Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.

Subject: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Johnny J
Date: 19 Nov 25 - 12:52 PM

Oh, maybe it's because I'm a folk music fan but this advert really upsets me.

Any idea who these people are?

https://www.facebook.com/simplicitycremations/videos/1361573455522483/

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 25 - 01:01 PM

Yechh.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Johnny J
Date: 19 Nov 25 - 01:05 PM

Indeed. :-(

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 02:21 AM

Well, it's not the first time the advertising industry has had a go at Folk song and dance. Remember the lager advert and the portrayal of a Morris dancer? This sort of thing does nobody any favours. As for the singers-well I'm sure the money was very good. Not going to improve their chances of a career in the clubs and festivals, but then if they were that bothered, they would not have done it in the first place. Serves them right. Many others and I worked extensively in TV to bring in some dosh, mainly extra work in films and soap operas, so there is no excuse for this.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 02:28 AM

reminds me of the quote “I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.”
- Woody Allen

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Sean O'Shea
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 02:29 AM

Totally Agree.The whole range of adverts for pre-arranged direct cremations is becoming offensive and unsavoury.Death is presented as a joyful event and the 'folk duo's one of the worst advertising angles I ever saw.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 04:39 AM

I haven't looked at it, it might put me off having a direct cremation!

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 04:52 AM

But it's got you all talking about here. I had never heard of Simplicity Cremations .... but I have now.

DC

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 05:07 AM

Aye, first came across it a few days ago. As we in Scotland say, "Boak" ! We're discussing it here, but do you really think they've made any sales as a result of this ad? And I don't really care who they are. I hope they find better employment.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: DaveRo
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 05:14 AM

Part of Dignity Group

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 05:22 AM

.... do you really think they've made any sales as a result of this ad

In the advertising world, there's no such a thing as bad publicity.

DC

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 06:17 AM

There is in the Folk world.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Sol
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 06:43 AM

"Way to go"?
For me, it won't be with them after watching that disasteful ad.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 08:11 AM

it rather disproves Martin Carthys comment" the only way to damage a song is by not singing it"

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 09:17 AM

Wow. I thought we couldn't go lower in bad taste than the ads for feminine products with women in pure white shorts bending forward in closeup (e.g. when they're playing tennis or something), and upside-down hearts on toilet paper packs with the accompanying logo "Love your bum," but this one really takes the biscuit. I can't wait for the before-and-after diarrhoea remedy ads...

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 09:19 AM

Back to the question, any idea who those folks are? Is it real or is there AI going on in there?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 09:24 AM

AI? Afterlife Info?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 09:29 AM

I do not recognise the artists in question

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 20 Nov 25 - 11:47 AM

I never thought that there might be AI involved. I should have done bearing in mind my comments on the currently running thread about 'Banned Songs'. I think we are all in agreement here.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 04:12 AM

A quick Google reveals that these people are English folk duo, Megson, aka Stu and Debbie Hanna.
I am attending the cremation service for a good friend today, where we shall have much nicer music.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 04:13 AM

I dare anybody to do that in a singaround.

What adverts have made it into the folk scene? I think the Chesdale Cheese ad occasionslly surfaces in New Zealand and "the name that's known is Firestone, when the rubber meets the road" would surely work as a vocal break in an old-time reel set.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 04:17 AM

Frankie Miller’s version of Dougie Maclean’s “Caledonia” did well for both of them, advertising Tennent’s.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 04:41 AM

Showing my age now but Cushie Butterfield was adapted for a Newcastle Brown Ale advert.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 06:32 AM

The problem is, it's just a dreadful song. It's competently performed, but utterly inappropriate to the product being sold.

I don't blame Megson, who presumably were offered a fee most folk singers can only dream of, and who should be credited for managing to get through it without cracking up. The bigger question is what on earth was the ad agency thinking?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GerryM
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 06:48 AM

Jack's question wasn't, what folk music has made it into advertisements; it was, what ads have made it into the folk scene?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: DaveRo
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 07:31 AM

https://www.megsonmusic.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 08:06 AM

This illustrates the dilemma of the professional folk musician/singer, that the need for money means a reluctance to turn down income, semi pro performers can be more choosy.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 07:23 PM

The question is, where do you draw the line?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 07:35 PM

I've just watched them do a Folk(ish) cover of Chris Rea's 'Road to hell', and it was very good. All the more reason not to be making the worst AD ever.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 02:56 AM

And after watching Megson, you still think it's them?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 04:36 AM

Good point. Dave, I have not got a clue. (So no change there then)

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 04:55 AM

Bad taste is subjective. who are we to condemn,finally we do not know wjhether it is AI or genuine performers

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 06:55 AM

I think they are real people, competent singers and players. English, I'd say, from their accents - they don't appear to me to be miming.
Her lip-gloss and earrings may be to appeal to the advert's target demographic!

