Earworms: Music in Commercials

[Brattinella]

1 hour ago, mojoween said:

"Spoonman" used to hawk T-Mobile

Hee!  Dying here!

[smittykins]

6 hours ago, mojoween said:

Welp now that I've heard "Spoonman" used to hawk T-Mobile I give up.  Obviously the money is huge and the artists don't feel they are sellouts so who am I to judge?  Cash that check, Chris!  I would never turn down free money and neither should you.

But don't they usually go through the publishing companies to get the rights?(I remember reading that when Weird Al wanted to use "Lola," he initially went to the publisher for permission and was denied; he ran into Ray Davies some time later and asked why he'd rejected it, and it turned out he never even knew about it, so Al resolved to approach the writers directly from that point on.)

[Jobiska]

On 8/5/2016 at 11:01 PM, Rick Kitchen said:

I just saw a new ad for Comcast where they were singing a version of "Everything is Awesome" just for the ad.  I don't know if I like it or not.

I am heartily sick of it, and also get irritated by the few lyrics I don't get (When you're sharing on wee?  ennui?) and the illogical bits (why would a man who built himself a Game of Thrones throne out of pool noodles, and obviously wanted to watch Game of Thrones, and ended up watching Game of Thrones, ask his remote "show me angry kings?"  "show me Game of Thrones" has the same number of syllables!)

[mmecorday]

"Worth It" by Fifth Harmony is never, ever going to go away, I'm afraid. Right now it's been used in ads for two different companies -- Light and Fit yogurt and PetSmart.

[Brattinella]

27 minutes ago, mmecorday said:

"Worth It" by Fifth Harmony is never, ever going to go away, I'm afraid. Right now it's been used in ads for two different companies -- Light and Fit yogurt and PetSmart.

JUST KILL ME NOW!

[ohjoy]

1 hour ago, mmecorday said:

"Worth It" by Fifth Harmony is never, ever going to go away, I'm afraid. Right now it's been used in ads for two different companies -- Light and Fit yogurt and PetSmart.

Unless I'm badly mistaken, the first commercial I heard the song on was a Dove (or similar chocolate) candy commercial. It is indeed making the rounds.

[editorgrrl]

19 hours ago, RandomMe said:

Unless I'm badly mistaken, the first commercial I heard the song on was a Dove (or similar chocolate) candy commercial. It is indeed making the rounds.

According to iSpot, "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony was used in commercials for Hershey Caramels, Dannon Light & Fit, and PetSmart grooming. (Also the trailer for How to Be Single): https://www.ispot.tv/search?term=Fifth+Harmony%2C+Kid+Ink

[Brattinella]

Why would I watch and listen to that voluntarily??  Death will not come too soon to get away from TV noise.

[Jamoche]

1 minute ago, Brattinella said:

Why would I watch and listen to that voluntarily??  Death will not come too soon to get away from TV noise.

So much this. There's an ad in heavy rotation that uses American Authors' "Best day of my life" ("My li-i-ife, my li-ah-i-ah-i-ah-i-ife") and it came on while I was in the grocery store. Not quite as bad as Christmas music - I walk out for that - but close. Whatever happened to public places using nice bland unmemorable muzak?

[friendperidot]

Quote

. Whatever happened to public places using nice bland unmemorable muzak?

I remember Barry Manilow saying something about being so old he heard his songs in elevators. lol

[proserpina65]

On ‎08‎/‎05‎/‎2016 at 11:01 PM, Rick Kitchen said:

I just saw a new ad for Comcast where they were singing a version of "Everything is Awesome" just for the ad.  I don't know if I like it or not.

Not only do I hate how they changed the song to promote vegging in front of the tv, computer, etc., I also hate how the actual song then gets stuck in my head for hours on end until I can't stand it anymore.

On ‎09‎/‎06‎/‎2016 at 1:01 PM, mmecorday said:

"Worth It" by Fifth Harmony is never, ever going to go away, I'm afraid. Right now it's been used in ads for two different companies -- Light and Fit yogurt and PetSmart.

I used to like that song.

I also tend to get that stupid Brad Paisley Nationwide song stuck in my head.  In fact, it's there now because I saw the ad this morning.

Edited September 9, 2016 by proserpina65

[SpikeGal]

Does anyone else enjoy that song in the Alive! vitamin commercials? I admit the song is so catchy I find myself singing to it. "Cause I'm feeling alive, alive, alive!" Is that a real song? If not, they should cut a demo. I think it's rather catchy!

[theatremouse]

I think it's a jingle that was written for them, but I'm not super confident in that. It is super catchy. I don't want to say I like it per se, but I don't dislike it, and it has that sort of hook where it makes you want to sing it. So I suppose...in the grand scheme of commercial jingles, I'm ok with it.

[riley702]

On 10/9/2016 at 6:34 PM, SpikeGal said:

Does anyone else enjoy that song in the Alive! vitamin commercials? I admit the song is so catchy I find myself singing to it. "Cause I'm feeling alive, alive, alive!" Is that a real song? If not, they should cut a demo. I think it's rather catchy!

