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Survivor sues Newt Gingrich for using Rocky III theme, Eye of the Tiger, as campaign song

Jan 30, 2012, 5:00 PM EDT

13 Comments
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gin Getty Images

The case is Rude Music Inc. v. Newt 2012 Inc., 12-cv-00640, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago), and the Newt in question is a guy who happens to be running for President of the United States. Seems that Newt Gingrich has been using Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger as his theme song on the campaign trail, and the composers of that ballad from Rocky III are not happy about it. San Francisco Chronicle:

Rude Music Inc., an Illinois corporation owned by Frank Sullivan, a co-author of the song, sued the candidate today in federal court in Chicago, seeking a court order blocking Gingrich’s unauthorized use of the song at campaign rallies. Rude Music is also seeking unspecified money damages.

Newt 2012 Inc. and the American Conservative Union, a political advocacy group, are also named as defendants in the five-page complaint.

“Newt 2012’s and Mr. Gingrich’s unauthorized public performance or inducement of or contribution to the public performance of the copyrighted work infringes Rude Music’s copyright,” according to the complaint.

This is nothing new: many rock musicians have asked political candidates to cease and desist using their music, among them Bruce Springsteen, who turned down several requests from the Ronald Reagan re-election campaign to use Born in the USA as the candidate’s theme song in 1984.

So Newt’s going to have to go in a different direction if he wants his campaign to be set to music. Some suggestions:

Permanent Vacation, Areosmith.

Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO.

Bad Day, Daniel Powter.

Bootylicious, Destiny’s Child.

Out of Touch, Daryl Hall and John Oates

Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears For Fears.

You Give Love a Bad Name, Bon Jovi.

And for joint appearances with Herman Cain:

I Think We’re Alone Now, Tiffany.

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Newt Gingrich sued for playing ‘Eye of the Tiger’ without permission [San Francisco Chronicle]

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  1. fraudguy - Jan 31, 2012 at 1:34 AM

    Wasn’t “Eye of the Tiger” from Survivor?

  2. bjg5091 - Jan 31, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    Okay I love Journey but I am pretty sure Survivor was the band that performed the song, not Journey.

    • Rick Chandler - Jan 31, 2012 at 1:50 AM

      You are correct, sir. A gleaming +1 is in the mail.

  3. skids003 - Jan 31, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Once again, here’s Rick with his political views in a sports column. Why don’t you just start writing political culumns Rick, so we won’t have to read your drivel? I bet you got the tingly feeling down your leg a few years ago too, right?

  4. drakost - Jan 31, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Don’t be too hard on Rick. I’ve seen music files that have Journey listed as the singer to that song… Insane but true

  5. guinsrule - Jan 31, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    The Republican party’s song should be Crazy if they think Newt can beat Obama. C’mon GOP wise up and pick someone who can win in November.

  6. koufaxmitzvah - Jan 31, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    The only thing political here is Newt Gingrich being a hypocrite because of his support for SOPA.

    Granted, reality rarely paints Republicans in a good light.

    • koufaxmitzvah - Jan 31, 2012 at 11:58 AM

      Zing.

    • skids003 - Jan 31, 2012 at 12:57 PM

      I guess you mean left wing Dems are NOT hypocrits?

      • koufaxmitzvah - Feb 1, 2012 at 11:48 AM

        When a “left wing Dem” complains about being called out unauthorize use of music, then I will bring up the same issue.

        But you, Skids, brought up politics when there was no politics to bring up. To presume’s Rick political standing because he chose to run a factual article that wasn’t to your liking is beyond silly.

      • skids003 - Feb 1, 2012 at 2:01 PM

        Actually, Mr. Koufax, if you will read his past articles, it doesn’t take much detective work to figure it out. And unauthorized music is the least of our worries as a country, especially by a group of one hit wonders.

      • koufaxmitzvah - Feb 2, 2012 at 4:12 PM

        No, Skids, you are making presumptions. I can presume plenty about you based on your comments just as you can about me based on mine. Neither action proves anything.

        Anywho, why do you care what Survivor does with their time? They don’t want Newt playing their music. Springsteen didn’t want Reagan to play his music. This is what happens in America. Big flipping whoop.

        Man, you need a hobby, bro.

  7. goforthanddie - Jan 31, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    He can switch to Beck’s “Loser”.

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