Ann and Nancy Wilson of the rock band called Heart have called for lawyers after the Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin adopted one of its hit songs, “Barracuda”, as her unofficial anthem.

“The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted permission,” Ann and Nancy Wilson said in an emailed statement on Thursday. “We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use or music. We hope our wishes will be honored.”

The McCain campaign, however, said that it had obtained the required licences to play the song.

"The McCain campaign respects intellectual property rights. Accordingly, prior to using Barracuda at any events, we paid for and obtained all necessary licenses," said a spokesman.

“I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented,” Heart’s Nancy Wilson said, “I feel completely fucked over.”

In an emailed proclamation, Ann and Nancy Wilson collectively stated that “Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image.”