All-Time Worst Use of a Classic Song in a TV Commercial

[spencerkarter85]

There was this Twix commercial with two lazy cops singing Nothing Can Stop Us Now by Starship. And another 1980s song Fascination by the Human League was used in Verizon and Old Navy (I think).

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

Years ago...(maybe the 90's) a gas/convenience store retailer in the Southwest called Diamond Shamrock used Creedence Clearwater Revival's Down On The Corner in their radio ads.

"Down on the Corner Diamond Shamrock's all you need."

To this day I hate hearing that song.

Can't say that I blame you. Shame the commercial ruined it for you, "Corner" is really a bouncy, fun little song. I too live in the Southwest, but don't recall that commercial. What state did it play? I have lived in West Texas, New Mexico & Colorado, where Diamond Shamrocks abound.

 

[ajc_trw]

Years ago...(maybe the 90's) a gas/convenience store retailer in the Southwest called Diamond Shamrock used Creedence Clearwater Revival's Down On The Corner in their radio ads.

"Down on the Corner Diamond Shamrock's all you need."

To this day I hate hearing that song.

Can't say that I blame you. Shame the commercial ruined it for you, "Corner" is really a bouncy, fun little song. I too live in the Southwest, but don't recall that commercial. What state did it play? I have lived in West Texas, New Mexico & Colorado, where Diamond Shamrocks abound.

I guess I'm of the opposite opinion as when they play a song during a commercial my mind completely grooves to the tune and tunes out whatever they're selling.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

It aired all during the World Series and appeared again today during the Bears-Chargers on CBS, but I am sick of the Volkswagen ads with people messing up the lyrics to Elton John's "Rocket Man." I know some people out there might think it's funny--and probably would have been the first few times--but when run ad nauseum it gets stupid.

 

[John-Summers]

Here's a contemporary use of a good old song that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. Big Lots - y'know, the discount department store - is using "Think," belted out by someone trying to sound like Aretha Franklin. They play it in the store incessantly. The chorus goes like this:

Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lots! Talkin' 'bout valuuuue!

And repeat. It runs about a minute and they play it at full volume, or at least it seems. Pa-thet-ic.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/86/86qsoldoutgold.phtml

Classic and true! ;D

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

Here's a contemporary use of a good old song that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. Big Lots - y'know, the discount department store - is using "Think," belted out by someone trying to sound like Aretha Franklin. They play it in the store incessantly. The chorus goes like this:

Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lots! Talkin' 'bout valuuuue!

And repeat. It runs about a minute and they play it at full volume, or at least it seems. Pa-thet-ic.

Till now, there were a dozen reasons I wouldn't shopped Big Lots. Make that 13...

 

[ajc_trw]

Here's a contemporary use of a good old song that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. Big Lots - y'know, the discount department store - is using "Think," belted out by someone trying to sound like Aretha Franklin.

That's my breaking point. If you're going to use a classic song you'd better pay the extra $ for the original recording or FORGET IT!

 

[firepoint525]

Years ago...(maybe the 90's) a gas/convenience store retailer in the Southwest called Diamond Shamrock used Creedence Clearwater Revival's Down On The Corner in their radio ads.
"Down on the Corner Diamond Shamrock's all you need."
To this day I hate hearing that song.

Fortunately, I don't live where I could have ever heard that ad, so I still like the CCR song. I would hate to have it ruined like that.

Here's a contemporary use of a good old song that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. Big Lots - y'know, the discount department store - is using "Think," belted out by someone trying to sound like Aretha Franklin.

That's my breaking point. If you're going to use a classic song you'd better pay the extra $ for the original recording or FORGET IT!

They would simply pass the extra cost on to you (if you shop there, that is!).

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

Here's a contemporary use of a good old song that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. Big Lots - y'know, the discount department store - is using "Think," belted out by someone trying to sound like Aretha Franklin. They play it in the store incessantly. The chorus goes like this:

Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lottts!
Background singers: Valuuuue!
Singer: Big Lots! Talkin' 'bout valuuuue!

And repeat. It runs about a minute and they play it at full volume, or at least it seems. Pa-thet-ic.

Till now, there were a dozen reasons I wouldn't shopped Big Lots. Make that 13...

BIG LOTTTS, BIG LOTTS... A more meaningful choice might have been FISH-HEADS, FISH-HEADS...

 

[firepoint525]

I'm reminded of the Snickers commercial in which Aretha Franklin appears as a diva, but does NOT sing. She represents a backseat passenger in the car who complains a lot. Funny ad!

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

The examples are too numerous to list right now, but I will just cast a collective vote for any and all automobile sales commercials who adapt classic Christmas songs/hymns for use as sales jingles (e.g. Nissan).

 

[RyanHoward]

I do notice there are not very many current/recent songs used for commercials. There has got to be a reason they use the Oldies.

K.T. Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" (2006 or thereabouts) is already being used on its second commercial campaign, this time for Rooms to Go. It was previously used in a Goody's/T.J.Maxx or similar store campaign.

That song was also used in the second season of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, for
the eliminated female contestant.

 

[CrankyYankee]

In light of the recent passing of Andrea Truden/Andrea True, the use of her song, "More, More, More" to sell Honey Bunches of Oats cereal may qualify as at least a strange use of the tune, IMHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpgbTwKdiI8

 

[bpatrick]

The examples are too numerous to list right now, but I will just cast a collective vote for any and all automobile sales commercials who adapt classic Christmas songs/hymns for use as sales jingles (e.g. Nissan).

You may be referring to one in particular: "It's The Most Wonderful Sale Of The Year," a rewrite of Andy Williams' "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year." Except for a cute girl who says, "Hurry in!" I'm already sick of that commercial.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

The examples are too numerous to list right now, but I will just cast a collective vote for any and all automobile sales commercials who adapt classic Christmas songs/hymns for use as sales jingles (e.g. Nissan).

One of those auto spots is milking "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ad nauseum.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

Target just started airing a Christmas spot. Can't remember the title of the holiday number used for the music bed (something about bells?). But the video of a female shopper accompanying with her own lyrics, "rum tummy tum, rum tummy tum" is hysterical, to me at least. Ah, but the day is young. This too will likely grow old...

 

[flashback]

target used canned heats"lets get together" some years ago.

that was so wrong.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

target used canned heats"lets get together" some years ago.

that was so wrong.

Now that was a bulls-eye. EEEEEEWWWWWW...

 

[firepoint525]

The examples are too numerous to list right now, but I will just cast a collective vote for any and all automobile sales commercials who adapt classic Christmas songs/hymns for use as sales jingles (e.g. Nissan).

You may be referring to one in particular: "It's The Most Wonderful Sale Of The Year," a rewrite of Andy Williams' "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year." Except for a cute girl who says, "Hurry in!" I'm already sick of that commercial.

The examples are too numerous to list right now, but I will just cast a collective vote for any and all automobile sales commercials who adapt classic Christmas songs/hymns for use as sales jingles (e.g. Nissan).

One of those auto spots is milking "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ad nauseum.

Here in the Nashville area, Charter Communications started using "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at the beginning of football season, and used it for a couple of months! (With lyrics changed to football themes, of course :) So needless to say, I was already sick of it by the time Nissan started using it! Can't find the mute button fast enought!

It's the most OVERRATED time of the year! :