folk music being used to advertise consumer goods

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 07:08 AM

my interest in music stems from hearing the 'Hamlet' ad. a lot of years ago and my taste in music went on to encompass heavy rock, blues and folk - I owe a fair bit to musioc in ads. I may still have got there ......but when?
chris

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Rain Dog
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 05:21 AM

GUEST,josepp
22 Oct 11 - 02:18 PM

...However, when I was a teen, a small applicance company here in the Detroit area--Highland--used a bit of a Tom Waits song for a radio commercial and verbally thanked him at the end of the commercial for the use of the song and it's what got me interested in Tom Waits. I thought, "Man, that's good stuff!" Been a fan ever since.......


Have you got any more info on this josepp? How long ago it was and if you can remember the name of the company?

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,josepp
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:18 PM

Writing jingles to make a living is one thing. I'm against selling one of your songs to be used in a commercial. Or selling your image or your voice. It's ok if it's a small, local business but not a big ass corporation--screw them.

I know that Tom Waits, John Fogerty and Neil Young will not allow corporations to use their songs. Waits even sued some company that hired a sound-a-like to imitate him and he won. GM wanted him to appear for like two seconds in a commercial and offered him some big money and he said no but told them to go ask Bruce Springsteen so they did and Springsteen agreed to it. However, when I was a teen, a small applicance company here in the Detroit area--Highland--used a bit of a Tom Waits song for a radio commercial and verbally thanked him at the end of the commercial for the use of the song and it's what got me interested in Tom Waits. I thought, "Man, that's good stuff!" Been a fan ever since. I know when Waits was working with Primus, they offered him money for his help and he wouldn't take it.

I definitely admire that more than someone selling his or her songs for commercials. Some might say it doesn't matter but it does.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:26 PM

I've also just been told by one of our stalwart atheists that Cain's pizza parody of "Imagine" is a political polemic.   Still waiting for him to tell me where the polemic is in Cain's rendition.

As I said, there is definitely evidence for my theory. More all the time.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:21 PM

And here's a hot flash: SEX is being used to sell consumer products, too.

"Oh there's a dirty paper using sex to make a sale
The Supreme Court was so upset, they sent him off to jail;
Maybe we should help the fiend and take away his fine,
But we're busy reading Playboy and the Sunday New York Times--
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends"

Phil Ochs

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:14 PM

no its not, its a stupid generalisation , which you have failed to back up with comprehensive statistics.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:53 PM

1)    Richard telling us that Obama is a religious bigot since he does not endorse homosexual marriage wholeheartedly.

2)   Another poster telling us Cain should not use the music of the "sainted John Lennon" for his parody.    It's "not cool" to do so.


There's more. How much would you like?

On Mudcat, the religious, or at least not stridently atheist, posters seem to exhibit much more tolerance of other views than our illustrious overtly atheist posters. Obviously there are some exceptions.   Amos, atheist I believe, is very reasonable.

It's an intriguing phenomenon.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:21 AM

Produce your evidence then, BigGob.

From the ever-atheist but oh·so·ever·urbane·and·equable·and·stable

☤~Michael~☤

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:05 AM

Nobody said anything about proving existence of deity.   But there is evidence for the theory I put forward a few posts ago.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: theleveller
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:56 AM

Well, Ron, like the concept of a god, it's a beguiling idea. However, like the existence of a deity, you'd have a hard time proving it :)

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:49 AM

Ron , I am not an atheist

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:35 AM

Love the Compare the Meercat song ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnlV3efmP4U

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:33 AM

Indeed, CJB ~ tho one or two of the more recent ones have been quite witty. But FWIW that is George M Cohan, rather than folk music.

~M~

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:23 AM

How about GoCompare.com ? The most irritating ad. ever ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im4uWu85Rac

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 08:39 PM

Fine, Dick.   But if your dial is always set on "outrage" it's not the healthiest attitude.

It's also interesting in passing that those who are constantly looking to be offended--on Mudcat, at least-- tend to be atheists, it seems.    Wonder why that is.

Who knows, maybe non-atheists are more stable.

Agent provocateur, moi?    Perish the thought,

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: tenn_jim
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 09:35 AM

The Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville has long used modified lyrics of folk songs as the basis for their entire advertising program. For example, "How Many Biscuits can you Eat" was transformed to advertise a wheat flour (Martha White).

My question is who get's the royalties?

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 09:33 AM

well we all have different senses of humour, why should i find that which you find funny, amusing.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 08:55 AM

Another humor transplant needed.

if you try to be offended all the time, you're very likely, mirabile dictu, to achieve your goal.

