Music and Advertising
A thought-provoking post on Julian Cope's website, by Merrick (many years ago a drummer for Adam and the Ants) about songwriters selling their music for commercials. Can't say I have the same respect for Brian Eno that I did before reading this.
posted by Stuart Shea at 9:44 AM
5 Comments:
While I can basically agree with his overall idea, although not in the least his concept of it being within a country mile of "The Most Evil Concept Ever", I do think he protests WAY too much, and it would help if he had more facts.
For one thing, I'd love to hear Brian Eno's statement or defense for his decision. I'm not going to be swayed to believe someone's done something wrong, on something as gray as this, without hearing that person's reasoning. But this author's POV seems to be that there can be no good enough reason, and I find that ludicrous. Henry Rollins' statement makes a lot of sense to me, a lot more sense than the argument agin' it presented here.
Then there's the whole U2 thing, which ends with a comment that their manager must have gotten them a lot of money for it. Well, the problem with this is that U2 did it for free, and this fact hasn't been exactly hidden. I'm not even a U2 fan, and I knew that. The commercial served both as a promotion for their new album and as a push for a product that they personally liked and believed in.
And the poet working for Burger King? Without the man's reasoning, the argument against this is, again, quite empty. It may go back to the Henry Rollins statement - I'm betting it does. But even if not, what the hell is wrong with doing voiceover work?
I'm somehow reminded of music fans who only like a group until they become popular, then dismiss them as sellouts.
I'd like to agree with this guys thesis - after all, I'm glad that there aren't more Beatles songs in commercials - but his arguments largely sway me in the other direction.
Bob
6:50 AM, November 02, 2005
U2 had a special I-Pod with their signatures painted on it. This I-pod had all of their songs pre-programed on it. So where they selling I-Pods yes, but with their fans in mind. Most fans are between 35-45 years old.
5:36 PM, November 03, 2005
the first commercialization of a pop record that i recall was "come back to jamaica"...the melody was taken from "so this is christmas"...anyone remember this, and was it purchased or just outright stolen from lennon? what happened?
12:07 PM, November 06, 2005
The Jamaica commercial was not a steal, as JL's melody was that of a folksong, one I believe is public domain -"Stewball".
5:14 PM, November 06, 2005
Ultimately, I believe that a song is a song. Until it becomes a commercial. Then, it's a commercial. Breaks my heart, but that's how it feels to me. Paul McCartney's new album? It's an ad for a financial company. U2's "Vertigo"? It's an ad for an iPod. "Rock and Roll"? Zep's loudest and possibly finest moment is now a commercial for a luxury car. Fuck it. It's time to save rock music from the musicians.
2:55 PM, November 14, 2005
Post a Comment
<< Home