Conservative Senator Cory Bernardi wanted to wrap himself in the songs of great Australian rock and pop musicians to celebrate Australia Day, but wound up trading barbs with musicians who didn't appreciate being involuntarily associated with the Conservatives' playlist.

"I do not want to be associated with you, your party or your views," said Darren Hayes, one half of Savage Garden, "Remove my music from this stunt or expect contact from my publisher."

The Aussie hip hop act Hilltop Hoods was a bit more direct: "Go f__k yourself ," the band tweeted.

Bernardi put together a Spotify playlist and asked listeners to pick their favorites, but he didn't bother to ask the musicians if they wanted to be involved.  The playlist was clearly named the #AC100 and promoted by his Australian Conservatives party.  After getting called out on Wednesday, Bernardi on Thursday claimed the playlist wasn't political and accused the musicians of "intolerant censorship" - and besides, they should be "thanking him" for the publicity.

Musicians weren't buying those arguments.

"Powderfinger do not support the Australian Conservatives party or Senator Cory Bernardi's Australia Day #AC100 countdown," the QUeensland rockers said.  "Like fellow musicians Darren Hayes and the Hilltop Hoods, we do not endorse our inclusion in Cory Bernardi's playlist and would like our music removed.  We are not trying to censor Mr. Bernardi and his party, we are merely participating in a healthy debate that befits and strengthens our democracy."

The legendary Jimmy Barnes tweeted the question, "Why would you listen to anything Cory Bernardi says, especially about music?"

Even Spotify wanted to scrape off any association with Bernardi:  "Spotify has actively supported marriage, gender and Indigenous equality initiatives over the last five years and believes in a diverse and multicultural Australia," and, "We want to make clear we do not endorse this playlist, nor do we have any official ties to the Australian Conservatives party nor any other political party."