Simone Lawson
Don't Stop Believin' is a song by the band Journey that has been used in several political campaigns, including that of Hillary Clinton, who used it in a Sopranos spoof, and Donald Trump, who played it during a stop at Mt. Rushmore. The song's writer, Steve Perry, has stated his opposition to his song being used in political campaigns, expressing his desire for music to remain open and free. Another song with the same title, Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac, was used as the theme song for Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | "Don't Stop Believin" |
| Artist | Journey |
| Writer | Steve Perry |
| Used By | Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump |
| Year | 2010 |
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What You'll Learn
Hillary Clinton's use of the song in her campaign
Hillary Clinton's use of the song "Don't Stop Believin'" in her campaign has been a memorable aspect of her political career. Clinton used the song in a "Sopranos" spoof during her campaign drive, adding a touch of showbiz and humour to her political image. The song's use in the spoof was noted by Steve Perry, who had mixed feelings about a political party associating themselves with a song that he believed should remain "open and free and not be hijacked."
Clinton's choice of "Don't Stop Believin'" as a campaign song sparked varying reactions. Some, like Steve Perry, felt it was not the right choice, while others may have found it appealing. The song has had a resurgence in popular culture, appearing in shows like "Monster" and "Laguna Beach" and even being adopted by the White Sox team.
Clinton's use of the song in her campaign drive demonstrates the importance of connecting with voters through entertainment and lightheartedness. It showcases a willingness to engage with popular culture and adapt to the evolving nature of political campaigns. By incorporating a well-known song, Clinton likely aimed to create a memorable and relatable connection with voters.
The specific impact of Clinton's use of "Don't Stop Believin'" on her campaign outcomes is unknown. However, the song's appearance in her "Sopranos" spoof and its association with her campaign have certainly left a mark on popular culture. The song's message of perseverance and optimism aligns with the themes often present in political campaigns, where candidates encourage voters to believe in their ability to create change.
Overall, Hillary Clinton's use of "Don't Stop Believin'" in her campaign reflects a strategic decision to engage with voters through entertainment and a demonstration of her willingness to embrace popular culture.
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Steve Perry's disapproval of the song's use in politics
Steve Perry, the former lead singer of the rock band Journey, has expressed his disapproval of his song "Don't Stop Believin'" being used in political campaigns. Perry stated that he
In an interview with Newsweek, Perry shared his thoughts on Hillary Clinton's use of "Don't Stop Believin'" in her 2010 presidential campaign. While he did not explicitly state his political affiliation, Perry suggested that he was not comfortable with the idea of a political party associating itself with his song. He believed that music should remain "open and free" and not be "hijacked" by political campaigns.
Perry's disapproval of "Don't Stop Believin'" in politics was also evident in his reaction to Donald Trump's use of the song during his presidential campaign. In a tweet, Perry wrote, "As one of the songwriters of 'Don't Stop Believin', I have not given permission to any political candidate to use this song!" This statement reaffirmed his stance against the song being co-opted by political campaigns.
In addition to his concerns about the politicization of his music, Perry has also faced challenges with his former bandmates over song trademarks. In 2023, Perry took legal action to block his former Journey bandmates, Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon, from owning merchandise trademarks on the names of the band's biggest hits, including "Don't Stop Believin". The dispute highlighted ongoing tensions and differences between Perry and his former bandmates regarding the control and association with the band's music.
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Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign theme song
In 1992, Bill Clinton chose "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac as his presidential campaign theme song. The song, written by Christine McVie, was initially recorded in 1976 and released as a single in 1977, peaking at No. 32 in the UK and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. "Don't Stop" is a pop-rock song that reflected McVie's feelings after her separation from Fleetwood Mac's bass guitarist, John McVie, after eight years of marriage. The upbeat and buoyant rhythm of the song, with its catchy chorus, made it a perfect choice for a campaign song, appealing to Clinton's fellow baby boomers.
