To find more popular lyrics used in TV commercials, check out Lyricsanimal. They also have the newest lyrics used to make big sales on TV.
There was a time when music and lyrics, called jingles, would be specifically written for products advertised on TV. Although there are still advertisers who hire songwriters to write specific music and lyrics for their particular product, many have switched to licensing popular songs to use in their TV ads. This is because many people are already familiar with the music and lyrics of these songs, so an instant, pleasant association is created with the products being advertised. These are a few of those songs.
"Rock and Roll" - by Led Zeppelin
Commercial: Cadillac
When Led Zeppelin sold this song and its classic lyrics to Cadillac, many die-hard fans screamed, "SELLOUT!" Especially because, until that time, Zeppelin had a strict anti-licensing policy regarding all of their songs and lyrics. It was rumored that singer Robert Plant opposed licensing the song to Cadillac and was outvoted by guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones, although he stated in a Chicago Sun Times article that he thought the ad would be a great medium for exposing the song to a generation of new listeners who never tune in to classic radio. Still, there are very few Zep fans who don't cringe when some kid refers to "Rock and Roll" as "The Cadillac Song."
"Revolution" - by The Beatles
Commercial: Nike
"Revolution" was one of the first songs to set off the widespread licensing of song lyrics and music for TV commercials, and it also set off a huge uproar among Beatles' fans, who felt it disrespected John Lennon's memory, and his political beliefs. Unfortunately, the surviving Beatles could not control their song performance rights, which were held by Capitol Records, or the rights to their lyrics and music, which were held by Michael Jackson. Still the controversy was so fierce that Nike ditched plans to use Beatles songs in future TV ads.
"Lust for Life" - by Iggy Pop
Commercial: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
A cruise line that advertises itself with the music and lyrics of a song about heroin addiction? Now, that's REALLY freestyle cruising! Royal Caribbean wanted to be associated with the song's upbeat tempo, and the lyrics of its chorus, which emphasize living life with gusto. But it definitely didn't want to be associated with any questionable lyrics. So the version used in the commercial begins with the lyrics, "Here comes Johnny Yen again," skips past "With the liquor and drugs/And the flesh machine/He's gonna do another strip tease," and jumps right to the chorus, "Lust for life."
"Baby Come Back" - by Player
Commercial: Swiffer WetJet
The music and lyrics of this 1978 #1 hit were given new life in a Swiffer WetJet commercial. A lover's lament, those lyrics, "Baby come back/You can blame it all on me/I was wrong/And I just can't live without you," are now being sung by mops that are apparently stalking women who've ditched them for the dapper and dashing Swiffer WetJet. The mops try to woo the ladies back by crooning this song's lyrics, and sending them flowers and candy. They may be housewives, but c'mon--they're not desperate!!
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Avail Music CDs and DVDs at Cheaper Prices and Get Lost in Rhythms of Music
By: Henry Kruz | 21/12/2009Music is liked by the people of every time and place. These days availing music CDs and DVDs has become a very easy task. You can get them from a plenty of online stores and affiliate websites.
How to get a Metal Record Deal
By: Al Dawson | 20/12/2009Advice for musicians looking to get signed
Billy-Eliot-The-Musical
By: Frankie Morrison | 20/12/2009Billy Elliot Tickets are so difficult to get a hold of that you may have to wait months to get them at a great price and when you want to watch the show. prices start from around £60 but can be purchased for about £40 if you are lucky. Midweek performances are the best especially if you are in a large group, the best available seats can be purchased for a reduced rate of around £33.50. The next best seating agreements are saturday Matinee Group Rate : The best seats a...
Hip-hop a growing trend?
By: Ray Subs | 20/12/2009Is hop-hip growing in the music world?
How To Sing - Fixing Breaks In The Voice
By: Rae Henry | 20/12/2009One of the most common issues that singers experience when learning how to sing, is a 'break' in their voice. This usually occurs when you're singing from your lower register - namely the 'chest' register, where you use your 'speaking' notes - up to your 'middle' register, notes you might use in more animated or excited speech.
