use of Viva La Vida by Dutch rightwing political party VVD

[koho]

Hey from Holland …
I sent an email to the Coldplay management about this but am not getting a reply.
Given the band’s endorsements of, say, John Kerry, Barack Obama and initiatives like Make Poverty History, I am very (very) surprised that Coldplay’s Viva La Vida is used during congresses and promo spots of Holland’s biggest political party, the ruling rightwing VVD.

These things do not match, to me. The VVD is on the conservative/right side of the Dutch political spectrum, and currently ruling (its leader Mark Rutte is prime minister). The (minority) government is on a leash by the populist rightwing PVV, led by islamophobe Geert Wilders. It is butchering the arts; it is thinking about severely axing third world relief, its environmental policy is non-existent (the only goal it has money for is roads, roads, roads), its god is Money.

Suffice to say I am not a fan. What can you do though, they are the biggest party. Still, for a biggest party, like that, to use a Coldplay song and have its suits and ties cheer along to that … it’s in essence fine by me, BUT it does now link Coldplay in Holland with the VVD, and I very much doubt the band or its management has any knowledge of this.

It’s right there at Wikipedia too, the Dutch version of it. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viva_la_Vida_(single)
The last bit, under Trivia, it says “Het nummer wordt regelmatig gebruikt door de VVD tijdens campagnes en congressen”. Meaning, “the song is regularly used by the VVD during campaigns and congresses”.

They are the Dutch equivalent of the Tories; the Dutch equivalent of the Republicans, the very existence of their current minority government is made possible by populist xenophobe Geert Wilders’ PVV.

As Coldplay’s management does not reply, I post it here. Is Coldplay willingly linked with this rightwing political party? If I were a songwriter with a political let’s say “progressive” and green heart, I’d be very miffed if my song would be used without permission by those who would essentially be my very political enemies.

Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA comes to mind, used by Reagan in the 80’s.

Koen

[robsmith7]

Of course they're not linked to the party. It's just a song being played through a set of speakers at the end of the day.

[enzovandijk]

Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the 'world'

[Blue Nails]

I don't like them using that song either. :shrug:

[JackColdplay]

What political party would you imagine Coldplay vote for...?

[Coeurli]

^don't care, don't know, don't wanna know...

[robsmith7]

What political party would you imagine Coldplay vote for...?

Actually this is something I've always wondered! I'm pretty sure Chris would have had a Conservative upbringing, but obviously as a band they've championed somewhat progressive causes, so I'd probably say the Liberal Democrats. I just hope it's not the Green Party! :embarrassed:

Although actually they probably don't vote...

[JackColdplay]

Actually this is something I've always wondered! I'm pretty sure Chris would have had a Conservative upbringing, but obviously as a band they've championed somewhat progressive causes, so I'd probably say the Liberal Democrats. I just hope it's not the Green Party! :embarrassed:

Although actually they probably don't vote...

I've always been worried that they're tories (don't want to start a political debate with anyone!).

[koho]

Let me make clear that I am not trying to start a political debate and it's not about what the band members are voting. It's just the use of this specific song, linking the band to a specific party. In Holland (for what it's worth).
http://youtu.be/bvhR4l88ydg for instance.
No it's not just "a" song on the speakers, it's a theme tune. They're using it at their congresses when all the bigwigs are getting their ovations. They're using it for TV spots. When the VVD has permission to use this as their own, fine. But I doubt it. I'm just the messenger, but find it toe curling that the management doesn't even bother to acknowledge receipt of my enquiry. Which I believe is in THEIR interest, not mine.

[Coeurli]

^Maybe if you also email the Oracle ? (it's another person close to the band, maybe it would be a way to alarm them more ?) I find it weird too that they wouldn't even "acknowledge receipt of [your] enquiry" :thinking:
Maybe they're afraid to start some sort of polemic and prefer keeping it quiet...but no it's weird..

[robsmith7]

I've always been worried that they're tories (don't want to start a political debate with anyone!).

I'd doubt it to be honest. Ricky Gervais once did a video with Chris, you may have seen it, where he joked that Chris had made a speech at the Conservative Party Conference. He was saying loads of other things which were obviously the opposite of the case..like Chris, you famously named your child after the famous computer brand! :D

[koho]

It bugs me, again. Again in Holland there is a VVD congress. Again I see tweets by VVD people saying, for instance (a "House of Representatives" member) @ArdvanderSteur "Nog steeds rillingen bij Coldplay's nummer viva la vida #vvdbd #vvdbrabantdag ". ("still shivers down my spine with Coldplay's" -etc).

So it is stll the rightwing conservative party's lead theme.

Do they know this? Does the band approve? Does their management know? I sent an email and there wasn't even the decency to reply to me. Hey it's not MY song but if it were, I'd be pissed off. Not just because I am a lefty and proud of it. But because it uis used by a (as in ANY) political party. That associates Coldplay with this party. If they want to, fine. If it troubles them, let them do something about it.
The VVD today announced one of its main goals for the next elections (September). It's the axing of the biggest part of third world relief budget. Main news today in Holland. So they can keep on driving their BMW's. Coldplay's their soundtrack. I know many many bands who would be bugged by that.

I'm just the messenger OK.

[koho]

Of course they're not linked to the party. It's just a song being played through a set of speakers at the end of the day.

