Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 17, 2025 · Entertainment

Nancy Wilson Slams Trump: 'Barracuda' Used Without Permission at Military Parade

Heart's Nancy Wilson took to Instagram Sunday to make clear she and her bandmates did not approve President Donald Trump 's use of their 1977 track Barracuda for his grand military parade over the weekend

ROCK 'N' ROLL REBEL: Heart's Nancy Wilson Takes on Trump Over Unauthorized Use of "Barracuda" at Military Parade

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the music industry, Heart's iconic lead singer Nancy Wilson is taking on President Donald Trump after his military parade in Washington D.C. featured her band's 1977 hit single "Barracuda" without permission or authorization.

The 71-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer took to Instagram Sunday to express her outrage and disappointment over the unauthorized use of their song, which was played during a grand military parade organized by Trump himself. The event, which coincided with his 79th birthday, featured an array of troops, tanks, and a 21-gun salute rolling down Constitution Avenue.

Trump attends a celebration of the Army's 250th birthday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.on Saturday

A POWERFUL PIECE OF MUSIC WITH A DEEPER MEANING

"Barracuda" is more than just a hit song for Wilson - it's a powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use. As the daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps major, she has a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. In her Instagram post, Wilson emphasized the importance of respecting the wishes of the artists who created the music.

"On a day meant to honor that service, it's important that music used in such settings reflects not only the tone of the event but also the wishes of the artists who created it," she wrote.

Wilson performed during the Love Alive Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on  July 11, 2019  in Chicago

A DIVIDED RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC

The comment section on Wilson's post was divided, with some supporters praising her for standing up against Trump's unauthorized use of their song. "Damn right, Nancy!" one commenter wrote, while another added, "You're a rock legend, and you deserve respect!"

However, not everyone was supportive of Wilson's stance. Some critics questioned why she was making such a big deal about the situation, citing Trump's democratic election as president. One commenter wrote, "Imagine calling a democratically elected president a king. What a clown," while another added, "Trump was fairly elected, and there has been no king since July 4th, 1776!"

Nancy performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28, 2024

A LONG HISTORY OF ARTISTS OPPOSING TRUMP'S USE OF THEIR MUSIC

This is not the first time that Trump has faced opposition from artists over the use of their music at his events. Since the beginning of his presidential campaign in 2015, he has faced backlash from performers and estates for playing songs without permission.

Nancy Wilson and her older sister Ann formed the band Heart in 1973, carving out a legacy in rock with classic songs such as "Magic Man," "Barracuda," and "What About Love?" The group went on to sell more than 35 million albums and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

As thescholarlynote.com reports, this latest controversy has once again highlighted the importance of respecting the wishes of artists when it comes to the use of their music. Whether you're a fan of Heart or not, it's hard to argue with Wilson's stance on the matter. After all, as she so eloquently put it, "Barracuda" is a powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use.

So, what do you think, folks? Do you agree with Nancy Wilson's decision to speak out against Trump's unauthorized use of her band's song? Share your thoughts in the comments below!