It seems that Mitt Romney's been using the song "Panic Switch" from the band Silversun Pickups on the campaign trail, and without permission.
Via:
According to the band's frontman Brian Aubert, Romney has been using their 2009 hit ... even though no one ever asked them for permission, but it's pretty clear he wouldn't have gotten it even if he asked.
Aubert says, "We don't like people going behind our backs, using our music without asking, and we don't like the Romney campaign. We're nice, approachable people. We won't bite. Unless you're Mitt Romney!"
TMZ obtained a copy of the cease and desist, in which the band points out this also happened in 2008 ... when Sen. John McCain was sued by Jackson Browne for using "Running on Empty" without permission.
According to the letter, Republicans promised to "respect and uphold the rights of artists and to obtain permissions" after that debacle.
Aubert also says Romney's a victim of irony ... because "he is inadvertently playing a song that describes his whole campaign."
"Panic Switch" lyrics after the jump.
Time
It's never worth my time
Blue shine
Bleeds into my eyes
I still
Sleep on the right side
Of the white noise
Can't leave the scene behind
Could I be anything you want me to be
It's always meant to be seen
When you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Can you fall asleep with a panic switch
And when you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Do you think she'll sleep with the panic...
Mm, I'll try
To hold on tight tonight
Pink slip
Inviting me inside
Wanna burn skin
And brand what once was mine
But the red views
Keep ripping the divide
If I go everywhere you want me to go
How will I know you'll still follow
When you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Can you fall asleep with a panic switch
And when you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Do you think she'll sleep with the panic...
I'm waiting and fading and floating away
I'm waiting and fading and floating away
I'm waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating
[Guitar Solo]
I'm waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading, waiting and fading
When you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Can you fall asleep with a panic switch
And when you see yourself in a crowded room
Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped
Will you step in line or release the glitch
Do you think she'll sleep with the panic...
