Trump supporters pose with signs on Tuesday at the Trump rally in Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE — The playlist used at President Donald Trump rallies is mostly made up of classic rock hits, although with a sprinkling of opera, indie rock and the theme from “Titanic.”
Although a smattering of famous artists and musicians back the president, the majority of those whose music is used by the Trump campaign aren’t happy about it. But because so many venues — like the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, where Tuesday’s rally in Milwaukee was held — have wide music licensing rights agreements, many artists aren’t able to prevent their music from being used by political opponents.
Still, some have tried.
Here is a list of many of the hits that played Tuesday inside and outside the arena, and how the artists feel about the president.
Queen: “We Are The Champions”
This song was one of several that played multiple times. In 2016, Queen successfully convinced the Trump campaign to stop using their music; apparently that didn’t last. In October, the band criticized the campaign for using “We Will Rock You” without permission.
In this Sept. 19, 2015 file photo Adam Lambert, left, and Brian May of Queen perform at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lee Greenwood: “God Bless the U.S.A.”
This American anthem is usually the song playing when Trump takes the stage at rallies. During a Make America Great Again concert in 2017, Greenwood (who identifies a conservative Christian) said that “Donald Trump is a patriot.”
Guns ‘N Roses: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Axl Rose, the band’s frontman, tweeted in 2018: “Personally I kinda liked the irony of Trump supporters listening to a bunch of anti-Trump music at his rallies but I don’t imagine a lot of ‘em really get that or care.” Although Bob Dylan, who wrote “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” has long been labeled as a progressive, the Nobel laureate songwriter hasn’t publicly weighed in on how he feels about Trump as president.
Michael Jackson: “Beat It”
Another song that played multiple times throughout Tuesday’s rally. Trump and Jackson were actually longtime friends preceding the pop star’s 2009 death.
Michael Stipe of the band R.E.M. performs on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Monday March 24, 2008.
R.E.M.: “Losing my Religion” and “Everybody Hurts”
The band announced Wednesday that it is considering legal action against the Trump campaign if it continues using their music.
The Village People: “Macho Man”
Although the Village People are more known for their “YMCA” hit (another song that the Trump campaign has used), the still well-known “Macho Man” played not long before the president took the stage Tuesday. One of the members of the group was torn when he found out about his music being used. In 2018, he asked fans on Facebook what they thought. Their responses were inconclusive, some saying it was OK, some were indifferent, some asking for putting a stop to Trump supporters dancing the “YMCA.”
Elton John: “Candle In The Wind,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”
Trump is a big fan of the singer. John declined to perform at Trump’s inauguration, but said it was because the singer is a British citizen who felt it would be inappropriate. Bernie Taupin, the songwriter who wrote both songs, said in 2018 he was “bothered” by Trump nicknaming Kim Jong-un “Little rocket man.”
Taupin told the Wall Street Journal: “The thought that World War III could start over the use of my song title was disturbing.”
The Animals: “House of the Rising Sun”
“House of the Rising Sun” was one of several songs that played multiple times at Tuesday’s rally. The British Invasion outfit hasn’t weighed in on the American president.
The Beatles: “Hey Jude”
Sir Paul McCartney is not a Trump fan. He released a song two years ago, called “Despite Repeated Warnings,” criticizing the U.S. president.
Paul McCartney performs at Madison's Kohl Center in June during his "Freshen Up" tour.
Rolling Stones: “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” “Time Is On My Side,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Heart of Stone” and “Let’s Spend the Night Together”
The Stones were the most popular artist at Tuesday’s rally in Milwaukee. Although lead singer Mick Jagger isn’t happy about Trump using his music, he said the band “can’t stop” the usage of the music.
Brooks & Dunn: “Only In America”
After Trump was elected, Ronnie Dunn said: “We may end up thinking he’s one of the better presidents to ever happen. You never know.” The song has been used by each of the last three presidents at campaign events. When Barack Obama started using the song, after George W. Bush had done it with the support of the band, Kix Brooks told Rolling Stone it was “Very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans.”
Journey: “Don’t Stop Believing”
The band’s members are split. Guitarist Neal Scheon is not a fan of Trump, and went public with his frustrations after his bandmates (singer Arnel Pineda, keyboardist Jonathan Cain and bassist Ross Valory) visited the White House in 2017. Spin.com reported at the time: “Journey May Break Up Because of Donald Trump.”
Neil Young: “Rockin’ in the Free World”
In 2018, Young asked the Trump campaign to stop using his music. Last year, he said “I hope people vote him out.”
Celine Dion: “My Heart Will Go On”
Dion, who was born in Canada, reportedly declined to perform at the 2016 inauguration.
Billy Joel: “Piano Man”
After Trump said that there were “very fine people on both sides” of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one counter-protester dead, Joel (who is Jewish) said he wore the Star on David on stage for a performance to protest the president.
Andrea Bocelli: “Time To Say Goodbye” and “Nessun Dorma”
The Italian opera singer, like several others already named, declined to perform at Trump’s inauguration.
