Heart’s Nancy Wilson Criticizes Trump Use of ‘Barracuda’ at DC Military Parade

Nancy Wilson of the band Heart publicly criticized the unauthorized use of their 1977 hit "Barracuda" during a military parade organized by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., which celebrated the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. Wilson emphasized that "Barracuda," co-written and performed with her sister Ann Wilson, was never intended for political purposes and expressed respect for the military while underscoring the importance of respecting artists' wishes regarding their music's use. She highlighted her and her sister's background as daughters of a U.S. Marine Corps major and wore a "No Kings But Us" hat in solidarity with nationwide protests against what demonstrators viewed as authoritarian policies by the Trump administration. Wilson also reflected on past sentiments about being American during the Vietnam War era, suggesting that contemporary political circumstances make her feel even more embarrassed to identify as American. The event, which coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, featured instrumentals of other classic rock songs and drew modest crowds, while the "No Kings" protests constituted a historic nationwide demonstration. Heart's opposition to unauthorized political use of their music is consistent with past actions, including their resistance to the use of "Barracuda" during the 2008 Republican National Convention.