Or maybe AI videos are better than I think they are.

The lyric "Way to go!" is amusingly double-edged. I doubt it that phrase was written by AI. Somebody in an ad agency perhaps.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 08:11 AM

I hadn't heard much about them beofre.

They seem to do a lot of children's shows too which seems quite a contrast to this latest project.

There is a video of them "Live at Cambridge Folk Festival" but it appears to be in a wood or tree area nearby. I don't know if they were ever official guests or not.

Yes, competent and previously(at least) a quite pleasant and warm sounding duo.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 08:14 AM

"Bad taste is subjective"

This is very true and there are many views about how we should approach and deal with death.
However, because of that, I think that's all the more reason for such organisations etc to try and take a more neutral path.

It's a bit the same for those who are on different journeys relating serious health conditions such as cancer etc. Everybody deals with things in a different way.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Nov 25 - 09:00 PM

No more awful than the "Are You Gay Test" that keeps popping up on Mudcat. (Thank You Miles of Dick in a Soldier)

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

I have elected the cheapest option. Simple shroud, 300 pounds of rock, 3 miles out.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 01:40 AM

I wish them every success, they have clearly practised hard at their music.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 04:26 AM

Isn’t it a bit like Labrador puppies advertising toilet paper? Nobody wants to see someone wiping their bum on TV, and I guess no one wants to see human remains being incinerated either. Even so, it’s a strange thing to sing about, but then so was Tom Lehrer’s ‘We'll All Go Together When We Go’ back in the day. If nothing else, this must spawn some good parodies:

Poor Auntie Flo, she didn’t want to go,
We never knew just when her health might fail;
We thought it best, she always had bad chests,
And Pure Cremations had a cut price sale…..

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Keith Price
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 05:56 AM

I think this is a deliberately naff AD, remember 'Shake and Vac'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q8inM0gKVo

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Jim Yates
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 08:44 AM

A similar ad:

Chambers caskets are so fine,
Made of sandal-wood and pine.
When your loved ones pass away,
Have them pass the Chambers way.
If your loved ones have to go,
Just call COlumbus-6-5-0h.
Chambers customers all sing,
"Death, oh death, where is thy sting?

(To the tune of "Rock of Ages.")

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 09:26 AM

Yes, Dick is correct. There is a lot of ability here.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Johnny J
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 10:48 AM

"There is a lot of ability here. "

Yes, I agree, although in some ways that makes it worse. Part of me enjoyed the vocals, musical backing , and it was a lovely melody too.

However, the lyrics and context was at odds with the above.

Perhaps, the idea behind hiring an obviously talented duo was to try and beguile unsuspecting listeners... Of course, that's what advertising is all about I suppose....

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 12:14 PM

Let’s face it, they’ve got us all talking about it - mission accomplished?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Nick Dow
Date: 25 Nov 25 - 09:59 AM

I think there is some merit it that view however annoying. It is the current brief at the BBC (well it was when I left Broadcasting) that you were required to play jingles however inappropriate every fifteen minutes. When I suggested that a jingle about the Fishing Programme was going to irritate people in the middle of a music show, the answer was 'That's the idea'. Good old Beeb! Long may they disappear.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 25 Nov 25 - 01:21 PM

Would Fox news be better?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 Nov 25 - 03:19 PM

It takes a lot to offend me, and my first reaction to the ad was laughter. Second reaction would be to write a parody, and yes, to sing at sessions, but I see someone has already beaten me to it!

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 25 - 05:04 AM

Why I avoid channels that show commercials like the plague. For all its faults, I much prefer the ad-free BBC, and I stick with Auntie pretty much all the time.

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 27 Nov 25 - 05:21 AM

Err….I think you get just as much commercial time on the Beeb, it’s just that they are forever advertising themselves ad nauseam, eg.
“Well, if you enjoyed that documentary on English folk traditions, don’t forget we have a Boy Band Bonanza concert show on BBC2 three weeks next Tuesday. Meanwhile next up over on BBC1 we have an inane panel show to waste 27 minutes of your life that you’re never going to get back, followed by 3 more minutes of pointless self-advertising”…

Just don’t get me started on credit squeezes and taking over the concluding music of programmes….

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Nov 25 - 05:36 AM

Beat me to it, Jerry! Ad-free BBC? Yer having a laugh?

Subject: RE: Simplicity... but the worst AD ever.
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 04 Dec 25 - 01:42 PM

For comparison,,,
Megson singing
The Road To Hell
https://youtu.be/TLTX-uFEQaI?t=24s