Dissertation Help- Songs on adverts...

bmn100 · Post by **bmn100** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:26 pm

Your dissertation topic sounds very interesting, and it sounds as if you've made a good choice there, although may I suggest re-assessing it to focus on how the music helped sales (instead of placing the emphasis solely on the music itself).

I'd also be careful of the way in which you're viewing your research. You seem to be putting the horse before the cart. It's better to look for journals, articles, etc, etc and find popular examples that others have used. It's all well and good using primary research, but don't neglect your secondary stuff either.

Anyhow, a few high profile examples (of which I'm sure there's been plenty written about) include Coca-cola's "I'd like to teach the world to sing" campaign, Levi's advertisements with "heard it on the grapevine", Stiltskin "Inside" and, of course, Babylon Zoo's "Spaceman".

stewedrat1947 · Post by **stewedrat1947** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:13 pm

I would agree on some of the music being memorable enough to make me want to buy the song

Such as "Phat Planet" by Leftfield (Guinness), but also
"Song 2" by Blur (Vodafone) - I think it was the one where they all (four "student" types - 2 males/2 females) stripped off and jumped in the sea

Not forgetting "Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin, and "You don't love me anymore" (can't remember artist name) for Nissan Micra

I also remember when "The Independant" started in 1986 I rather liked the music - which turned out to be "Music For A Found Harmonium" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra - oddly enough it is currently being used on a advert (possibly for one of the big supermarkets) - but it is actually the Patrick Street cover version.

My current favourite album is "Exile on Coldharbour Lane" by Alabama 3 - which dates from 1997 - one of the tracks "Woke up this morning" has had a bit of a renaissance as it was featured as the title music to "The Sopranos"

maxromeo · Post by **maxromeo** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:28 am

Audi Q7: Glacier - E-Vax (Couldn't remember what advert this music came from, had to search for it)
Sony Bravia: Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez
Sony Ericsson mobile ad: Jump On Foot - Holiday For Strings
Some hair gel advert: A Walk In The Dark - Whitey

The last two I can't remember specific product names, and I can't find them searching either.
Hope that helps.

Hgnejfl · Post by **Hgnejfl** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:24 pm

I think there was one of those Channel 4 50 Greatest... programmes about this sort of thing. The list might be somewhere on the interweb if you fish around.

One that really comes to mind, and I remember it being close to the top of the programme's list was Midge Ure's Breathe for the Swatch advert. Mr. Oizo's Flat Beat for Levi's is another.

Ronaldwrist · Post by **Ronaldwrist** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:14 pm

in terms of songs that have become a success off the back of adverts:

'bohemian like you' by the dandy warhols earned a rerelease after featuring in a vodafone advert

bran van 3000's 'drinking in la' found success after featuring in a rolling rock advert

more recently, yael naim's 'new soul' topped itunes download charts after soundtracking adverts for the macbook air (or whatever the tiny one's called)...and, from what i remember, the flat eric one previously mentioned is similar!

there must be many, many more, especially since the download boom/