Adele seems to have inadvertently drifted into American politics - amid the latest race for the White House - and the British popstar and her fans have not been best pleased by it all. Donald Trump’s campaign rallies have been attempting to engage and arouse the party faithful’s support by playing her tracks before the controversial main man takes to the stage.

Republicans thinking alike

As if to add confusion to the issue, Trump’s rival in the battle for the Republican nomination has also been utilising Adele’s image in his campaign. Mike Huckabee has followed Trump’s example by posting a cover of “Hello – Adele’s comeback smash hit – on both Twitter and YouTube.

That move prompted copyright issues and hence the audio for the post has subsequently been muted.

The fact that both American politicians seem to be hoping that the popularity of the British singer may rub off on them is in some ways a glowing endorsement of just how significant Adele has become globally. However, her fans have expressed their outrage and Adele has made her position clear on the matter.

Adele’s view made clear

A spokesman for the singer informed the British newspaper “i” that she has “not given permission for her Music to be used for any political campaigning.” Trump’s campaign had been using the tracks “Rolling In The Deep” and the James Bond signature tune “Skyfall” prior to the announcement.

Classic sales pitch technique

As with many well-known and popular songs, the sentiment and words often strike a chord with any kind of sales pitch when attempting to attract the general public’s interest in a brand. Companies often utilise rousing background music at conferences and awards ceremonies, commonly seeking an emotional connection with their audiences by playing familiar refrains.

Trump’s warm-up sought to benefit from such wordplay as “we could have had it all” from “Rolling In The Deep” to get his message across to the voters. However, Adele’s fans clearly didn’t agree that her music was apt for his campaign.

American artists also involved

Home-grown American bands and singers have perhaps more naturally become involved in the political shenanigans as well.

The indie band Vampire Weekend have publically put their weight behind the Democrat Bernie Sanders, joining him on stage in Iowa and singing a Woody Guthrie cover with him.

Sanders will have stiff competition from the other contender for the Democrat nomination though. Hillary Clinton – wife of former president Bill – can not only expect strong support from her fans but also from such musical Celebrities as Katy Perry and Beyonce.

Taylor Swift to enter the battle?

Although not yet confirmed, she may yet also gain the backing of Taylor Swift, whose expected influence on young female voters in the States would be a major coup for Clinton’s campaign. Swift is an obvious target for both parties but has not committed herself fully to either side yet, although the suggestion is that she may be edging towards Clinton.

Observations on Trump

Trump’s approach has attracted some rather interesting comments from Azealia Banks. The rapper believes that he is “the only one who truly has the balls to bust up big business,” adding that he was “evil like America is evil.”

Past musical objections

Adele is far from the first musician to object to politicians using their music to further their own career ambitions. Back in 1984, Ronald Reagan’s adoption of the stirring “Born in the USA” was objected to by Bruce Springsteen. Talking Heads’ David Byrne went as far as suing Charlie Crist – a former governor of Florida – when he attempted to use “Road to Nowhere” for an online advert.