R.E.M. are less than pleased that Fox News used "Losing My Religion" to soundtrack their coverage of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday. A post on the band's website read:
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."
R.E.M. have long been supporters of liberal causes and the Democratic party. In the past decade, for example, they participated in the Vote for Change tour in support of Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, and in 2009, their song "You are the Everything" was used in an ad promoting government-assisted healthcare. More recently, Stipe contributed to Dave Eggers' 90 Days, 90 Reasons website in support of Obama's re-election campaign.