R.E.M. slam Fox News for playing “Losing My Religion”

Sep 07, 2012

This year’s U.S. Presidential Election is neck-and-neck, which means that the rest of the world gets to sit back and watch as the two parties get increasingly disingenuous in their attacks until it’s mid-October and they’re basically Photoshopping each other next to Pol Pot. Anyway, case in point: Republicans are charging that Democrats are godless heretics because their party platform didn’t sufficiently mention God, bathing in the blood of the Lamb, and touching the hem of Reagan’s garment. So Fox News, being Fox News, played R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” over their coverage of the Democratic National Convention, and the band are breathing fire over it. Here’s their statement from the band’s official website.

“R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” was used in the Fox News coverage of the Democratic National Convention last night. R.E.M. today, through its music publisher, Warner-Tamerlane Music, demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing its unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song. Michael Stipe said, ‘We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there.’”

Expect a response full of dull humor that will resonate with approximately 50% of America very soon.

R.E.M. – Losing My Religion (Video)