Commercial Watch
June 21, 2008
This summer, I’m working at the front desk of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel and there’s a TV in the lobby that’s always on. This being the case, I see a lot of commercials and recently, I’ve recognized quite a few bands I’ve talked about on here. Does this mean that the music supervisors for these commercials read my blog religously? I can only assume so. Here’s a few of the artists/songs I’ve noticed recently with MP3s and link to video when available.
Saturn Outlook: Noah and the Whale – 5 Years Time
This is the commercial where the car drives by and coloful paper cut-out things appear everywhere and the car turns into a sailboat. Cute video and obviously the song choice is top-notch. Can’t wait to see Noah and the Whale at Lollapalooza (playing the same stage/day as Radiohead no less).
JC Penny: I’m From Barcelona – We’re From Barcelona
This is the second commercial I’ve seen using I’m From Barcelona recently (Jeep had a commercial using “This Boy”). This commercial ran up to and during Fathers Day this year and featured some kind of Father’s Day Parade. Glad this band is getting more exposure, Let Me Introduce You To My Friends is a fantastic summer album.
Chevy Malibu: Silversun Pickups – Lazy Eye
Just saw this commercial today and recognized the riff immediately (Lazy Eye was one of my favorite tracks of ‘06). I don’t remember any specifics about the commercial (pretty standard car-driving-through-tunnel it seemed) but the song sounded like some kind of remix or edit.
Rhapsody Digital Music: Throw Me A Statue – Lolita
This ad is on all the time, and actually features the song and the Throw Me a Statue album cover (the non-naked lady version) both of which appears on different mediums (computer, tv, mp3 player, ex-girlfriends house). It’s a very good commercial overall, and I’m betting the band is really happy with all the exposure they’re getting from it.
Atlantis Cruises: Moldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You
This commercial is obviously a response to the Juno craze, and the commercial (for a cruise in the Bahamas) actually features a re-written version of the song with lyrics like “Let’s go ride a couple of dolphins/Or maybe play tennis/Or do some golfing”. I’m normally a fan of using songs in commercials (as you can see from this point), but this song just seems to trendy at the moment. Also not a huge fan of changing your lyrics for a commercial. Oh well, maybe a few more people will buy a Moldy Peaches album now.
Wishbone Salad Dressing: Spank Rock – Bump
Hearing Spank Rock in a salad dressing commercial is totally surreal, considering both how obscure the artist is and how raunchy his lyrics are (the commercial uses the cleanest part of the song). I got to hand it to them though, it makes for a pretty fun commercial.
Any other commercials out there that I’m missing?
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Tags: Commercials, I'm From Barcelona, Moldy Peaches, Noah & the Whale, Silversun Pickups, Spank Rock, Throw Me A Statue
Posted by Taylor in Television
I absolutly love it!
content rss
June 21st, 2008 at 9:56 am
Nissan: Modest Mouse – “Gravity Rides Everything”
McDonalds: Shins – “New Slang”
M&Ms: Iron & Wine – “Such Great Heights”
Ford: Band of Horses – “The Funeral”
Everymotherfuckingipodcommercial.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:09 am
Cadillac: Justice – Genesis
And of course the Outback/Of Montreal travesty.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Forever, by Walter Meego, is in a new Heineken ad….
June 21st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
The Moldy Peaches/Atlantis commercial never sat right with me, and I’m usually not bothered by it, either. :/
June 21st, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Love the Throw Me The Statue spot. Hope it gets them a few more listeners. Great band.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Saw a car commercial today featuring the Prototypes’ “Je Ne Te Connais Pas.” Took me by surprise and made me happy! I forget which company. Chevy, maybe.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
it’s not new, but the flaming lips were on a salad dressing commercial. i understand, some of these indie bands trying to get by, but really: where is the point where they’re just, to use a phrase i despise but is only appropriate, selling out?
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
Great Northern’s song Home is featured on a Nissan commercial.
June 24th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Yeah I have seen the ford commercial that plays the funeral. Kind of an odd choice, even if it is an awesome song.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Sprint:Architecture in Helsinki-Souvenirs
June 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Thanks for pointing out the Atlantis commercial, I’ve been complaining about the ripoff to my friends and no one seems to care. I think my favorite song ever used in a commercial was a Saturn commercial from years back featuring The Walkmen’s We’ve Been Had. It’s always interesting to see Madison Avenue’s musical choices.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Great wrap-up of indie music in commercials right now. It’s so weird to hear Spank Rock on a salad commercial. MC Spank Rock Just did a psa with Rock the Vote too. you can check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3IXEutQnak
July 29th, 2008 at 3:20 am
i was wondering if anybody knew what song was played in the new sun chips commercial?… all u hear is whistling at frist then u hear someone singin and then its over but the whistling kinda sounds like the 5 years time but i dont think it is but i havent heard the full 5 years time
August 19th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
“Je Ne Te Connais Pas” is in an ad for the Mitsubishi Outlander, a German BMW commercial and, inevitably, an iPod commercial. Also– until I actually see that Wishbone commercial, I don’t believe it’s real. Can you imagine “Backyard Betty” instead? Haaa…