David Byrne Suing Florida Governor Over Usage of Song

David Byrne Sues Florida Governor For a Song (and $1 Million)
By ARTINFO
Published: May 25, 2010

NEW YORK— David Byrne, the beloved, multi-talented artist and musician, was not very pleased to learn that Charlie Crist, the current governor of Florida, had commandeered his classic Talking Heads song “Road to Nowhere” for a Senatorial campaign ad against Republican Marco Rubio. So the former art-punk is suing the politician.

The Daily News reports that Byrne wants $1 million for the illicit use of the song in online ads, a figure that is “based on previous offers Byrne has received for use of his songs in commercials,” and states that “the ad also violates the Lanham Act of the U.S. Trade Statue, implying a false endorsement of Crist by Byrne.” The white-haired icon may build bike racks, date Cindy Sherman, and turn massive abandoned buildings into musical instruments, but he sure doesn’t shill for political candidates.

In any case, the lyrics to the 1985 hit (“Takin’ that ride to nowhere / We’ll take that ride” etc.) have nothing directly to do with politics — though Crist probably heard an echo of the famed “bridge to nowhere” utterance from previous electoral scuffles involving Sarah Palin and friends.

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Sounding in on the legal controversy, the Atlantic reminds us of another Byrne gem, “Don’t Worry About The Government,” which presents a blithely carefree image of politicians. But if future political hacks want to rip off the Talking Heads catalog, we’d suggest the aggressive funk work-out “Born Under Punches” (“Take a look at these hands! / The hand speaks, the hand of a government man”). Or for G.O.P. flacks who abide by the time-honored policy of “bleeding the beast” — that would be defunding government programs until they shrivel and expire, naturally — you can’t get much better than “Burning Down The House”: “Hold tight!/ We’re in for nasty weather / There has got to be a way / Burning down the house!”

© Patrick McMullan Company

David Byrne

© Patrick McMullan Company

Florida Governor Charlie Crist