Franz Ferdinand have declared themselves “disgusted” and “furious” after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) used their 2003 song, ‘Take Me Out’, in a propaganda video showing images of fighter jets, explosions and an Israeli soldier celebrating the country’s attacks on Iran, which have already left hundreds dead. The caption of the post reads “Operation Roaring Lion: That’s how it’s done.”
It was Alex Kapranos, vocalist of Franz Ferdinand, who spoke out about the perverse use of his song in the video, pointing out: “These warmongering murderers are using our music without our consent. This makes us both nauseated and furious. Although, in reality, it is quite typical, isn’t it? Strutting in and taking what is not theirs with vile arrogance…”
It is indeed “pretty typical” for both the White House and the IDF to use pop songs in their videos, giving them disturbing second readings. Recently, Kesha has condemned Trump for using her hit ‘Blow’ in a video and a line about “being handcuffed” from SZA’s ‘Big Boy’ also served the White House to promote ICE and its detentions.
Other artists who have been victims of the bad arts of the White House have been Radiohead and Sabrina Carpenter, who have harshly criticized the use that has been made of their songs and taken legal measures against it. SZA has been one of the few artists who has gone a little further, pointing out the “rage bait” intention of this type of publications, that is, their use as a “bait” on networks for artists to click and comment on the videos, expanding their views.
Following Kesha’s words against the “predator” Trump, the White House communications chief, Steven Cheung, mocked the artists for continuing to “sting” the provocations of the president of the United States, but the truth is that they have two options, either speak out or remain silent.
Most artists have signed contracts with record labels that authorize the licensing of their catalogs to platforms such as TikTok or Instagram, allowing any account – including that of the Israeli army – to use their songs without prior authorization and with malicious intent. That’s why even Taylor Swift, who owns the masters of her own songs, couldn’t stop the White House from using ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ in a “patriotic” video.
For this reason, artists like Kapranos, Kesha or Radiohead can only publicly express their repudiation and indignation at the use that ICE or the IDF make of their songs, with that “vile arrogance” to which Kapranos precisely alludes. At least Sabrina Carpenter managed to get the White House to delete an ICE video after calling it “vile and disgusting,” but unfortunately this is not usually the case.
