In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has been playing the iconic 1984 track "Please Please Please, Let Me Get What I Want" by The Smiths at his recent campaign rallies for the 2024 presidential bid. This unexpected choice of music has brought the 1980s indie band back into the news spotlight.

While some have speculated whether The Smiths' lead singer, Morrissey, has made controversial statements, it appears that the attention is solely due to Trump's affinity for the band's music. The lyrics of the song, particularly the line "See, the luck I've had can make a good man turn bad," seem to strike a chord with the former president.

Notably, The Smiths' guitarist, Johnny Marr, has expressed his dismay at Trump appropriating the band's music, vowing to "shut this s*** down right now." It remains to be seen how Marr plans to address the issue and whether he will take any legal action.

This raises questions regarding the use of music by politicians at their events. While artists might wish to prevent their songs from being associated with political agendas they disagree with, music licensing laws can make it a challenging feat. Previous instances, such as M-People member Mike Pickering's frustration when his song was used by conservative politician Liz Truss at a party conference, demonstrate the complexities musicians face in such situations.

The impact of Trump's choice to play The Smiths at his rallies remains unclear, although it raises the discussion of musician's rights and the boundaries of political campaign events. As the controversy unfolds, the possibility of politicians reconsidering their use of rock songs as a backdrop to their campaigns may come into play.

In the meantime, the music world waits to see how Marr and The Smiths will respond to this unexpected co-opting of their music by Donald Trump. The political landscape often finds itself intertwined with popular culture, with musicians left grappling with the grasp politicians can have over their creative output.