Last night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially accepted the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention. As Walz finished his speech, Neil Young’s pissed-off 1989 anthem “Rockin’ In The Free World” blared from the arena’s speakers. This is nothing new. “Rockin’ In The Free World” is a staple of political events, even if its lyrics paint a decidedly bleak picture of the free world. But this time, something was different: Neil Young actually approved the use of the song.
“Health care and housing are human rights. And the government stay the hell out of your bedroom!” Walz ends his DNC speech on a rousing note, and the music that follows is Neil Young’s “Keep On Rocking in the Free World,” in my opinion one of the best rock songs of all time. pic.twitter.com/kI04Bk3tMp
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) 22 August 2024
Neil Young has never been shy about his political leanings. In 2020, Young sued Donald Trump to stop him from using “Rockin’ In The Free World” at campaign rallies. (Young had previously written that he was upset about the use of the song, but the Trump campaign didn’t stop using it.) Last night was different. According to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Walz, a huge classic rock fan, chose “Rockin’ In The Free World” as his song and Neil Young personally approved it. Unlike DJ Snake, Neil Young is fine with his song being played at a political convention as long as it doesn’t incorrect political convention.
Neil Young personally gave the Harris-Walz campaign permission to use his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” as Walz left the stage tonight, a campaign official said. (Walz personally selected the song because it is one of his favorites.)
Young had previously sued the Trump campaign to prevent it from using …— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) 22 August 2024
“Rockin In The Free World” has remained in the political space over the years; Secretary of State Antony Blinken covered the song in a bar in Kiev a few months ago. Last night, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Maren Morris performed at the DNC. (Jason Isbell and Lil Jon performed on previous nights.) Tonight, Pink will perform there.
