OT: Music in Commercials

I don't so much object to appropriating a 'favorite' old song into some of
these ads...what I really dislike is the use of a well known song with 'new'
lyrics written to promote a product. I recently saw an ad for something I
totally forget, but it used the melody from WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW... a
lovely song. Why aren't the producers of these ads hiring people to write a
new 'jingle'? How much can it possibly cost to employ a 'jingle writer'...?

...on the other hand... (totally unrelated musically) I think the Geico
'caveman' ads (here in the US)are very funny...the guy that portrays the
caveman has nailed that character down. I love the reaction he has when he
passes the billboard in the airport, and does a 'double-take'...priceless.

tom...

The trend for many years now with the all-impatient ad agencies is to
buy the rights to a song. Why? Because they feel there is instant
recognizability by the consumer. What they don't understand is, the
consumer...half the time...doesn't remember the product...just the
song;). I can't tell you how many agencies I've had this discussion
with...I've done a lot of national commericals over the years and it's
a losing fight. They want a well known song.

Lookingglass...

My point exactly! I can remember 'jingles' from my childhood...AND the
product. I can't remember the one I saw with the new lyrics to What The
World Needs Now. Go Figure!?!

Since "Like a Rock" (and before) the trend is, buy the rights, get
instant gratification. It is very unusual for them to change the lyrics
(it happens but not often) because that is up to the composer/publisher
whether that permission is granted, and it usually isn't, thank
heavens, or we'd be hearing "All You Need is Dove."

For the record, most all "jingle writers" (we don't call them that
anymore;)) are serious music producers and composers that have to pay

Lookingglass...

Sorry...I meant no disrespect. I am aware that these are not 'fly by night'
composers. Everybody has to pay the rent. ;^)

are serious music producers and composers that have to pay

bills. All of my friends in the industry are also producers, and legit
writers (meaning they would much rather be doing films, producing their
own music, or that of others, and often are)..... we do it only because
one can actually gets paid for writing music, unlike the record
business;).

Tom H (by the way, Merry Xmas Dave!)

Lookingglass...

And for you and yours too Tom.

Sixties Gen...

I still wonder where the yellow went.

Lookingglass...

That is absolutely brilliant...that was the FIRST 'jingle' that popped into
my mind!!! PLOP PLOP FIZZ FIZZ... ;^)

They were very catchy little 'ditties'. Again...no offense implied Tom. ;^)

My argument for years, besides the use of a song that may have been of
great personal and/or sentimental value to a whole generation now being
used to sell cornflakes...why is the industry so lazy?..."jingles" were
wonderful. They stay in your mind forever. Mad Ave is missing the
boat here.

Lookingglass...

I agree. But I'm not on the board. Tom has a better chance of convincing
them than I do.

Ho Ho Ho