Welcome back, you rockers! Have you ever watched your favorite TV show and see a commercial on with a familiar tune on it? Yes, I have. It's been happening more and more lately. I think it's sad. I've heard many rock and roll tunes used in many commercials. Take Led Zeppelin "Rock and Roll" for Mercedes Benz , Heart "Barracuda" for a Nisson van, and the Beatles "Revolution" for Nike shoes for examples. Even songs from the Who are used in the CSI television series as the opening theme.
This bums me out. I've always felt a song should fit to listener's personal experience, not to sell products. How would you feel if a Bob Dylan song (or any other classic tune) be used in a commercial selling laundry detergent?
On the flip side, I read an interview about Pete Townsend that gave me some insight. Yes, it's the artist's right to do whatever they pleased with their music. I may not like it, but I have to agree with the facts.
So what are your thoughts about this?
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I think "the times they are a changin," sorry, couldn't resist.
To begin with, I didn't like it. Then, after thinking about it, why not? It promotes the band and the song.
After so many years, these songs are no longer protected and anyone can use them. Why not let the band, who came up with the fresh material, benefit the most from it?
It is funny to hear kids say, "Hey, that is the song from Shrek" when they hear the song, I'm a believer. To me, that song is The Monkeys... and only the Monkeys.
KK-very good insight! That one thing I like about the Guitar Heroes video games. They gave my son a world of knowledge of rock and roll.
I see KK's point and think that would be the mature attitude to take but darn it, i have to be honest: It bugs me! Why would a band like The Who or Zeppelin need MORE MONEY or recognition. Yes, they have a right to do whatever they want with their music but I feel sad too when I hear it used for TV ads to sell products...it feels embarrassing, like it cheapens the music. So far (knock on wood) Bruce Springsteen has stuck by his word to never sell out and let any of his music be used commercially. I hope he sticks to it. I would be heartbroken listening to "Born to Run" being played during an ad.
Barbara-my thoughts exactly! It does cheapen the music. Sometimes it's downright embarrasing!
This and Teenage Wasteland.
Guess it helps to read the blog. Sometimes deafness is a boon, sometimes a hindrance. Haven't heard any of the ads mentioned and didn't know the extent or the problem. Look at it another way. We post so many links and have so much downloaded music (not me but I know some friends... ) how can having it in an ad make it any cheaper than the thievery that has happened for yeas?
If you mean cheapens the memories, nothing that happens now can cheapen what you hold in you heart. If the mere use of a song in an ad cheapens that experience, then it wasn't a true valuable experience to begin with.
If I could hear, I might groan at the ads with the music, but the ads have no impact on my life and times. Teenage Wasteland as on an episode of House and I never found myself up in arms over it. I did find myself smiling at some memories though.
I hate the ads that use music from "my generation" and refuse to buy the products that they are endorsing. Here is an especially egregious violation, in my opinion: Dennis Hopper selling out the Spencer Davis Group, himself, and the dreams of a generation. Oink!
On a more local note, the Violent Femmes have been torn apart by Gordno Gano's decision to sell their music for commercial endorsements. Fellow band member Brian Ritchie has even filed suit in an effort to stop the sale.
Btw, drew, extremely good topic. You come up with some great ones!
Yes, drew, thanks for piquing our interest. Sometimes your revival gets me to just turn on the tunes, when life makes it too easy to get caught up in more "adult" things.
More on the subject... Newer bands are now being discovered due to their music being used in the media and in tv shows. It is a new world and I think we just have to embrace the change, hold on, and go for the ride.
Who would have thought that new bands would GIVE away their music via downloads? What is happening is that instead of a few music producing fat-cat giants determining what we, as the public, do and don't like, we get to determine it. I like that!
Huck-well said!
Orbs-thanks!
kk-that's true! One of my favorite shows, Smallville, features an excellent tune from Remy Zero. That song blew me away!
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