No matter which side one might lean on politically, a political party or politician using a musical artist's song can be tricky. Basically, the tune is being used to back up a message that the artist isn't necessarily saying themselves. Many times, they might not agree with how the track is used.
That is the case this week with the White House using Ariana Grande's 2024 song, "Bye," in a TikTok reel about immigration. The people running the White House currently are not pro-immigration, of course, but the issue is that using a tune without permission simply seems wrong.
Grande responded to the borrowing of her song by replying to White House officials, "Please do not use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense."
Ariana Grande makes plain she doesn't want her song used by the White House
The White House then issued its own response, which backed its stance on immigration, but did not apologize for the unapproved use of "Bye." The reel was then muted (silenced, but not taken down), and Grande's response was removed.
The issue of a politician using music for ads or promotions has long been a problem, of course. Artists can sue over the use of the music, but sometimes the damage is done.
People hear the song while watching the images (in the case of "Bye," the video showed immigration officers placing people in handcuffs and then putting them in cars or detention centers), and don't follow up to see if the musician had any thoughts on the song being used.
A better method, albeit one that would take more time in a culture pushed by social media to do things quickly, would be for the political party or politician to ask to use the music. At least then all involved would be on the same proverbial page, and the song would be approved.
Almost certainly, those who have any kind of political leaning can find musical artists who agree with them and wouldn't mind their music being used. One just needs to do a little research to find out who.
Otherwise, using one's songs without permission just comes close to stealing, understanding that many will know the tune and watch without fully being aware of what they are about to see. In that case, the use of the music just seems wrong, no matter which person or political party is trying to use the song for their own intentions.
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