Neil Young on Donald Trump: ‘I Make My Music for People Not for Candidates’
Neil Young and his iconic anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World” are in the headlines this week after Donald Trump used the the song to announce his Republican presidential candidacy without the progressive musician’s permission.
Now Young is taking this opportunity to voice his frustrations over the United States political system, as well as subtly promote his new album, The Monsanto Years.
In an open letter to fans on Facebook Wednesday, Young addressed Trump’s “Rockin in the Free World” use and reiterated he had not given permission for it. He also clarified the circumstances of a photograph of he and Trump that had been circulating, stating it had been taken during a meeting when he was trying to raise funds for his Pono music service. But mostly, he wrote about the current American state of affairs.
“I am Canadian and I don’t vote in the United States, but more importantly I don’t like the current political system in the USA and some other countries,” he wrote. “Increasingly Democracy has been hijacked by corporate interests. The money needed to run for office, the money spent on lobbying by special interests, the ever increasing economic disparity and the well funded legislative decisions all favor corporate interests over the people’s.”
Young went on to take aim at the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, saying it is proof of corruption and that corporations’ influence has gotten out of control.
“I do not trust self serving misinformation coming from corporations and their media trolls,” he continued. “I do not trust politicians who are taking millions from those corporations either. I trust people. So I make my music for people not for candidates.”
Read the full letter below:
Yesterday my song “Rockin in the Free World” was used in a announcement for a U.S. presidential candidate without my permission.
A picture of me with this candidate was also circulated in conjunction with this announcement but It was a photograph taken during a meeting when I was trying to raise funds for Pono, my online high resolution music service.
Music is a universal language. so I am glad that so many people with varying beliefs get enjoyment from my music, even if they don’t share my beliefs.
But had I been asked to allow my music to be used for a candidate – I would have said no.
I am Canadian and I don’t vote in the United States, but more importantly I don’t like the current political system in the USA and some other countries. Increasingly Democracy has been hijacked by corporate interests. The money needed to run for office, the money spent on lobbying by special interests, the ever increasing economic disparity and the well funded legislative decisions all favor corporate interests over the people’s.
The Citizens United Supreme Court ruling is proof of this corruption as well as are the proposed trade deals which would further compromise our rights.
These Corporations were originally created to serve us but if we don’t appropriately prioritize they will destroy us. Corporations don’t have children. They don’t have feelings or soul. They don’t depend on uncontaminated water, clean air or healthy food to survive. They are beholden to one thing – the bottom line.
I choose to speak Truth to this Economic Power. When I speak out on corporations hurting the common man or the environment or other species, I expect a well financed disinformation campaign to be aimed my way.
Such is the case with the reaction to my new album The Monsanto Years, which covers many of these issues. I support those bringing these issues to light and those who fight for their rights like Freedom of Choice.
But Freedom of Choice is meaningless without knowledge.
Thats why its crucial we all get engaged and get informed.
That’s why GMO labeling matters. Mothers need to know what they are feeding their children. They need freedom to make educated choices at the market. When the people have voted for labeling, as they have in Vermont, they need our support when they are fighting these corporate interests trying to reverse the laws they have voted for and passed in the democratic process.
I do not trust self serving misinformation coming from corporations and their media trolls. I do not trust politicians who are taking millions from those corporations either. I trust people. So I make my music for people not for candidates.
Keep on Rockin in the Free World.
Neil Young
