David Byrne Settles Lawsuit Against Former Florida Governor

Former Talking Heads musician David Byrne (extreme left photo) reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement in his lawsuit against former Florida governor Charlie Crist (not so extreme right photo). Byrne had alleged copyright infringement by Crist when the politician used a Byrne song in an attack ad during Crist's recent, unsuccessful US Senate campaign. The story appears in today's Miami Herald.

Politicians, particularly Republican ones, have co-opted music to deliver some sort of electoral message. For unknown, unstated reasons, some songs just seem to get the pols to shake, rattle, and roll. Since music has now become a matter of some significance among ambitious politicians, I have a few suggestions for them:

1. It's a Man's World/James Brown. Just the tune for GOP men running against Palin or Bachmann.

2. Born Under a Bad Sign/Albert King. When a candidate wants to put the whammy on an opponent.

3. My Way/Frank Sinatra. When a candidate runs unopposed.

4. Gold In My Pocket/DJ Food. When the campaign needs some extra coin.

5. Anything Is Possible/Blue Six. Especially true in politics.