Everyday I am reminded that I am getting older. Not OLD by any means, but older. A perfect example of this is the type of music that is used in commercials. Over the years, I am finding more and more that songs I grew up with and loved are becoming commercialized (no pun intended). Here are a few examples:
- Van Halen: You Really Got Me – Back in 1996, when Nissan discontinued the 300ZX, they had made a tribute commercial to the famed “Z” car with Barbie, Ken and GI Joe. Barbie leaves Ken because GI Joe drives a “Z”.
- The Cars: Just What I Needed – Circuit City has all but killed this song for me. It’s on The Cars debut album (which is their best in my opinion), but I now cringe when I see the commercial and hear the song.
- Led Zeppelin: Rock & Roll – Cadillac used this song to promote its lineup of cars a couple of years ago. I guess they were trying to change their image. I remember Robert Plant saying that Caddy’s were the ultimate luxury car when he was younger and was honored that they wanted to use a Zep tune in their commercials.
- The Who: Bargain – Nissan basically used this song to promote whatever deal they had going at the time.
- AC/DC: Back in Black – When Motorola introduced the Razor phone, it featured this song in their commercial.
- Black Sabbath: Iron Man – To give the impression of a tough, manly truck, Nissan got the rights to use Iron Man to push their Titan line-up. (Maybe we just need to have a little talk with Nissan).
- Scorpions: Rock You Like a Hurricane – TGI Friday’s used this one to promote a line up of sizzling steaks they had launched.
- Van Halen: Hot For Teacher – This one may not be as obvious, but when Dodge got back into NASCAR as few years back, the end of their commercials had a drum beat that was supposed to sound like the rumble of a big block V-8. It actually sounded more like the intro to this VH tune. I think Eddie probably realized it and made them stop because the commercials didn’t run with that ending very long.
- Bob Seger: Like a Rock – I know everyone remembers this one. Chevrolet used this for a long time to promote their truck lineup.
Here’s a link to some others. Can you remember any?
(BTW - The "Z" commercial was one of my favorites)
12 comments:
And how about when they play songs that you like, in the supermarket!
And your walking around singing when you realize.....sheesh I might as well be singing ELEVATOR music!
I remember a lot of these. It bothers me, but I guess it's not worth getting angry at. After all, the artists are getting paid for their work!
-- david
Yeah, and I was getting absolutely pissed off during football season hearing the "Iron Man" ad done back to back...bad enough it was sold out in the first place...to suffer an obvious ploy on Nissan's part to get hip...ugh...
I blogged this yesterday - what was Wendy's thinking using the Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun?
I think it was Toyota a few years back that used Stevie Ray's version of "Voo Doo Child", and just recently, I've heard Boston's "Piece of Mind" on some ad.
I love that "Z" commercial too. I remember when that came out. But that song always reminds me of the John Cusack movie with the burgers dancing.
Babe - I would never sing in public!! ;op
David - Good point.
Ray - I'm with you. The dumb rewinding to get to the "good part" was annoying.
Mr. Big - That's the kind of crap I'm talking about. Thanks for stopping by.
Bruce - I have a feeling there will be plenty more.
Talixmer - Better off Dead. Great movie. He has my dream car in that movie. The burgers were dancing to "Everybody Wants Some!"
Ah, you're right.....my bad
Just saw the Circuit City "Just What I Needed" one. I still love that song, it can't ruin it for me.
-- david
Very fun post! It confirms my belief that their was more creativity in music in the "good old days" than there is now. Movie soundtracts also use a lot of "our" music :)
I think the one that gives me the most pause is Iron Butterfly's In A Gadda Da Vida for a mutual fund.
David - It's not so much that I hate the song, but it just isn't the same anymore.
Layla - Yeah, movies and TV are all over our music now.
Fuzz - Don't know if I ever saw that one, but it reminds me of when The Simpsons used it anc changed the words to "In the Garden of Eden". That cracked me up!
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