Presidential candidates traditionally use popular music to set the tone for their campaigns, catchy tunes with which the office-seeker can identify. You may remember Franklin Roosevelt entering to “Happy Days Are Here Again” or Bill Clinton grooving to “Can’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”  However, there was a time when campaigns would create their own versions of a popular song.  Examples include “High Hopes with Jack Kennedy” performed by supporter Frank Sinatra who sang the original Oscar winning version in the 1959 movie A Hole in the Head.  Or Ed Ames’ 1968 version of “Hello, Lyndon,” based on the title song from the musical Hello, Dolly.

On numerous occasions during the last election cycle, Comrade Trump appropriated popular music to accompany his entrance at rallies.  There was just one problem.  He often chose songs written and performed by musicians who abhorred him and everything he stood for. Examples included Neil Young who requested the Republican nominee stop using “Rockin’ in the Free World” or Adele protesting Trump’s use of “Rolling in the Deep” as walk-on music at a January 2016 event.  There was even what you might call a Zombie revolt.  Deceased musicians such as Luciano Pavarotti and George Harrison, represented by their families or estates, asked Trump to cease and desist using music with which they were commonly identified.

As Trump gears up for 2020, as evidenced by recent, so-called campaign rallies in several deep red states, I have a suggestion which would solve his problem.  According to U.S. statutes, “Works created and copyrighted (that is, registered or published) prior to January 1, 1978, are protected for 95 years from the date the copyright was originally secured.” (Source: Alter, Kendrick & Baron Guide to Copyright Law)  All His Orangeness needs to do is find a song which was published before 1922.  And, of course, I found the perfect match.

It is a little ditty from 1905 with words by Jean Lenox and music by Harry O. Sutton.  It was regularly performed as part of the Ziegfield Follies and eventually recorded by Eva Tanguay in 1922.  Subsequent covers were recorded by Judy Garland, Mitzi Gaynor and Eydie Gorme.  It is titled, “I Don’t Care,” and includes the following chorus.

I don’t care, I don’t care,
What they may think of me,
I’m happy go lucky,
Men say I am plucky,
So jolly and care free,
I don’t care, I don’t care,
If I do get the mean and stony stare,
If I’m never successful,
It won’t be distressful,
‘Cos I don’t care.

However, if the Trump campaign team really wants to get a crowd worked up, maybe they need something with a bit more audience participation.  Perhaps Ivanka and Jared came to the same conclusion during their Seder last Monday night.  The traditional Passover song “Dayenu” is the model on which Trump could create his own campaign theme music.  “Dayenu,” which means “it would have been enough” thanks God for the many blessings he bestowed on the Jewish people following their deliverance from Pharaoh’s rule.  For example, the person who leads the Passover service recites, “If He had brought us out of Egypt,” to everyone’s response “Dayenu,” it would have been enough.  Then, “If he had brought us out of Egypt and not executed justice upon the Egyptians.” Dayenu.  And so on.

Instead of “Dayenu,” the new variation could be called “Lo Eekh-Paht Lee,” or “I Don’t Care.”  Here are a few samples of the many verses.

Trump: If you think I flip-flopped on Chinese currency manipulation.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you’re unhappy that I didn’t repeal and replace Obamacare on my first day in office.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you thought I would actually release my tax returns as I promised to do.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you’re steeped in buyer’s remorse. (Last verse).

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

An added bonus is that Trump and his campaign are, for once, operating within the law.  Since “Dayenu” first appeared in a ninth century Hagaddah, the book used during the Seder to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt, the copyright has surely expired.  Dayenu, it would have been enough.  But this version of “I Don’t Care” also falls within the fair use of copyrighted materials for the purpose of parody.  The only question left to answer? Is Trump also protected under Russian copyright laws?

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP