Music and movie lovers might recognize "Eye of the Tiger" as the song playing in the background as the fictional character Rocky Balboa trained for his boxing match against James "Clubber" Lang in the movie "Rocky III."
The song by the rock band Survivor was written by the band's guitarist Frankie Sullivan and keyboardist Jim Peterik.
Since its release in 1982, "Eye of the Tiger" became a crowd pleaser and a fan favorite because of its catchy beat and unforgettable chorus.
One of the things that really drew people in was the message behind the song, which is why it's being constantly played in competitions, trainings, and the like.
However, as great as a morale and mood booster the song is, "Eye of the Tiger" is being gatekept by none other than its co-writer, Sullivan.
According to Billboard, the song was recently used in a political campaign by U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, which only incensed Sullivan.
"Stop using my f**king song!" He said. "That song belongs with the Rocky franchise and they don't ask because they'd get a no. Absolutely."
Reports note that Haley might have chosen the song since she is an alumna of Clemson University, and as Forbes magazine put it, "Go Tigers!"
However, the Survivor guitarist is not amused. "I don't care who it is, I don't think it's appropriate, especially with 'Tiger,' since it's such a special song."
"I have no idea why any politician would play that as a walk on," he continued. He also added that Haley's use of his song is a "sick way to promote the song. I wish they would just stop this nonsense!"
This is not the first time Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" was used in a political campaign and the musician reacted negatively to it.
According to reports, it was also used by Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas several years back.
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Worthy of the 'Eye of the Tiger'?
According to reports, Sullivan filed a lawsuit against the former governor for copyright infringement in Illinois for using "Eye of the Tiger" in one of his political campaigns.
Aside from the copyright infringement issue, there was also the fact that the campaign in question was in support of a county clerk who became infamous for refusing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The guitarist explained his reasons: "I do not like mixing rock and roll with politics; they do not go hand in hand."
"What upset me most [about Huckabee's use] was that, once again, my song was being used to further a political agenda - and no one even bothered to ask for permission."
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