Clinton's staff had initially considered more contemporary songs, such as Garth Brooks' "We Shall Be Free." However, Clinton settled on "Don't Stop" because he approved of its message. The song was played during the final night of the 1992 Democratic National Convention, and upon winning the election, Clinton persuaded Fleetwood Mac to perform it at his inaugural ball in 1993. The song's use in Clinton's campaign gave it a new layer of political significance and showcased how music can be effectively harnessed to engage and energize voters.
The choice of "Don't Stop" as Clinton's campaign theme song also highlights the importance of tailoring the selection to align with the candidate's image and message. While the song's original context was personal and emotional, Clinton co-opted its message of resilience and optimism to resonate with his campaign's themes. This strategic use of music in politics demonstrates how a well-known song can be leveraged to enhance a candidate's appeal and connect with voters on an emotional level.
Interestingly, the use of "Don't Stop" in Clinton's campaign also had a lasting impact on the song's legacy. After the 1993 performance by Fleetwood Mac at Clinton's inaugural ball, the band's Greatest Hits album jumped from number 30 to number 11 on the Catalog Albums Chart. This showcases how the intersection of music and politics can create a mutually beneficial relationship, with the song gaining renewed popularity and Clinton's campaign benefiting from the song's catchy and uplifting spirit.
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The song's boost in popularity after The Sopranos finale
The series finale of *The Sopranos* in 2007 included the song "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. The song plays during the final scene, in which Tony is sitting at a booth in a diner, waiting for his family, and trying to pick a song from the jukebox. The song's refrain "It goes on and on, and on, and on" is particularly apt in the context of Tony's life and the ambiguous ending of the show, which cuts to black as "Don't Stop Believin'" plays out, leaving viewers to wonder about Tony's fate.
The song choice in the finale has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation. Some fans took the abrupt ending as a sign that Tony, a depressed mobster, was killed, while others interpreted the song as a message of hope, reflecting the broader theme of the American Dream that runs throughout the series. Show creator David Chase has stated that the key reason for using "Don't Stop Believin'" was the music, which allowed for cuts between Tony and the door, and set a suspenseful, purposeful energy and quickening sense of dread.
The use of "Don't Stop Believin'" in the finale of *The Sopranos* also had a significant impact on the song's popularity. Steve Perry, the singer of the song, noted that the song's appearance in the finale caused sales of the band's greatest hits album to jump by 98%, an unprecedented increase. This boost in popularity further solidified the association between the song and the show, with "Don't Stop Believin'" becoming forever linked to *The Sopranos* in the minds of many fans.
The song's appearance in *The Sopranos* finale also contributed to its cultural resonance and longevity. More than a decade later, viewers are still discussing the finale and the role the song played in shaping its impact. The song's placement in such a pivotal moment in one of the most acclaimed television series of all time ensured its enduring legacy and cemented its place in popular culture.
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The song's use by the White Sox
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey is perhaps the most well-known song associated with the White Sox. The song was played before and after each game during their World Series-winning campaign. The tradition of playing the song at games began after the team was at a karaoke bar that played the song following a few losses. The team started singing it, and they won their next game.
The song has also been used in political campaigns, most notably by Hillary Clinton in her "Sopranos" spoof. Steve Perry, the singer of "Don't Stop Believin'", was ambivalent about the song's use in Clinton's campaign, stating that he values the freedom and universality of music, which can be compromised when associated with a political party.
Other songs played at White Sox games include "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC, "Go Go White Sox", and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", which is played during the seventh inning of every baseball game across the country.
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Frequently asked questions
"Don't Stop Believin" is not the name of a political campaign but a song by the band Journey. The song has been used in multiple political campaigns, including Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's.
"Don't Stop" is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. The song was used as the theme music for Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.
Steve Perry, the singer of "Don't Stop Believin", stated that he did not want his song to be used in political campaigns. He also mentioned that he did not like the idea of a political party associating themselves with a piece of music that is free and for everyone.
Yes, in addition to Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's campaigns, the song was also used in a Sopranos spoof by Hillary Clinton and in a campaign song for the White Sox.