How to Fine Tune Your Singing Voice with a Karaoke Player
By: Ty Cohen | 20/12/2009In an ideal world all aspiring singers would have ample funds to hire a full time, private vocal coach to work with them every day to fine tune their natural talent. But few people can afford such a luxury. Likewise, not many people have a karaoke machine at home. But nearly everyone has a computer and you can now download a karaoke player onto your laptop or desk top. Most are free unless you want one with special extras.
Ty Cohen Presents a Review of the Top 3 Music Business Books That Every Artist, Singer, Musician and Rapper Should Read - Part III
By: Ty Cohen | 20/12/2009The one thing that nobody seems to have enough of these days is time. This is especially true when you are building a career. For aspiring musicians, singers and songwriters, learning how to establish, promote and sustain a career is a full time job in and of itself and would leave little time for working on music. That’s why The Indie Bible is considered one of the most thorough and valuable resources for anyone in the music business but especially newcomers.
Instrument tuning can be a reluctant chore for many musicians
By: Paul Ingersole | 20/12/2009Pay attention to sources of friction. They can cause tuning issues. Common problems are a nut on the instrument being too tight. This will cause the string to pull flat as it is played. It will also cause the pitch of the string to change in steps rather than evenly.
The Fascinating Origins of Christmas Carols and Their Lyrics
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | Music‘Tis the season to be jolly -— and to learn a few things, as well. Don’t worry, though —- you won’t have to stop decking the halls with boughs of holly, drinking your eggnog, or sneaking kisses under the mistletoe to attend any classes, or write the equivalent of a Masters thesis. Just take a quick, fun break and find out where Christmas carols and the lyrics that we love come from.
An All-access Pass to Pleasure -- Lyrics About Groupies
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicBands entertain audiences with their lyrics and musical abilities, and groupies entertain bands with....well....other abilities. Some groupies have even become as famous, or infamous, as the bands and musicians they've seduced.
Songs of Death and Destruction - Nursery Rhyme Lyrics
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicNursery rhyme lyrics sound like sugar and spice and everything nice, but many have real meanings that would send children into therapy for the rest of their lives. These seemingly innocent lyrics actually conceal nightmarish stories about beheadings, the black plague, and war.
Wedding Songs With Lyrics That are Oh-so-wrong
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicYou’re getting married! Congratulations! You’re trying to choose songs with music and lyrics that will escalate this event from special to extraordinary. But if “Here Comes the Bride,” makes you think, “There goes my lunch,” something less traditional—and more distinctive—might be more your style.
Novelty Lyrics That Put the "fun" in Funny
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicNovelty songs are like jokes set to music. They may parody other song lyrics, or just be so funny or plain ridiculous that they get incessant airplay -- until they become completely annoying. Their music and lyrics enjoy their 15 minutes of fame, and some of them even endure as part of popular culture.
Too Much Isn't Enough -- Lyrics About Rock Star Excesses
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicWhen musicians meet with Success, it often introduces them to its good friend, Excess. But Excess is a bad influence that hangs out with shady characters like Alcoholism, Drunk Driving, Drugs, Overdose and Insanity. Many successful musicians have written music and lyrics about their misadventures with Excess and its gang.
Get Lost and Stay There - Ultimatum Lyrics
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicOne person in a relationship has had enough. They're sick and tired. Finished. And there's no negotiating. They want the other person out of their life -- and fast. They're done being diplomatic, and they express their feelings in lyrics that cut like a wood-chipper -- or, possibly worse, in humorous lyrics that make the former love of their life the butt of a joke.
Today's Forecast -- Song Lyrics About the Weather
By: Merryl Lentz | 31/12/2008 | MusicWe've all been in this situation -- in the elevator with a stranger, or when first meeting someone new -- the awkwardness in the air is heavier than plutonium, and they turn to you and start talking about....THE WEATHER! Oh, no, no, no -- anything but THAT!