crist videoNo wonder David Byrne was allegedly so buddy buddy with Charlie Crist last week.
As part of a settlement agreement The Ticket told you about yesterday, the ex-Florida governor was required to film a 90-second apology for illegally using the Talking Heads song "Road to Nowhere" in an attack ad during his 2010 Senate campaign and post the video on YouTube.
The clip is nothing short of embarrassing, with florescent lighting that seems almost inspired by a hostage video. In the message, Crist, whose tan seems even more unnatural than usual in the light, admits his campaign did not ask for Byrne for permission to use the song.
"Mr. Byrne has never permitted his songs to be used for advertising of any kind," Crist says in the video, repeatedly peering down to read his prepared statement. He says his use of the song was "wrong and should not have occurred."
"I pledge that, should there be any future election campaigns for me, I will respect and uphold the rights of artists and obtain permission or a license for the use of any copyrighted work," the ex-governor declares.
You can watch the video here:
Byrne had sued Crist and his campaign for $1 million for using the song without his permission. It's unclear if former Talking Heads frontman received any other additional compensation besides embarrassing Crist on film. But he tells the Orlando Sentinel in a statement that he feels "very manly" after his trip to Florida to settle the suit.
"Other artists may actually have the anger but not want to take the time and risk the legal bills. I am lucky that I can do that," Byrne tells the Sentinel. "My hope is that by standing up to this practice maybe it can be made to be a less common option, or better yet an option that is never taken in the future."
(Screenshot of Crist via YouTube)