Latest news with #FeelingStrangelyFine
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Semisonic Condemns White House for Using ‘Closing Time' in Deportation Video
The band Semisonic has denounced the Trump administration for using their 1998 hit Closing Time in a White House social media post about deportations. The video featured a handcuffed man being searched at an airport while the song's lyrics, 'You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here,' played in the background. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency retweeted the post, adding: 'It's closing time. We are making America safe again.' However, Semisonic quickly responded, criticizing the video and its message. 'We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of Closing Time in any way,' the band wrote on Facebook. 'And no, they didn't ask. The song is about joy, possibilities, and hope—they have missed the point entirely.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post, stating on Monday that 'our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president.' Closing Time, a Grammy-nominated track from the band's album Feeling Strangely Fine, was a commercial success, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. Semisonic joins a long list of artists who have objected to the Trump administration's unauthorized use of their music. Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, and Céline Dion have all spoken out against similar incidents. In some cases, artists like Steven Tyler and Neil Young have even issued cease-and-desist letters. This latest controversy highlights ongoing tensions between musicians and political figures over the unauthorized use of music to push partisan messages.
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Band objects to Trump White House's use of 'Closing Time' in deportation video
Band objects to Trump White House's use of 'Closing Time' in deportation video Show Caption Hide Caption White House criticized by rock band Semisonic for using song in video The White House is under fire for using the rock band Semisonic's 1998 hit song "Closing Time" without permission in a deportation video. Minneapolis rock band Semisonic is protesting the White House's use of its song "Closing Time" in a video showing a handcuffed deportee posted on social media. The video, posted Monday on X – the social media platform owned by Elon Musk and previously known as Twitter – shows a shackled man being frisked followed by several men being led onto a plane with the words "Border Patrol" in the foreground. Lyrics from the song "Closing Time," are heard as the shackled man is shown: "Closing time, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." The lyrics are also written in the online post, along with a link to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection account on X. Then, as the video shows men climbing the aircraft steps, the lyrics, "I know who I want to take me home," are heard. The Customs and Border Protection retweeted the post on X adding the caption: 'It's closing time. We are making America safe again.' On Monday afternoon, Semisonic posted a note on its X account, saying: "We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of our song 'Closing Time' in any way. And no, they didn't ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely." Near 'constitutional crisis': Recapping legal showdown over deportations of Venezuelans The song, "Closing Time," is from the band's 1998 album "Feeling Strangely Fine." The single was No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart for five weeks and hit No. 8 on its Pop Airplay chart. When asked about the post on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, 'our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president,' The Associated Press reported. Last month, the White House posted another controversial video called "ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight,' which showed chains and manacles being laid out on a tarmac as a nearby jet is warming up. A man is shown being shackled and walking up the flight steps. Semisonic latest artist to object to Trump's use of music Semisonic is just the latest musician or band to object to the use of their music by the Trump administration or campaign. Other artists – some who have sent cease-and-desist letters or threatened suits - include Aerosmith, Beyoncé, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses, Elton John, Linkin Park, Panic! At The Disco, R.E.M., Rhianna, the Rolling Stones, The Smiths, The White Stripes, Pharrell Williams, Neil Young, and the estates of Prince, Sinéad O'Connor, and Tom Petty. "Closing Time" is written by Semisonic's Dan Wilson, who last month won a Grammy for best song written for visual media ("It Never Went Away' from 'American Symphony,' a documentary starring Jon Batiste and his wife Suleika Jaouad). The song was also nominated in 2024 for best original song Oscar. In 2024, Wilson won a Grammy for best country song for co-writing "White Horse," with Chris Stapleton. He also co-wrote and produced "Treacherous" for Taylor Swift's 2012 album "Red." This story was updated with a new promo image. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse. Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Semisonic denounces White House use of ‘Closing Time' in deportation video
