Celine Dion's team discovered Trump’s latest campaign rally in Montana featured 'My Heart Will Go On,' prompting Dion to quip, '...And really, THAT song?' while emphasizing she doesn’t endorse the use.

This unauthorized use of the Titanic theme song at Trump's Bozeman rally marks the latest in an ongoing saga of musicians objecting to their work being commandeered for political events without permission. Dion's team and Sony Music Entertainment Canada swiftly issued statements distancing the singer from any endorsement of the former president, echoing similar grievances from artists like The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, and Neil Young, who've all faced unsolicited musical cameo at Trump's events.

Celine Dion's management team clarified on Saturday that neither the songstress nor her label had granted any permission for 'My Heart Will Go On' to be played at the rally. Instead, they were as surprised as anyone when they discovered the hit song resonating through the loudspeakers at Trump's Friday evening event in Bozeman, Montana. In a cheeky remark, Dion commented, '...And really, THAT song?'

Adding a touch of humor, Dion herself seemed bemused by the song choice, sarcastically questioning, '...And really, THAT song?' The ballad, synonymous with the 1997 film 'Titanic,' seemed an odd pick for a political rally, much like choosing a rubber ducky for a shark tank.

Other musicians have found themselves in similar predicaments with Trump using their music without permission. Renowned artists like The Rolling Stones, Adele, Neil Young, and Steven Tyler have publicly objected to their tunes being used to amp up the crowds at Trump rallies. Neil Young feels like he's starring in a surreal performance art piece whenever 'Rockin' in the Free World' is blasted.

Dion's management reiterated that the singer does not endorse any political use of her song, aligning her with a list of artists who've taken action to protect their musical integrity. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, for instance, sent Trump a sternly worded letter in 2018, commanding him to cease and desist from playing Aerosmith tracks.

To ensure the legality of music use at public events, political campaigns are typically required to obtain a public performance license from organizations such as Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) or the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). However, it appears this minor detail was overlooked in the case of the Bozeman rally.

Venues hosting such events often have blanket licensing agreements that technically allow them to play certain music. However, this doesn't always translate to endorsements from the artists whose works are featured. The gap between legal and ethical considerations has repeatedly opened a minefield for campaigns. It's like waving a legal permission slip saying 'play me' in front of an artist who is absolutely facepalming.

Taking a stroll down memory lane, Trump's affinity for appropriating music without express consent isn't new. During his first presidential campaign in 2016, artists like The Rolling Stones and Steven Tyler were already issuing formal demands to desist. If picketing could be scored to a soundtrack, it would likely sound a lot like The Rolling Stones' greatest hits.

In addition to Dion's recent incident, other notable objections have come from music royalties. Think Rihanna’s cease-and-desist letter after a rally-sourced reimagining of 'Don't Stop The Music,' or Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s notice preventing the use of anything Black Sabbath-related. Who knew synth-heavy outros and town hall debates could clash so fabulously?

Celine Dion recently found herself in the spotlight again, following her stiff person syndrome (SPS) diagnosis in 2022. Perhaps this makes the discordant notes of her unauthorized song use by political campaigns even more jarring.

Meanwhile, Johnny Marr of The Smiths asked Trump to refrain from using his band's music earlier this year. Undoubtedly, the trend of uninvited musical cameos has become a motif within Trump's rally playbook over the years, with no genre left unturned—from classic rock icons to modern pop divas.

The estates of iconic musicians Prince and Tom Petty have also joined the chorus, urging Trump to respect their legacies by not using their tracks. Linkin Park's cease-and-desist order over 'In The End' appearing in a pro-Trump video rounded out what could be described as a 'greatest hits' list of legal quibbles.

Focusing back on the Bozeman rally, Dion's team continues to maintain that the star does not endorse Trump, or any political figure, through her music. Whether 'My Heart Will Go On' will remain a fixture in the political soundscape remains to be seen. Let’s just hope that the song doesn’t succumb to over-politicalization and end up as a tired cliché amongst aspiring rally organizers.