ABBA has joined the chorus of artists demanding former President Trump stop using their tunes at campaign rallies, proving that even fictional Swedish pop bands have limits when it comes to political karaoke.

The iconic pop group is not just serving up nostalgia; they're taking a stand against what they see as political mischief, with their record company highlighting that Trump's rallies have featured their hits without so much as a 'Dancing Queen' request for permission. ABBA's call joins a growing list of artists, including the Foo Fighters and Celine Dion, who are tired of their music being used as a soundtrack for political pandemonium.

It seems that the only request for 'permission' Trump has received is from a hypothetical future where he finally learns the meaning of musical copyright. ABBA's record company made it clear that they had not received a single request for the use of their songs, leaving fans to wonder if this was merely an oversight or if Trump had mistakenly inferred that political rallies fell under the category of a 'free concert.'

Among the banned anthems is the painfully ironic 'The Winner Takes It All,' a track that feels remarkably well-suited for a political campaign where, to put it gently, not everyone feels like a winner. Not to be overlooked is 'Money, Money, Money,' which perhaps resonates with Trump's policies but, according to ABBA, should not come from their playlist. The irony of using their hit to rally support while they protest the association is not lost on anyone who appreciates a good joke—unless, of course, that joke involves someone else's music.

ABBA isn't alone in their distress over their melodies being used to spice up campaign rhetoric. Notably, the Foo Fighters and Celine Dion have spoken out, and the trend of artists protesting has become so commonplace that it could be considered a political movement in itself. If there's a political party out there for musicians disheartened by unauthorized performances, it certainly has a catchy name waiting to be coined.

Johnny Marr from The Smiths also expressed his disapproval, which suggests that the musician's penchant for eerily poetic dissent isn't confined to just their songs. Perhaps he was simply hoping for a 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want' situation, instead of hearing his work played alongside Trump’s campaign antics. If we’re keeping score, Marr’s sentiments seem to echo a broader reality: that musicians don’t often sign up to soundtrack political rallies of any kind, particularly ones laden with controversy.

And let’s not forget Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, who has taken a more literal approach to protecting his tunes. He sent three cease-and-desist letters related to the use of his music, possibly believing that variables like ‘cease,’ ‘desist,’ and ‘please don’t’ might eventually reach Trump’s ears. Tyler’s approach might serve as a model for future musicians: optimization through repetition surely holds some merit in this case.

The ongoing displeasure over Trump's musical selections does not stop there. The controversy stretches further, with Rihanna, Ozzy Osbourne, and even the estates of Prince and Tom Petty joining forces in the crusade against unauthorized song usage. If only they could collaborate on a protest anthem of their own that encapsulates their collective frustration; it might reach chart-topping status based solely on the irony.

As ABBA makes their demands clear, it highlights an essential truth in the music industry: though music often transcends age, culture, and even politics, one thing is clear—being forcibly linked to a political campaign makes for an awkward elevator ride in the afterlife of a song. ABBA’s request for the immediate removal of videos featuring their music from Trump’s events resonates with countless artists wishing to disassociate themselves from what they deem a bizarre implementation of their hard-earned hits.

So, what’s next for ABBA? While ABBA has assertively demanded that Trump stop using their songs at campaign rallies, they have no interest in being part of Trump’s campaign soundtrack. Just like they’ve said, turning down the volume on political karaoke seems like a smart move all around.