Dexys Midnight Runners Frontman Kevin Rowland Slams Nigel Farage Over Song Use

Another legendary musician is shutting down unauthorized political playlisting. Kevin Rowland, the frontman and chief songwriter of Dexys Midnight Runners, has publicly denounced UK political party Reform UK after they blasted the band's signature track "Come On Eileen" during a high-profile gathering. The right-wing political group selected the timeless 1982 chart-topper to accompany party figurehead Nigel Farage as he walked out to deliver a speech at the NEC venue in Birmingham. It did not take long for the artists behind the classic track to notice, and they immediately took to social media to set the record straight regarding their involvement.

Why is Kevin Rowland upset with Nigel Farage Rowland delivered a fierce statement making his disgust clear to followers online. Identifying himself as the son of Irish immigrants who penned the famous track, the singer stated he was utterly repulsed upon discovering that Farage used the song to kick off his appearance at the party's annual conference. The frontman emphasized that his objection goes far beyond a simple licensing oversight. Rowland stated explicitly that himself and everyone else in Dexys Midnight Runners stand passionately against the ideological platform and policies promoted by Farage and his supporters.

BUZZBEAT

Did Reform UK have permission to use Come On Eileen To hammer the point home, the artist paired his written statement with a graphic of a UK billboard calling out anti-immigrant talking points. The group confirmed that Reform UK never secured permission to feature "Come On Eileen" as walk-on music for the Birmingham rally. Artists frequently fight back when politicians utilize their catalog without authorization, particularly when the political messaging directly conflicts with the creators' personal beliefs. With this fiery public response, Dexys Midnight Runners join a long line of classic pop and rock acts demanding that political campaigns leave their hit records off the rally speakers.