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On Monday, the White House shared a brief video on social media featuring Border Patrol agents apprehending an undocumented individual. The clip is accompanied by the tune “Closing Time” by Semisonic, a song from 1998 penned by Dan Wilson, who later became known for his pop hits. The official White House account on X highlighted Wilson’s lyrics, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here,” in conjunction with the video.
In response to the video, Semisonic expressed their disapproval through a statement to Rolling Stone. The band affirmed, “We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way. And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.” This assertion highlights the band’s concern over the misinterpretation of their work.
The footage presented by the White House shows a young man with tattoos and brown skin being escorted onto a plane while handcuffed. This release follows recent actions by the Trump administration, which deported numerous individuals alleged to have gang affiliations to El Salvador. This occurred despite a federal judge’s order to suspend such deportations. The video serves as a component of the broader narrative of deportation initiatives that have characterized the current administration’s policies.
The appropriation of music for political messaging is not without precedent; several artists, including Foo Fighters, Isaac Hayes, and Celine Dion, have previously voiced their objections to their songs being used at Trump rallies and other political events. This incident also marks another instance of Wilson’s work being co-opted. Just a year prior, MAGA supporters utilized the Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice,” a track co-written by Wilson, in their social media posts targeting politicians like Kamala Harris.
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Wilson’s musical journey began in the late 1980s with the band Trip Shakespeare, based in Minneapolis. He later joined forces with bandmate John Munson to establish Semisonic alongside drummer Jacob Slichter. The band gained acclaim for their three albums before disbanding in 2001. Following that, Wilson found success as a songwriter for prominent artists, including Adele and Taylor Swift.
“Closing Time” remains Semisonic’s most popular track, reaching the top of the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and frequently featured on MTV. The song drew inspiration from a now-closed bar in Minneapolis, as well as the birth of Wilson’s daughter. Reflecting on the song’s enduring popularity, Wilson noted, “It’s insane… ‘Closing Time’ is the song that never fell off the radar. I have no idea how that happened, but that’s what happened.”
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www.rollingstone.com