You gotta Poll with it...
Simon Harris did it..but some musicians rage at their songs being used for votes
NEW Taoiseach Simon Harris may be Ireland’s youngest ever leader but his theme tune is a 1970s rock classic.
The 37-year-old arrived for his first Fine Gael Ard Fheis as Taoiseach to the sound of You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet by Bachmanturner Overdrive.
The song was used to welcome Harris at the conference, after he had quoted its title in an interview about taking over from Leo Varadkar.
Harris joins the politicians who have used songs to usher in a new era, or to boost their campaigns.
Many caused controversy – with bands taking particular umbrage when Donald Trump used their music.
The late Tom Petty once sent George W Bush a “cease and desist” letter for using his hit song I Won’t Back Down.
However, Harris seems to have got away without censure from Bachmanturner Overdrive.
A spokesperson for the Canadian four-piece outfit told the Irish Mirror: “Songwriter Randy Bachman was not consulted on this use, and has no comment.”
We look back at some of the most famous songs used as political themes.
TONY BLAIR... D:REAM, THINGS
CAN ONLY GET BETTER
ONE of the most successful political theme tunes was written by Derry man Peter Cunnah, for his band D:ream.
The uplifting beat, positive message and catchy tune of 1993 club hit Things Can Only Get Better made it perfect for a campaign.
It was credited with helping UK’S Labour, with leader Tony Blair, win the 1997 election.
However, Cunnah, who now lives in Donegal, has since said he regrets allowing the hit song to be made political.
He said: “Most of us were behind Tony Blair in 1997, but then a few years later he took us to war in Iraq, so I wouldn’t have any of my music associated with a political party again.
“No one is ever going to cover the song because of its association with Labour, so in a way I shot myself in the foot by allowing them to use it.”