Radiohead Slams ICE Usage
Radiohead publicly condemned ICE for using their song "Let Down" in a social media video, stating the use was unauthorized and contrary to the band's values. The incident has reignited debates about copyright and the social responsibility of artists and government agencies. This follows a pattern of artists speaking out against unauthorized use of their music by political entities.
The controversial video used a choral version of Radiohead's 1997 song "Let Down" as a soundtrack to a montage of images depicting victims of violence allegedly perpetrated by undocumented immigrants. The video was part of a social media campaign by ICE titled "This is our why" and was also shared by other government accounts associated with the Trump administration. In a blunt statement, Radiohead demanded that the "amateurs in control of the ICE social media account take it down." The band's full message concluded with the direct and unambiguous statement: "Also, go f*** yourselves... Radiohead." This incident is part of a larger trend of artists clashing with political figures over the unauthorized use of their music. Musicians like SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo have also recently condemned the use of their songs in government videos. Historically, artists from Bruce Springsteen demanding Ronald Reagan stop using "Born in the U.S.A." to Neil Young suing the Trump campaign have voiced opposition. Legally, using a song in a political video without a specific "synchronization license" can constitute copyright infringement. While campaigns sometimes claim "fair use," courts have rejected this argument in similar cases, such as when a judge ruled against the Trump campaign for using Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," stating the video was "a wholesale copying of music to accompany a political campaign ad." Radiohead has a long history of political engagement and activism, often embedding critiques of governmental power and societal issues in their music. Frontman Thom Yorke has been an outspoken advocate for environmental causes and has previously stated the band does not endorse political figures like Donald Trump. This isn't the first time a member of Radiohead has objected to their music's use in a political context this year. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood recently demanded a piece of his film score be removed from a documentary about Melania Trump, citing a breach of his composer agreement. The list of musicians who have opposed the use of their music by the Trump administration specifically is extensive. A group including Mick Jagger, Lorde, and Green Day has signed an open letter demanding politicians seek permission before using their music, and performing rights organizations like BMI and ASCAP allow artists to remove their songs from political campaign licenses.
