Live Breaking News & Updates on Great White Records

Rockin in the free world? Inside the rightwing takeover of protest music
Luke Ottenhof
© Provided by The Guardian
Photograph: Steve Granitz/WireImage
“Did you know that Born in the USA is actually an anti-Vietnam war anthem?” Since Donald Trump embraced the 1984 Bruce Springsteen song during rallies, the lyrics have prompted so much explanation it now borders on cliche. Yet it’s no less unsettling for it, becoming a prime example of a startlingly widespread trend for the right wing to co-opt music about struggle and progress.
President Ronald Reagan made the first attempt to gloss over the context of the song’s ironically upbeat chorus after the release of the Born in the USA album. Reagan name-checked Springsteen during a New Jersey rally in an attempt to connect the musician to a “message of hope” for America. Springsteen’s opposition to its use didn’t affect the fervour for the song from Trump and his supporters. As Barac ....

United States , Republic Of , United Kingdom , New Jersey , Kevin Fellezs , Elliotth Powell , Steve Granitz Wireimage , Ronald Reagan , Van Morrison , Tom Morello , Bruce Springsteen , Noriko Manabe , Boris Johnson , Johnny Cash , Jack Hamilton , Barack Obama , Benjamin Teitelbaum , Jay French , Niels Van Iperen Getty , Eric Clapton , Mark Horton Getty , Neil Young , Charles Bramesco , British National Party , Columbia University , University Of Colorado ,