ABBA demands Trump stop using their songs at campaign rallies
2 Min Read
The Republican candidate has used the Swedish band's iconic songs including The Winner Takes it All and Money, Money, Money during his presidential rallies
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Group picture of iconic Swedish band ABBA in 1974. (AFP)
Iconic Swedish pop band ABBA demanded on Thursday that Republican candidate Donald Trump stop using their music during his campaign rallies.
Videos have circulated of at least one Trump rally playing ABBA's music, Universal Music AB in Sweden, the group's record label, stated.
"We have demanded that [the material] be taken down and removed," the label told AFP in an email.
"Universal Music Publishing AB and [record company] Polar Music International AB have not received any request [to use the music], so no permission or licence has been given to Trump," they added.
Back in July, a reporter from the Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) attended a Trump rally in Minnesota, a state known for its strong Swedish community.
The journalist highlighted that one of ABBA's biggest hits, "The Winner Takes It All," was played after a 10-minute video including "Money, Money, Money" and "Dancing Queen" was projected on a big screen.
ABBA joins Celine Dion and other musical icons
ABBA joins Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and the Rolling Stones in the list of famous musicians who have asked Trump to refrain from using their music at his campaign rallies and events.
Canadian singer Celine Dion issued a statement on August 10 denouncing Trump's "unauthorized" use of her music at one of his presidential campaign rallies, while making fun of the song choice.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” Dion posted on her X and Instagram accounts.
“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. … And really, THAT song?”
Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign… pic.twitter.com/28CYLFvgER
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) August 10, 2024
