Elephants And Donkey Songs

After the Republican National Convention played the Van Halen tune “Right Now” as presidential hopeful John McCain jumped on stage to give his big speech introducing running-mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin August 29, a band rep told TMZ the rockers weren’t exactly OK with the choice of song.

The rep said the band had no idea the RNC planned to use the song and that “permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given.”

On the other hand, former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar released a statement saying it was fine by him that the GOP used the song.

“When I wrote the lyrics to ‘Right Now’ I intended them to inspire people to not sit around and wait for something they believed in but to go out and get it – to make a change however they needed to,” Hagar wrote.

“Whether it was McCain who used the song or if Obama had chosen to use the song, with the current political climate, the lyrics still have the same meaning, and we all need to do something to make a difference, every action counts.”

The Democrats’ choice of Brooks & Dunn’s “Only in America” as the song played following Sen. Barack Obama’s acceptance speech August 28 raised at least one person’s eyebrows.

“Seems ironic that the same song Bush used at the Republican convention last election would be used by Obama and the Democrats now,” Kix Brooks said in a statement. “Very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans.”