Katy Perry: White House Misused "Firework"
Katy Perry has condemned the White House’s use of her song “Firework” in a TikTok video depicting military strikes, stating it is a “complete violation” of the song’s message of hope. The White House’s official TikTok account posted a nine-second video on Thursday showing footage described as military strikes, set to Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “Firework.” Perry addressed the White House directly on X, saying she did not approve the use of her song, was not asked, and absolutely does not condone it.
The song’s use in the video has sparked controversy, with Perry explaining that she wrote “Firework” to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments. She described the video as “a complete violation of everything my song stands for,” and stated that her music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare. However, it’s worth noting that Perry sold the master recordings and publishing rights to “Firework” to Litmus Music in 2023, which means she may not have the legal right to control how the song is used.
This incident is part of a wider pattern of artists pushing back against the use of their music in official government content. Artists such as Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and the Rolling Stones have also objected to the unauthorized use of their work in official content. Perry has a history of Democratic political involvement, having endorsed Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris in successive presidential elections.
Perry’s statement has drawn attention to the issue of music rights and the use of songs in political contexts. The incident highlights the complexities of copyright law and the challenges artists face in controlling how their work is used.