The lady is Stacey Levine and she has links to her music here:

[cpcathy]

I just hate that they're dancing about vitamins. I must be taking the wrong vitamins, because I don't want to dance, I want to nap!

[ivygirl]

On 9/7/2016 at 8:40 AM, Jamoche said:

So much this. There's an ad in heavy rotation that uses American Authors' "Best day of my life" ("My li-i-ife, my li-ah-i-ah-i-ah-i-ife") and it came on while I was in the grocery store. Not quite as bad as Christmas music - I walk out for that - but close. Whatever happened to public places using nice bland unmemorable muzak?

A local casino used that and I, too, got sick of it. It's weird when you only hear one piece of the song and suddenly hear the whole thing. That used to happen to me when they sold compilation albums on TV. Though I did have fun singing just those parts in order ("if you like pina coladas! And getting caught in the rain!/I'm never gonna let you go... I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever.../ooooooh, I hear laughter in the rain, walking hand in hand something something..."

[Moose135]

52 minutes ago, ivygirl said:

"if you like pina coladas! And getting caught in the rain!/I'm never gonna let you go... I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever.../ooooooh, I hear laughter in the rain, walking hand in hand something something..."

Thanks, thanks a whole lot there, ivygirl... ;-)

[Prevailing Wind]

I never understood the alleged happy ending to that piña colada song. They were both attempting to cheat. What's so cute about that?

[Moose135]

You're not supposed to think about it that much, just go with the moment.

[mmecorday]

And according to the guy, they'd been together "too long," and yet at no time had they discussed their mutual interests? I call bullshit, Mr. Holmes. "Ohmygod, ohmygod, I full on love being out somewhere out of cover and the heavens suddenly open up and I'm drenched to the bone! I never knew you liked that too! And I've been fornicating at midnight on public beaches for years. Why haven't we done that?"

[janie jones]

Their problem isn't that they've been together too long, but that they apparently haven't spoken this whole time.

And why does he recognize her by her smile and the "curve of her face"?  It's not like it's your 20th high school reunion.  "I'd know that smile anywhere!"  You live with this person.  You should just be able to look at her and know who she is.  Does he have that disorder where he can't recognize human faces?

Edited October 15, 2016 by janie jones

[Brattinella]

34 minutes ago, janie jones said:

You live with this person.  You should just be able to look at her and know who she is.  Does he have that disorder where he can't recognize human faces?

*Giggling like a little girl here*  *Smacks self*

[St. Claire]

OMG, I am so happy that you all have the same kind of questions as I do about that damned song. My family has been ridiculing me for years for overanalyzing it.

[smittykins]

Maybe it's a form of karma.  They both tried to cheat, and they ended up with each other anyway.

[AntiBeeSpray]

This new one from Bounce...

 

 

Holy cow. 

 

Now onto the real version... to get their version out of my head (as clever as it is XD).

 

[bilgistic]

I HATE that Bounce commercial. And dude, your shirt is only that wrinkled if you left it in the bottom of the laundry basket! Hang it up after a short toss in the dryer, no chemicals needed.

[ennui]

I like the Pina Colada song. You can't think too much about pop music. I submit "Tutti Frutti." A whop bop-a-lu a whop bam boo.

I love the steel guitar music in the Sandals commercial.

[riley702]

23 hours ago, AntiBeeSpray said:

This new one from Bounce...

Shit. Another good song ruined.

[ennui]

I love to hear Eddie Rabbitt in the VW Golf commercial.  "Driving my life away." Great song, and Eddie was taken from us too soon.

Also enjoy "On the Road Again" with the faux Willie Nelson in the Beetle. I guess VW has invested heavily in 1980s C&W songs.

[shapeshifter]

The Target commercials are cool, but talk about earworms! That "diggy diggy diggy diggity doh!" song (I watch with captions on) and the other one drive me nuts. Yes, a song can be too catchy.

[AntiBeeSpray]

I can't stand that commercial! I mute it whenever it's on.

[mmecorday]

The one that gets stuck in my head is the Hershey Syrup jingle that sounds like a, Andrews Sisters song. "Zing, zing, baby, baby, I love you."

[friendperidot]

Ad for diapers, don't really pay much attention. Song, "we all need a hug in the morning and one at the end of the day, (so far ok) it's my belief, for instant relief (rhymes) that a hug is the best one at all." The ending sucks, it doesn't go with the rest of the sweet lullaby.

Edited because the ad came on and I was able to get the lyrics right.

Edited November 2, 2016 by friendperidot

[CoderLady]

1 hour ago, friendperidot said:

Ad for diapers, don't really pay much attention. Song, "we all need a hug in the morning and one at the end of the day, (so far ok) it's my belief, for instant relief (rhymes) that a hug is the best one at all." The ending sucks, it doesn't go with the rest of the sweet lullaby.

I'd bet good money there was a rhyming line or two removed because it just didn't sell disposable diapers.

