Let me start out with an apology. This post will make you watch commercials. Actually, if I’m going to split hairs, this post really only requires that you listen to commercials. So, if you’re against our culture’s rampant consumerism, just click play and turn your head. OK, end of apology. Though, really, considering all the great music in commercials these days, I don’t think I have much to be sorry about. In fact, quite the opposite. I mean, any ad that includes a phenomenal artist like Feist is an ad that will make me stop channel surfing. Each time the ever-present iPod nano commercial featuring Feist’s video for “1234” comes on, I feel like dancing. Or, more accurately, I feel like dancing in a big Technicolor Broadway spectacular. Thanks to Scribe Grrrl, I had discovered the Canadian chanteuse before the ad hit the airwaves. Since the commercials began airing, Feist’s album sales have soared. To which I say, bless you Steve Jobs.
Which brings me to some other ads – I mean, songs – I’ve been enjoying recently. For years now, Madison Avenue has tapped little-known indie artists for use in national campaigns. It’s the proverbial win-win for all parties involved. The company gets cool cred, the artist get exposure and we get to discover cool new music. Old Navy’s latest spots had me wondering, “Hey, who sings that sweater song?” Turns out it is New York—based singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. Her song is called “The Way I Am.” And while the commercial is decidedly heterosexual, the cute ditty could also be given a gay makeover. Seriously, what guy would willingly wear his girlfriend’s sweater? Totally gay. Or at least that is how it is playing out in my head.
Almost as irresistibly cute, and catchy: The Icicles and their song “La Ti Da” for Target. Now, I love Target anyway. If I could, I would just live there. For real. And these ads make me want to pogo into the stores and go shopping with Jack LaLanne. Seriously, I’ve been humming this song for days now. The Michigan quintet also gets bonus points for the cute promo shots of themselves dressed as ’70s era flight attendants.
But my all-time favorite music in an ad is still Nick Drake‘s “Pink Moon” for Volkswagen. This was the first ad that made me go, “Wow, who is that singing and how do I buy it?” It also made me want to buy a convertible and go driving along windy country roads at night. But, sadly, I could only afford Nick’s CD.
Now, I know some purists will cry sellout when it comes to commercial use of artists’ work. But in an industry where it has become increasingly hard for independent musicians to find footing, unconventional exposure like this could mean the difference between having a hit single and eating ramen three meals a day. And as long as the music is good, I’m only too happy to listen. So, do you have any favorite ad tunes? Post ’em in the comments section below. Just don’t blame me when they get stuck in your head for the next two days.
