When politicians grab your music without asking, they’re essentially stealing your voice. Nancy Wilson feels this way and learned this lesson again on June 14, 2025, when Heart‘s “Barracuda” blared through speakers at Trump’s military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary—without permission, without context, and definitely without her blessing.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame responded publicly, stating that the song “was never intended for political use” and emphasizing her deep respect for military service as the daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps major. She clearly distinguished between honoring military sacrifice and appropriating someone else’s artistic creation for political theater.
“Earlier today,” Wilson stated on social media, “during a parade organized by President Donald Trump to support our nation’s military, the song ‘Barracuda’ by Heart was played without our permission or authorization.”
Wilson crafted that driving guitar riff, and her sister Ann delivered those powerful vocals as a response to their experiences with exploitation, not as a soundtrack for parades. This isn’t Wilson’s first battle over musical appropriation. Heart issued a cease-and-desist to Sarah Palin’s campaign in 2008 for using the same song.
The mechanics of these disputes reveal industry complexities most fans never see. Performance rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI handle blanket licensing for public events, but these agreements don’t cover political endorsement implications. When artists object, they’re fighting perception battles that streaming platforms and licensing bodies aren’t equipped to resolve, leaving musicians to wage public relations wars over their artistic intent. And when those battles spill onto the stage, they become the kind of onstage freakouts fans never forget.
Wilson’s stance represents more than wounded artistic pride—it’s about maintaining control over creative expression. Her response reinforces that artists have the right to determine how their work represents them, especially when political messages conflict with their values. And despite her recent health challenges, the rescheduled 2025 tour proves she’s still fighting for her voice, on stage and off.
The solution remains straightforward: ask permission, respect the answer, and find music that aligns with your message. Revolutionary concept.
