During the fireworks that closed out the convention, Tori Kelly’s rendition of “Hallelujah” — which the singer recorded for the soundtrack of the 2016 animated film— played on the RNC broadcast alongside patriotic songs like “She’s a Grand Old Flag” and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Kelly wrote in a since-deleted tweet , “Seeing messages about my version of hallelujah… all i know is neither myself nor my team received a request. Similarly, Sony/ATV Music Publishing president and global chief marketing officer Brian J. Monaco said in a statement, “On the eve of the finale of the convention, representatives from the Republican National Committee contacted us regarding obtaining permission for a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah.’ We declined their request.”
The unauthorized use of “Hallelujah” is just the latest dustup between the Trump campaign and nearly every artist the president has played music by on the campaign trail; the Tom Petty estate, the Rolling Stones and Neil Young are just some of those who have decried — and threatened legal action against — Trump for his rally soundtracks.
Nice. Should have also suggested “The Future” or for more than a hint of sarcasm “Democracy”...
We are so grateful for your song and what your song means to the millions of us that DO support (even if only with a vote) President Donald Trump. I remember someone telling me to sue after a car accident then I went back to my upbringing in the Bible Mathew 18:15-17
ajgoldmann those poor Republicans have such a dearth of like-minded artists to choose from they resort to lying and cheating. Stick to TedNugent RepublicanNationalConvention GOPConvention2020 LeonardCohen
Good, at one point I thought they had permission to use it... was kinda sad about that. Glad that they even refused! 🎉 LeonardCohen
The law and order...Mr. Trump
Please Sue. The trumps are literally making money from this process and they violated the estate rights by Unlawful use of the song - knowingly!
davrosz My Humps ignored again.
Trump steals whatever he likes! Crook!
This is a war crime. Please sue Trump JustinTrudeau.
Michael_Calia So petty. Move on.
The man who wrote 'Democracy' would never have supported the first Trump presidency let alone a second term.
The song copyrights are own by Sony/ATV, all he got to do is sit down and collect a pay check. lol
realDonaldTrump many musicians don't want Trump use their music. Sad thing is that his campaign has no basic respect for those requests. Persatic.
Excellent!
Perfect line for Trump ' I didn't know I had permission to mangle and to maim'
We kill the flame
See I would have guessed ‘everybody knows’
I’ve been listening to “Everybody Knows” since election night 2016
OK, so the Biden campaign theme song should be 'Everybody Knows.'
How dare the RNC use Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah?
JairajSinghR Yes. FuckTrump
Yeah, good luck with those legal options. In the public domain now 🤣
Whatever. Get better things to do.
They should’ve used: “Everybody knows that the fight was fixed/ the poor stay poor, the rich get rich...”
Always after that pound of flesh.
frankkuin Yikes he may be turning in his grave. I know I'd be. 😬
😍
If they only knew what the song was about! 😂 I ❤️Cohen’s dirty songs. RIP Leonard.
This is the dumbest thing ever. Leonard loved Trump and what he's done for Israel.
How stunning and brave. I bet all three of your (anti)fa friends go that joke.
They should go for it and charge that a tie to the rnc as a possible irreversible damage of brand and Cohen and penalties should be hundreds of millions of dollars for damage to a lifetime to Cohen and his work. I would contribute to that suit if needed. realDonaldTrump GOP
Sue them all!!!
“Democracy”.
Yeah right.
They just keep using music without permission. It's extraordinarily arrogant and self-entitled behaviour.
listensessions1 Trump is used to taking what he wants, and then law suits happen. There's speculation there are currently 1000s. Gamification for a mind that needs stimulating. Trump may be a human that goes done for the records with 'the most diagnoses'. And may approve of the novelty!
JennaPrice Sue their butts
Goog god.
alecreyna98 Every time they use a song without permission the artist involved should thank them publicly for the exposure and then make a very public and very generous donation to Planned Parenthood in the name of the GOP
stljv Good!!
🤔🤣
Sorry about your bad feelings...
RNC did same w eltonofficial song last night
OMG LC would NEVER approve the use of his song this way.
Sue those MFs!!!
Such a ghastly insult to a musical genius!
realDonaldTrump Sue the bastards.
GOP: Grotesque Obsolete Perverts RNC: Repeat, Notorious Criminals
Good
Love his voice.
I hope that they do more than “explore”. This is not the first time that this party has done it. They will continue if no one holds them accountable.
How about 'Democracy'
“So they tied you to the kitchen chair, a Russian hooker peeing there..Hallelujaaah!”
LisaNapoles I would have gone with Everybody Knows
Ziggiezaggie The laugh’s on them, Hallelujah is about sex. 😂
get his ass ghost leonard
I say sue the Fukk out of them..
Leonard must be pissed
Reps for Leonard Cohen's estate say they are 'exploring legal options' after the RNC used a cover of Cohen's 'Hallelujah' last night. Their alternative suggestion? 'You Want It Darker'
What if they used “First We Take Manhattan”?
The RNC should use Everybody Knows instead. Sums up the Trump era. leonardcohen
Paul Kalkbrenner remix please
Though I never met him in life, I am sure that Leonard Cohen would not be fan of Trump...
If you are the dealer I'm out of the game If you are the healer It means I'm broken and lame If thine is the glory then Mine must be the shame You want it darker We kill the flame
Yeah good luck with that. All you have to do is purchase a license and you can play anyones music. Cohen's estate were happy to take the fee and now they want to virtue signal its all wrong. Let them pay Trump the license fee back,,, then they can have a say. FakeNews
'You Want It Darker' is a great song, btw.
well I guess they played it without understanding the full lyrics!! trump'S team should learn to google!! LockHimUp
adamselzer Yup if authors can’t use lyrics, then....
is Ted Nugent that bad?
That is a great song