Music

Tom Petty tells politician Michele Bachmann to stop using his song

Published Wednesday, Jun 29 2011, 16:23 BST | By Justin Harp | Add comment

Tom Petty is reportedly attempting to block US Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann from utilising his hit 'American Girl' as one of her campaign anthems.

Bachmann has played 'American Girl' while exiting the stage during a series of recent campaign stops, allegedly upsetting the politically-active Petty.

Petty's manager is currently in the midst of drafting a 'cease and desist' order to prevent Bachmann from further appropriating the song for political purposes, NBC News reports.

This apparent protest would prove to be merely the latest in a series of attempts by Petty to stop his music from being used by politicians whom he opposes.

In 2000, the Heartbreakers frontman objected to George W Bush using 'I Won't Back Down' at political rallies. The Bush campaign eventually yielded to Petty's wishes and refrained from playing the song during their events.

Hillary Clinton, however, was permitted by Petty to use 'American Girl' during her bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

No public confirmation or denial of the report has yet come from Petty's manager.

Petty was recently named alongside U2, Lady GaGa and Bon Jovi on Forbes' list of the music business' richest performers.

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Watch Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers perform 'American Girl' below: