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The B-52s issued a formal demand on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for Texas Senator John Cornyn to stop using their hit song "Love Shack" in a political attack ad.
The band expressed their frustration after learning the campaign used a parody of the track without their approval.
The advertisement, which targets Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, utilizes AI-generated content to highlight a sex scandal involving the politician.
In an exclusive statement, the band members—Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson—labeled the use of their music as "tasteless and illegal."
They clarified that they do not endorse either candidate in the ongoing Republican runoff election.
The B-52s emphasized that they have spent nearly 50 years promoting themes of love and inclusion, which they feel contradicts the nature of the political attack.
The 80-second advertisement parodies the 1989 classic to criticize Ken Paxton’s personal life, specifically focusing on allegations of adultery.
The ad surfaced during a particularly heated election cycle in Texas where John Cornyn and Ken Paxton remain locked in a contested race.
The B-52s stated that "Love Shack" symbolizes a place for everyone to come together regardless of their background or political affiliation.
However the band’s representatives confirmed that they have already taken legal steps to ensure the song immediately ceases to be used in the campaign.
This incident adds to a long history of musical artists objecting to the use of their work by political figures.
The B-52s reiterated that their music aims to provide positivity and respect rather than serving as a tool for political division.
