Canadian singer gave her first public performance since revealing her stiff person syndrome diagnosis in 2022, during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Dion performed an epic rendition of Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne a L’Amour” that drew much praise. However, this latest incident has no doubt extracted a negative response from the artist.
Celine Dion is far from the first artist to voice her objections after her music was used at a Trump rally. This year, after The Smiths’ “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” was played at one such event, Johnny Marr made his views known, stating, “Consider this sh*t shut down right now.” Similarly, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Queen, and The Animals have made similar objections in the past.
In conclusion, it is clear that unauthorized use of artists’ music at political events can generate fierce opposition from the artist, as has been seen with Celine Dion and many other famous musicians. It is up to political campaigns to obtain the proper licensing and permissions while also respecting the artists’ views and wishes
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