As Heard On TV: Songs From Commercials Mix Vol.1 Sep 28 '03    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line Put these songs on, people will be impressed by your commercial song prowess. Isn't it funny that some of the best songs out there are the ones from commercials? And over the years it seems as though the songs in commercials are better than the ones on the radio and so I thought it would be fun to compile a mix of my favorite songs as seen in commercials. Impress your friends with all of your commercial music research and perhaps you might even discover some new tunes along the way. Not all of the commercials are great, but damn the music sure can move you. And when available, I included a link to where you can see the commercials in action. 01. Artist:J. Ralph Song: A Million Miles Away Commercial: Volkswagen Jetta "The Big Day" commercial. You've seen it - guy driving his car, trying to get somewhere fast but just can't seem to go fast enough and when he gets to his destination - it's a church and his burst through the doors the priest is asking about holding your peace. The bride looks at him and you know something is up. Why: This is my favorite commercial of all times. You feel so many emotions in such a short time, hell - had I been rich I would have ran right out and bought a Jetta right on the spot. Where to see it: (http://www.tevis.net/weblog/archives/00000127.htm) 02. Artist:Nick Drake Song:Pink Moon Commercial: Volkswagen Cabrio. Two kids are in search of a party and come across a wooded area where they look up and what do they see? You guessed it, a pink moon. Why: Considering the fact that Nick Drake wasn't really on the minds of the young generation (the album Pink Moon was released in 1972), it shed new light on his beautiful artistry and talent. And the commercial was cute too. 03. Artist:Dirty Vegas Song: Days Go By Commercial: Mitsubishi Eclipse "Break Dancing Girl". You've seen it 2134080983498 times; kids are driving and this song comes on inspiring the kids in the car to just dance - one in particular (the girl) is going at it in the front seat, it was a great commercial moment. Why: Because how ingenious was it to feature break-dancing and dance music in a commercial for a car you're trying to sell to this generation? I like that Mitsubishi had the balls to do it, and it worked. 04. Artist: Styx Song:Mr. Roboto Commercial: Volkswagen Jetta. Just like all Volkswagen commercials (and there are quite a few on this list), it appeals to that super-consumer focused Generation X crowd for being trendy and hip as the song plays and the guy does, well - the robot: it was funny the first 1239 times I saw it. Why: This song is campy, cheeky and just generally fun. While the commercial isn't all that memorable, the song really made it something worth stopping to watch it for. 05. Artist:Propellerheads featuring Shirley Bassey Song:History Repeating Commercial: It was for a Jaguar, something I will never own, but will continue to lust after. The commercial featured rapid shots of just life in general, nothing to special, but the music was great. Why: I think this was Jaguar's attempt at being hip and while it was both of those things, I don't know many Folks in my age bracket who can afford jags. 06. Artist:Telepop Musik Song:Breathe Commercial: Mitsubishi Outlander commercial. You see a guy and as he's driving - the passengers in his car are the things he goes through in life. I thought it was really smart because the message they were trying to convey was that this car was something that could grow with you. Smart, very smart. Why: Coming in a real close second for my favorite commercial of all times, part of it is the images and part is the music - but this commercial always makes me want to cry. I especially love the wife, labor and child part of it. 07. Artist:Sarah Vaughn Song:Whatever Lola Wants Commercial: Levi's. Girl in tight jeans, in command of her own sexuality as she paints and spills some on her jeans. You get the message: wear Levi's and boys will be at your beck and call. Why: Sarah Vaughn is one of the names that always pops up to the top of the list when you're mentioning jazz legends and with good reason. She has an almost hypnotizing growl to her voice and it was perfect for the sex appeal they were trying to convey in this commercial. 08. Artist:American Breed Song:Bend Me, Shape Me Commercial: Gap commercial featuring supermodel Shalom Harlow as she bends and stretches in her new Gap stretch jeans. Why: Even if Gap is probably responsible for 80% of third world labor, they do have some damn good commercials, you gotta at least give them that. And this song's title was a jackpot for them because it definitely gets their message across that these jeans are gonna move with you. The song is still better than the commercial. 09.Artist:Simian Song:La Breeze Commercial: American Eagle Outfitters "Reissue" commercial. Why: This song is just one of "those" songs. You know - the ones that get stuck in your head, take up permanent residence and refuse to ever leave. But those are the fun ones you find yourself humming in quiet situations that make you smile. See it: http://www.ae.com/aestyle/com/bg.htm 10.Artist: Kinky Song: Mas Commercial: Nissan Altima V6, Theme song to NBC's "Kingpin" tv show, On ads for NipTuck. Why: Quite possibly on the verge of being annoyingly used everywhere. "Mas" (Spanish for more) is one of those songs that makes you dance like a freak in a club and that just has a lot of powerful raw energy. And Because I'm Kind 2 Bonus Tracks 11. Artist: Walkmen Song:We've Been Had Commercial: Saturn Ion Leaving Childhood commercial. The first in a line of commercials by the genius ad makers at Saturn. This one in particular features all of these kids having fun in their, you guessed it - childhood and the cars occupants looking a wee bit nostalgic as they drive through town and "leave childhood" Why: Who doesn't like to reminisce about their childhood? And it was so smart that they showed it as a town that you drove through and could see all your memories. 12. Artist: Alphaville Song:Forever Young Commercial: Saturn High School commercial. here a group of kids are riding in their car (a Saturn, duh!) and see all the memories of high school as they drive and at the end, there's a sign that says leaving high school (collective awwwww!). Why: Again, it's just the emotion of the whole commercial. I had to give Saturn credit for this series of commercials (there are 2 more in the series) and what they were able to make me feel in such a short amount of time. Kudos to them.

Read all comments (7)|Write your own comment

Write an essay on this topic.