I hate it even more when the music is familiar and after I've gotten suckered into listening to it, there's a jarring disconnect for me when a part is missing from the middle. I completely lose the thread -- which is probably not what the ad makers intend -- while I replay the piece with the missing chunk restored. A teeny example is the commercial for some car (see? I don't remember which one) using "Whatever Lola Wants" from Damn Yankees. They removed the lyrics in brackets to redirect the surrogate driver's lust to the car:

    Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets [And little man, little] Lola wants you

So while I'm thinking "WTF? There was a line missing there! Mmm, I haven't seen that movie since I was a kid. Gwen Vernon was pretty great. So was Art Carney." the ad rolls on, straight over my head.

And don't get me started on instrumental pieces. It's like hearing a recording skip, only someone has paid to have it done. Hate.
 

[Silver Raven]

2 hours ago, friendperidot said:

Ad for diapers, don't really pay much attention. Song, "we all need a hug in the morning and one at the end of the day, (so far ok) it's my belief, for instant relief (rhymes) that a hug is the best one at all." The ending sucks, it doesn't go with the rest of the sweet lullaby.

Edited because the ad came on and I was able to get the lyrics right.

The song is an old Irish folk song.

[bilgistic]

I also posted about that dumb commercial. The song rhymes (in that clip). The commercial's version is just stupid. Irrational anger!!

[friendperidot]

I didn't know that it was an old Irish Folk song, learn something new everyday. Glad to know it irritates others with the way it's done in the ad. 

I love Damn Yankees! Haven't seen it forever. And Coderlady, it drives me crazy when they use an old song and leave out part of the lyrics.

And after humming it a little, I think it might be "My Bonny" If not exactly, a lot of similar parts.

Edited November 3, 2016 by friendperidot

[Jamoche]

10 hours ago, CoderLady said:

I'd bet good money there was a rhyming line or two removed because it just didn't sell disposable diapers.

I hate it even more when the music is familiar and after I've gotten suckered into listening to it, there's a jarring disconnect for me when a part is missing from the middle.
 

Back when Carmina Burana was everywhere, they'd cut out bits randomly in the middle leaving nonsensical sentence fragments. I know people who've sung it and people who know Latin, and it annoyed them both.

[Rinaldo]

22 hours ago, CoderLady said:

So while I'm thinking "WTF? There was a line missing there! Mmm, I haven't seen that movie [Damn Yankees] since I was a kid. Gwen Vernon was pretty great. So was Art Carney."

I agree that Art Carney was a terrific actor, but what does he have to do with Damn Yankees?

[friendperidot]

Quote

I agree that Art Carney was a terrific actor, but what does he have to do with Damn Yankees?

 I missed that, maybe coderlady meant Ray Walston?

[CoderLady]

I thought Art Carney played the guy whose wish turned him into the young ball player but now that I check IMDb I see I was wrong. I haven't seen the movie since I was a kidlet. Must find and rewatch. And get a "What Lola Wants" fix straight from the source.

[scarletine]

I don't think I've seen this commercial mentioned yet, but I just LOVE the music. So much I went out to Amazon and bought it. 

[Jamoche]

Disney has gone too far. They have made an ad with the earworm, the one before which all other earworms bow down in worship, the one outlawed by the Geneva Convention...

"It's a Small World".

And I was stuck trying to make a "knit 5 together" so I couldn't just drop things and grab the remote.

[Brattinella]

6 hours ago, Jamoche said:

Disney has gone too far. They have made an ad with the earworm, the one before which all other earworms bow down in worship, the one outlawed by the Geneva Convention...

"It's a Small World".

And I was stuck trying to make a "knit 5 together" so I couldn't just drop things and grab the remote.

NO NO NO NO NO!!  I made the HUGE mistake of riding that on my first visit to DIsneyland (my all-time favorite place) and within the first 5 minutes or so I was plugging my ears.  GOD what a horrible, horrible ride/song!

[Prevailing Wind]

I went on that ride when it was in the Pepsi Pavilion at the NY World's Fair in 64. That was its debut.  Hated it and Pepsi ever since.

[Sandman87]

I've noticed in the last few years that producers seem to have rediscovered gypsy swing for the background music in their commercials. It's well suited to ads with an upbeat feel.

[riley702]

Re "gypsy swing": I know it isn't, but this is what I think of. You're welcome.

[AimingforYoko]

Fidelity Investments is using The Specials' "A Message to You, Rudy" for their latest ads. Other than someone at the ad agency being a ska fan, it seems an odd choice.

[proserpina65]

On ‎10‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 10:29 PM, riley702 said:

Shit. Another good song ruined.

I like that ad.  Despite not liking the original song at all.

Edited December 12, 2016 by proserpina65

[proserpina65]

On ‎11‎/‎02‎/‎2016 at 9:13 PM, bilgistic said:

I also posted about that dumb commercial. The song rhymes (in that clip). The commercial's version is just stupid. Irrational anger!!

I think they ran the original, longer version at first.  I saw it maybe once or twice.  It still kind of annoyed me because if I want instant relief, a hug is not going to do it, but the edited version is worse since it does not rhyme.