The same holds true if you look for humor all the time.

Which is healthier?


Look, I understand the Largo from the New World symphony was used to sell bread.   I love that whole symphony--among a huge array of other music-- but I find advertising using it is funny, not offensive.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 05:42 AM

Tim, I care, for me certain songs have particular associations, those images can be ruined by said song being used to advertise bubble gum, or some other inappropriate crap

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: RTim
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 07:08 PM

Who cares!!!
Listen to the music and love it.
Don't buy the product if you don't like the product!!

For years I listen to Play Bach by Jacques Loussier, but it didn't make me smoke Cigars!!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 06:31 PM

Lynx are using Different Drum in their current TV campaign. It's often considered an early example of folk-rock. Written by Mike Nesmith (1966) and recorded by the Stone Poneys (1967), it became Linda Ronstadt's first hit.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Oct 11 - 03:13 AM

A few years ago, Toyota offered my son's band $250,000 to use a song in a commercial. They turned down the offer, because they didn't want to be known as "the band in the commercial" and lose their reputation for artistic integrity. It was their song, so it was their right to turn down the offer.

Folk songs are in the public domain, and I think I like it that way. It does seem a shame when folk songs are used in commercials and such, but at least that helps to keep the songs alive.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: johncharles
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 11:40 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjDOjIH-NJw
unfortunately the above shows both the Bodhran and the concertina being played, and no 18 rating.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 10:39 AM

"I wonder w how many people go on to get a lasting interest in folk music through encountering it in advertising jingles"

Probably not many but, bearing in mind that acoustic music of any kind - let alone folk music featuring fiddles, accordions or natural voices - is an entirely unfamiliar sound to a lot of the population, anything that primes them for that kind of sound is going to make them a tiny bit more likely to respond positively if they ever hear actual folk music at some point in the future. I didn't much enjoy the folk music I learned at primary school, but I do think it at least familiarised me with the sound of the stuff.

"Bonny Bunch of Cadbury's Roses"

Good one, Al!

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 10:25 AM

I have noticed more people playing the galway girl since that cider ad.
oh dear, lets hope they dont feature a bodhran in an advert, we had better have lots of penknives at the ready[joke]

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: johncharles
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 09:28 AM

I guess most people watching ads would'nt have a clue about the tune/song in the first place so their only response will be to the music in the ad. I have noticed more people playing the galway girl since that cider ad.
john

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 09:18 AM

I worry more about the one where the concertina gets chopped in half leading to copy-cat crimes.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 09:04 AM

Well I had my doubts about the Bonny Bunch of Cadbury's Roses and Hey Johnny Cope have you tried Walker's Crisps Yet? But overall I thought they were both in good tastet.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: theleveller
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 07:35 AM

I'd probably agree with you, Dick, but I can't actually bring to mind any examples, offhand. Which ones are you thinking about?

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 07:32 AM

I thought I heard the Old Man say,
"Buy some Marmite without delay!"
For them who don't I's just got spite,
Them who buys Vegemite!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 07:27 AM

sorry leveller, I don't entirely agree, I think jingles using folk music are ok, but not if the jingle cheapens or distorts the meaning of the song.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: theleveller
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 07:27 AM

"Probably thread creep but I seem to hear Seth Lakeman stuff a lot on country file"

I was just saying the same thing about Martin Simpson. Strangely, they were playing Duncan and Brady, an American song, last night.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: theleveller
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 06:58 AM

"I wonder w how many people go on to get a lasting interest in folk music through encountering it in advertising jingles"

Very few - but I wonder how many go on to get a lasting interest by hearing it anywhere. It's better than not hearing it at all.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 04:59 PM

well in my opinion its ok, if it is appropriate, eg a group of shanty singers singing for a fishermans friend advert.
I am afraid certain songs have become ruined for me by their association with inappropriate adverts.
It may earn money for contemporary folk song writers, but I wonder w how many people go on to get a lasting interest in folk music through encountering it in advertising jingles

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: selby
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 11:20 AM

Probably thread creep but I seem to hear Seth Lakeman stuff a lot on country file

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Max Johnson
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 11:11 AM

Michael, I referred to the World Cup Nessun Dorma thing only to illustrate the fact that if you keep hitting the Great British Public over the head hard and relentlessly with something Good then there's a reasonable chance that they will eventually notice it, and like it. Advertising would do that. The marketing kidz would no doubt select one of the few folk songs that I, personally, detest, but that's just my luck.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 11:09 AM

The most played musical phrase in the world - ever - from his 'Gran Vals' is by the Spanish composer Tarrega...