Frank Sinatra: “My Way”
In 1990, Trump tried to renegotiate a contract with Sinatra after the singer was hired to play a show at Trump’s Atlantic City casino. Sinatra reportedly replied by telling the future president to “go (expletive) himself,” according to a book written by Sinatra’s then manager.
Phil Collins: “In The Air Tonight”
After the 2016 election, Collins told Billboard: “Ooh, it makes me mad. I just think Trump is an accident waiting to happen — a big accident waiting to happen.”
Tina Turner: “The Best”
It’s unclear how Turner feels about the president. A fake news headline claimed that she said in 2017: “This Thanksgiving is the first time in 8 years that I am thankful for our president, God bless him and his supporters.” Politifact rated the headline as “Pants on Fire!”
31 photos of thousands of Trump supporters (and Trump himself) rallying in Milwaukee in January 2020
Trump's Front Row Joes
A loud and friendly group of supporters of President Donald Trump, the Front Row Joes, pose outside UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Tuesday afternoon, awaiting the president's rally and speech there that night. For full coverage of the event go to JournalTimes.com or see Thursday's Journal Times.
Front Row Joes 2
Erica Smith, from Chicago, carries a "Trumps Front Row Joes" sign. The Front Row Joes are a group of Trump supporters known for their presence at the front of Trump rallies. At Milwaukee's UWM Panther Arena on Tuesday, they had VIP seats.
Trump merchandise for sale
Branded Donald Trump merchandise was sold by a variety of vendors who set up shop on Milwaukee's sidewalks before and after Tuesday's rally in Milwaukee.
Just a red cap
A Donald Trump supporter wears a hat that reads "RELAX ... JUST A RED CAP," a hat intended to pay homage to the iconic "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" hats synonymous with the Trump campaign. This photo was taken outside the UWM Panther Arena hours before the Trump rally began Tuesday in Milwaukee.
KEEP AMERICA GREAT on the stadium screen
The jumbo-tron inside the UWM Panther Arena on Tuesday stated, "Keep America Great."
Laughing at the rally
Together for Trump
Young adult Trump supporters chat before Milwaukee's campaign rally
Brad Parscale
Brad Parscale, Donald Trump's campaign manager and a celebrity in his own right, smiles before a campaign rally Tuesday inside Milwaukee's UWM Panther Arena.
Looking up
A young girl riding on a man's shoulders, both wearing pro-Donald Trump apparel, await the start of a campaign rally in Milwaukee's UWM Panther Arena Tuesday afternoon.
Waiting for Trump
Thousands of Donald Trump supporters filled the UWM Panther Arena on Tuesday. Some supporters were turned away when the arena, with a capacity of just under 13,000, filled up.
In the crowd
Trump supporters pose with signs on Tuesday at the Trump rally in Milwaukee.
Trump as the Terminator
Waving signs
More than two hours before any dignitaries spoke during Tuesday's Donald Trump campaign rally in Milwaukee's UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, fans were already participating in chants and cheers while waving signs.
Trump campaign signs
MAGA hat? Nope.
Crowd shot
Andrew Hitt at Trump Rally, Jan. 14
Andrew Hitt, committee chair for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, was the first speaker at the Donald Trump campaign rally at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, takes the stage
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, has become a close ally of President Donald Trump. He was one of five prominent Republicans who took the microphone at Tuesday's rally at the UWM Panther Arena.
Vice President Mike Pence at the mic
Looking up to Pence
Vice President Mike Pence takes the mic 2
When the president walks in the room, the cell phone cameras come out
It's him!
A crowd of people hold up their cell phones as President Donald Trump entered the UWM Panther Arena for a rally there on Tuesday night.
Donald Trump pointing
Donald Trump with a big smile in Milwaukee
President Donald Trump smiles widely while being cheered on by thousands of supporters at a campaign rally Tuesday at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
She's here to see the president
A young woman cheers during a Donald Trump campaign rally on Jan. 14 in Milwaukee.
Interruption
Several protesters in separate incidents were thrown out of Tuesday's Donald Trump campaign rally on Tuesday. Pictured here, a man with a sign reading "No Wars" interrupts the president, joined by several other men, including one wearing a Bernie Sanders t-shirt.
The who's who of Wisconsin Republicans turned out for Donald Trump's Milwaukee rally
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump asked local representatives from Wisconsin to come up on stage with him during his rally in Milwaukee. The group included U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, (far left) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester (pictured second from Trump's left).
Ron Johnson takes the mic from President Trump
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, speaks during a Donald Trump campaign rally Tuesday afternoon at the UWM Panther Arena while the president looks on.
Trump in Milwaukee
President Donald Trump addresses a packed UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee Tuesday evening, speaking for about an hour-and-a-half about a variety of topics as the 2020 presidential race heats up. Simultaneously in Des Moines, Iowa, a debate between Democratic frontrunners was being held. For more photos from the rally, go to journaltimes.com/gallery
