Jackson Browne performs at a town hall gathering for Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards in December 2007. (Tony Talbot/Associated Press)

Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne has sued John McCain over the use of his hit Running on Empty in an ad that attacks presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Browne says his song is being used without his permission and will lead people to the false impression that he endorses McCain.

In his suit, he claims his reputation has been damaged by association with McCain and claims $75,000 in damages.

Running on Empty runs in the background of an ad that attacks Obama's contention that if U.S. drivers got regular tune-ups and drove on properly inflated tires, they could save oil and there might not be a need for environmentally hazardous offshore drilling.

Browne filed suit Thursday against McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees.

A lifelong liberal, Browne performed at concerts in support of John Kerry during his presidential race in 2004 and backed John Edwards as Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. He has also donated money to Democratic presidential campaigns.

Browne also supports causes such as freedom for Tibet, environmental responsibility and social justice.

Running on Empty, recorded in 1977, is the most commercially successful song of his career which began on the 1960s folk circuit. Browne has since evolved as a dependable rock performer and continues to make music.

The suit notes that other musicians, including ABBA and John Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.

McCain's campaign team has dissociated itself from the ad, saying it wasn't created by them. The ad has been pulled in Ohio, where it was running.

Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, dismissed the lawsuit as a "big to-do about nothing."