If it's just A song, fine. But it is THE song. Of course Coldplay is not linked to a rightwing Dutch party. I'm sure they don't know. But I hope they do care.

If I'd transfer this to a USA situation, what if the Tea Party nicks your song and makes it their theme tune? It colours the band whether they want it or not.
What if the Greek neo fascist party decides they use the Beatles Ob-la-di Ob-la-da as their theme song. Would Paul be happy about that?

[koho]

To illustrate my point, here's a little tweet exchange from 12 June. One @IlseSvdV writes that she plays Viva la Vida.

Then one @Attiemeemee responds:
@IlseSvdV Coldplay - Viva La Vida = VVD muziek : )

followed by @IlseSvdV who responds:
@Attiemeemee Omg, nou is het image van het nummer verneukt. Bedankt vvd!

Meaning: Omg, now the song's image is fucked up. Thanks VVD!

And that nails it. Well do with that what you want. Again the management doesn't care because they don't respond.
One can tweet to @VVD tho'.

It may mean nothing to most of you if you're not in Holland I guess.

[lifeincoldplaycolor]

dude i get you i did the same when the communist party used clocks as their background song it totally made me wanna go and murder them all
Spot electoral al lui Igor Dodon (nr.2) | Alegeri 2011 - YouTube

[koho]

for instance:

http://youtu.be/bvhR4l88ydg

VVD campaign film from 2011. Nice soundtrack.
Used by any congress of theirs, as I think opener and ending theme.

[HesterJulia#42]

^:nod:

[PrincessofChina]

I'm Dutch and I honestly don't care if they play Viva la Vida. I just think it's the best way possible to open or end your congress :lol:

I really don't think that people will link Coldplay to the VVD, at least I don't. Coldplay isn't Dutch, VLV is just one of their most memorable songs and it was a big hit here. I wouldn't really make a big deal out of it. :)

[koho]

I can understand if a-political people are not bugged by this.
I'm just pointing this out to those who do care.
Here, another one.
http://youtu.be/0KzN2p8K-h8

And I am absolutely certain there are well known bands out there who would be so offended by the use of their songs. I don't know if Coldplay's amongst them. It's their music.
If it's not the political motive though (this is the age of apathy after all) I would at least be bugged about copyright.

[PrincessofChina]

I agree with you on the copyright argument. You sent it to their management.. now it's up to them to work on it!:)

[koho]

Okay, on Twitter this VVD "House of Representatives" member (called De Tweede Kamer here in Holland) Ard van der Steur now claims:

@ArdvanderSteur tweets:
Sinds 2010 is Coldplay onze campagnesong leverancier!
Meaning Since 2010 Coldplay is our campaignsong supplier!

Ah well, that's alright then. That's official? :\

---

Another interesting interchange between this guy and someone else questioning the VVD's use of the song goes:

@slooprechts tweets
@ArdvanderSteur Ik denk dat Coldplay koude rillingen van woede krijgt als ze weten dat hun nummer door de VVD wordt misbruikt.
Meaning I think Coldplay gets cold shivers of anger when they get to know their song is mis-used by the VVD

Our friend Ard replies:
@slooprechts Niet als Coldplay onze standpunten kent over het auteursrecht
Meaning Not if Coldplay knows our views about copyright

Hello ...?

[Tash]

I'm Dutch and I honestly don't care if they play Viva la Vida. I just think it's the best way possible to open or end your congress :lol:

I really don't think that people will link Coldplay to the VVD, at least I don't. Coldplay isn't Dutch, VLV is just one of their most memorable songs and it was a big hit here. I wouldn't really make a big deal out of it. :)

THIS!

[koho]

O well, it's even right there in the Dutch Wikipedia page about Viva La Vida:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viva_la_vida_(single)
Scroll down to Trivia
Het nummer wordt regelmatig gebruikt door de VVD tijdens campagnes en congressen

Meaning: The song Is regularly used by the VVD during campaigns and congresses.

See what I mean? I'd be concerned. I am not attacking those who don't give a toss about this. I'm pointing it out to those who do.

Here, even found an ANTI -VVD clip on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/PdS1yvZg_mc
The VVD viewpoints are sonically illustrated by ... yup.
That's because this song is synonymous with this political party.

[Tash]

We get the point, thanks.

[PrincessofChina]

'@slooprechts?' I think your Twitter account photo is pretty tasteless. Death notices are not something you can joke around with imo.

Other than that, thanks for pointing out the issue. I hope Coldplay's management will do something if the music is used wrongfully in terms of copyright.

[LoryABjerre]

I've always been worried that they're tories (don't want to start a political debate with anyone!).

Anyway. Coldplay should be neutral as Switzerland therefore prohibit all relationship or political party affiliation ?

I had already made a thread, just annoyed about Coldplay and politics.
http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92276

importante to say is that the song is anyway Roman.
Roman politics and, therefore invasions. will be detrimental to their campaign steal the plans of attack of another country yes Italy .

not know sound of curses
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become



you know after viva la vida ago Reign of Love


this song referance to destroy all the political world illuminatis false is a blasphemy one way to interpret this song .
Coldplay - Politik - YouTube

[koho]

'@slooprechts?' I think your Twitter account photo is pretty tasteless.

May I stress that that is not my Twitter account. I just noticed those tweets and as they proved a point, I copied and pasted it here. My twitter account is my name here, with a @ in front ;-)

[PrincessofChina]

OK :)