The band Semisonic has said the Donald Trump White House 'missed the point' of its hit Closing Time 'entirely' when the administration used the Emmy-nominated song in a social media post showing a shackled person being deported. A statement from Semisonic also said the White House did not have permission to use the song in that manner. The White House's post included a video of a man handcuffed at the waist while being patted down at an airport, captioned with the song's signature lyrics: 'You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.' 'We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of our song 'Closing Time' in any way,' the band, which formed in Minneapolis, said in its own Facebook post after the video was circulated widely. 'And no, they didn't ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.' The US Customs and Border Protection agency retweeted the White House's post with the caption: 'It's closing time. We are making America safe again.' The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Monday that 'our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president' when asked about the song. Closing Time appeared on Semisonic's 1998 album Feeling Strangely Fine, which peaked at No 43 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for best rock song. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Semisonic joins a growing list of artists objecting to Trump's unauthorized use of their music, including Abba, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Panic! at the Disco, REM, Guns N' Roses, Céline Dion and Adele. In 2024, Dion's management and Sony Music Canada rebuked the unauthorized use of My Heart Will Go On at a Trump campaign rally in Montana. A statement – alluding to the hit's presence on the soundtrack of the 1997 film Titanic and published on her social media – read: 'In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.… And really, THAT song?' Rihanna had a similar response in 2018 when Don't Stop the Music played at a Trump rally. She said that her music should not be used for political purposes. Artists including Steven Tyler and Neil Young have sent cease-and-desist letters demanding their songs not be used at campaign events. In May 2023, Village People also sent a cease-and-desist letter and threatened legal action after Trump used their song Macho Man and other hit songs without their permission.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rock band Semisonic objects to White House using their song over video of shackled deportee
Celebrated US rock band Semisonic, who found international fame with the release of their second album 'Feeling Strangely Fine' in 1998, is pushing back at the White House for using their Grammy-nominated hit song 'Closing Time' off the same album over a social media post that shows a shackled deportee. The White House added the song in a post of a man with his wrists handcuffed to his waist as he is patted down at an airport. The video was captioned with the song's lyrics: 'You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.' 'We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of our song in any way. And no, they didn't ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely,' the band posted on X. Asked about the post Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said 'our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president.' US Customs and Border Protection retweeted the White House's post on X with the caption 'It's closing time. We are making America safe again.' The Trump administration shared the video two days after hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members were controversially deported by the White House to a supermax prison in El Salvador. US District Judge James E Boasberg had issued an order temporarily blocking the deportations on Saturday, but lawyers told him there were already two planes with immigrants in the air. Semisonic joins a long list of musicians who have objected to Trump's authorized use of their songs. These include ABBA, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Neil Young, R.E.M., Guns N' Roses, Woodkid and Beyoncé. Sinead O'Connor's estate previously issued Trump with cease-and-desist orders, while Isaac Hayes' estate sued him for 134 counts of copywright infringement. Céline Dion also condemned the use of her song from the Oscar-winning film Titanic, 'My Heart Will Go On', which was used at one of Trump's rallies. Dion's team questioned the song choice, writing: "And really, THAT song?' Another band which added their name to the ever-growing list of artists who have sued Trump over the illegal use of their songs in campaign videos was The White Stripes. Last year, the rock band highlighted the 'flagrant misappropriation' of their hit song 'Seven Nation Army'. Jack White captioned a copy of the legal complaint in an Instagram post with: 'This machine sues fascists.'
Euronews
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Rock band objects to White House use of song over deportee video
Celebrated US rock band Semisonic, who found international fame with the release of their second album 'Feeling Strangely Fine' in 1998, is pushing back at the White House for using their Grammy-nominated hit song 'Closing Time' off the same album over a social media post that shows a shackled deportee. The White House added the song in a post of a man with his wrists handcuffed to his waist as he is patted down at an airport. The video was captioned with the song's lyrics: 'You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.' 'We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of our song in any way. And no, they didn't ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely,' the band posted on X. Asked about the post Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said 'our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president.' US Customs and Border Protection retweeted the White House's post on X with the caption 'It's closing time. We are making America safe again.' The Trump administration shared the video two days after hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members were controversially deported by the White House to a supermax prison in El Salvador. US District Judge James E Boasberg had issued an order temporarily blocking the deportations on Saturday, but lawyers told him there were already two planes with immigrants in the air. Semisonic joins a long list of musicians who have objected to Trump's authorized use of their songs. These include ABBA, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Neil Young, R.E.M., Guns N' Roses, Woodkid and Beyoncé. Sinead O'Connor's estate previously issued Trump with cease-and-desist orders, while Isaac Hayes' estate sued him for 134 counts of copywright infringement. Céline Dion also condemned the use of her song from the Oscar-winning film Titanic, 'My Heart Will Go On', which was used at one of Trump's rallies. Dion's team questioned the song choice, writing: "And really, THAT song?' Another band which added their name to the ever-growing list of artists who have sued Trump over the illegal use of their songs in campaign videos was The White Stripes. Last year, the rock band highlighted the 'flagrant misappropriation' of their hit song 'Seven Nation Army'. Jack White captioned a copy of the legal complaint in an Instagram post with: 'This machine sues fascists.' Last week, the Italian city of Turin hosted the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games, welcoming athletes with intellectual disabilities from over 100 different countries to compete on a global stage. But the spirit of inclusion didn't stop at just sports. Running alongside the Games, a celebration of creativity, inclusion and self-expression launched at the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, a non-profit contemporary art museum founded by collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in 1995. Titled When Attitudes Take Form, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the extraordinary talents of thirteen different artists with intellectual disabilities from the Martin and Rebecca Eisenberg Collection. The Eisenbergs, long-time champions of artists with disabilities, have dedicated their collection to amplifying voices that are often overlooked in the art world. In collaboration with renowned New York curator Matthew Higgs, they have assembled a selection of works that challenge perceptions and celebrate individuality. 'For many years, the Eisenbergs have been collectors of incredible contemporary paintings in New York City. They have a daughter, Jesse, who has learning difficulties, and they've been deeply involved with curators who, about twenty years ago, began profiling artists with similar challenges,' Higgs told Euronews Culture at the opening night of the exhibition. He added: 'Over time, they built an exceptional collection of this work. Not only have they collected these pieces, but they've also actively promoted them and donated them to major institutions. The artists featured here are also represented in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and many other renowned institutions.' The artists in the show have a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including nonverbal autism, schizophrenia, and cognitive impairments, each shaping their artistic output. 'One of the key aspects of the neuro-divergent community is its diversity, much like any other community. Each artist has their own techniques, subject matter, approach to art, preferred scale, and choice of materials. Often, they refine a technique and a creative process that evolves over time," Higgs explained. Dan Miller, an artist on the autism spectrum and who experiences communication challenges, embraces the power of repetition. His work features a dizzying array of words, letters, names, and numbers, layered into a chaotic yet mesmerising abstraction reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's style. When Attitudes Take Form showcases three of his brilliant works. Similarly, Nnena Kalu's practice is also rooted in repetition and layering. She has been a part of ActionSpace, a London-based organisation supporting artists with learning disabilities, since 1999, and her large-scale installations have gained international recognition. Many of the artists featured in the show have benefited from the rise of dedicated art spaces like ActionSpace that nurture and support neuro-divergent and intellectually disabled artists. Kalu's drawings and paintings are often produced in pairs, echoing and complimenting one another. One of the exhibition's highlights is her diptych piece Drawing 26, which exemplifies her signature approach to mark-making through movement and repetition. The work features two hypnotic, swirling, vortex-like forms, created in layered lines of black, blue, and purple against a bold yellow background. For some artists in the show, art is a means to challenge and redefine societal narratives. The late Derrick Alexis Coard, who lived with schizoaffective disorder, used his work to explore themes of Black masculinity, spirituality and faith. A piece spotlighted in the show titled The Vision of Healing features a divine, bearded figure gazing forwards, as a piercing beam of orange light erupts from his eye. Lush, vibrant greenery and blooming flowers surround his form, connecting the spiritual with the natural world. There's also the wonderfully vibrant work of William Scott, an Oakland-based artist with autism and schizophrenia, who works at Creative Growth, one of the oldest and largest art centres for people with disabilities in the world. Describing himself as an architect, his art is deeply rooted in his own life, with his paintings depicting family members and church congregants to actors, musicians, and civil rights leaders. In much of his work he envisions a utopian San Francisco, 'Praise Frisco,' proposing new neighbourhoods, buildings, and community centres. The exceptional talent of the artists in this exhibition is undeniable. But despite this, disabled people continue to be significantly underrepresented across the arts. A 2023 report commissioned by the British Council revealed that 48% of European arts organisations surveyed presented work by disabled artists less than once a year, while 23% never did so at all. Higgs believes that exhibitions like When Attitudes Take Form play a vital role in breaking down these barriers in the art world. 'The issue for neuro-divergent individuals is often prejudice and ignorance. One way to overcome this is by making their voices and perspectives more visible. Art is a powerful vehicle for this because of its universal appeal." "One of the most important aspects of this exhibition is that it tells the story of champions. Not only the artists themselves but also the collectors who truly championed this work. These collectors worked tirelessly to navigate the art world, the museum world, and the gallery world, advocating for this art and saying, "This work is absolutely worth seeing." When Attitudes Take Form runs until 27 April 2025 at Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Turin, Italy.