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 11:01 AM

Vashti Bunyan's Train song didn't come out half bad doing it's bit for Samsung tellies.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 10:52 AM

A classic of the 1970s was the ad for a choc bar to the tune of Steeleye's version of "Thomas the Rhymer".

I will never forget Barry Dransfield performing this in his best Yorkshire accent - "Naa, naa, na na na na naa, Minty Mint Cracknel!"
Total collapse of audience and artiste.

He actually did go on a bit about Steeleye probably having made loadsamoney out of the rights, but I bet they didn't as the First Law of Folkies does state "Thou shalt not make any serious wonga".

Has anybody mentioned Newcastle Brown Ale (now brewed in Tadcaster or summat) and "Cushy Butterfield"?

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 07:52 AM

"Mo Ghile Mear" (My Gallant Darling) was sung by Una Palliser in the Specsavers TV ad with the sheep and sheep dog. According to Wikipedia, it was written by Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill in the 18th century.

Fisherman's Friends have made a couple of TV ads for Young's frozen food, with adaptations of "What shall we do with the drunken sailor" and "When the boat comes in".

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 06:59 AM

Orange using Vashti Bunyan's Diamond Day not only relaunched her career but revived an entire lost idiom of obscure UK psych-folk for a new generation. What goes around comes around, if only by dint of a more genuine Folk Process than that gibbered over by folk enthusiasts. In other words, it's the same thing, just a different medium, and I know several people who's lives were changed and enriched as a consequence. For example I might mention Charles Webb, who had local girls Camelia turn in a near definitive rendering of Diamond Day at his funeral. Charles being a life-long Folky, I assumed that it had be a cherished favourite since the the dark daze of Witchseason, but he brother told me he'd fallen in love with the song via the Orange add. Does that cheapen it? I think not!

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 06:38 AM

Max has diverted a bit from advertising in his post above, but I take his point. But then where does one draw the line? Pavarotti's Wld Cp Nessun Dorma was probably good for Puccini's image ~ & record sales of his operas. But is Verdi benefited or otherwise by the habit of football crowds, which started I think with Chelsea & Jose Mourinho, of expressing appreciaition of their managers' achievements by serenading him with his name endlessly repeated to tune of La Donn' E Mobile?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Max Johnson
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 05:56 AM

It has to be a good thing. Look what the World Cup Nessun Dorma theme did for opera. And for Pavarotti. So, "crack on", I say.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: michaelr
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 02:27 AM

Hey there, TV advertisers! Folk music for sale! PM me!

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: GUEST,ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 12:38 AM

Oops, sorry about my blank post.

I think one US singer/songwriter was happy that a song she had written was used to advertise a new candy from an established company. I hope she will always believe that she struck a good deal with them. I saw her twice after the company started using her song, and she said it was a good thing, but after about two years they stopped using her song.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 09:45 PM

I can't give the stuff away - I'm glad someone makes money out of it.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 08:32 PM

Dick-

One of the reasons my musical group chose "Roll & Go" for a name is because of product placement. There are so many shanties that mention us!

So far no one has offered to pay us to promote their special stuff.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Helen
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 07:05 PM

I don't know of a lot of folk tunes used in Australian tv ads. I can't think of any at present.

Not folk, but there must be an ad-man (or woman) in Australia who loves Ian Dury's music, because there is currently an ad for Woolworths using "I Want to be Straight" (odd choice) and there is an ad which pops up now and then for a cleaning product, using Billericay Dickie.

That one bothered me for years because I knew the tune and couldn't place it, and couldn't watch it until someone told me that was the tune. I didn't have that album then, so had only heard the album a few times.

[Off topic: a couple of decades ago our local regional tv station had a tune they played at ad breaks in movies. It cracked me up, because it was a fun, jazzy tune, but it was Frank Zappa's "I am the slime from the video, oozing along on your living room floor". How appropriate!

It was abruptly changed, and I expect that someone was severely reprimanded for that.]

Helen

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 04:49 PM

Matt Seattle's "Lindisfarne", played by Kathryn Tickell.

Used to advertise Macdonalds.

Matt needed the money badly at the time.

Subject: RE: folk music being used to advertise consumer goods
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 04:06 PM

Tightwad advertising people. I met a guy who makes his living composing jingles just for advertisers.

I'd say it is a mistaken effort, given that so few people ever hear any folk music except Scarborough Fair, and even that mixed up with Canticle. But every time I hear the music, I remember Hamlet cigars, and I haven't seen the ad. for 40 years.