Showroom Dummies.

I hate to admit that I'm part of that stupid consumer demographic which is easily persuaded, fully manipulated and completely influenced by music played in television commercials.

Good music in my subjective opinion, at least.

I think in the same way that music always sounds better when played in a record store, a product just seems cooler if accompanied by an interesting song.

Take for instance, one of the latest Mercedes commercials featuring the string styling of the Balanescu Quartet. The ad works so well with the music, that, every time I hear those first notes, I drop what I'm doing and run to watch the commercial.

It is sad.

I almost went crazy trying to figure out why I was so drawn to the song. I knew I had heard it before but couldn't imagine where. It turns out that it's a cover of Kraftwerk's Robots.

The Balanescu Quartet actually did an entire album of Kraftwerk songs!

Before you make the obligatory Kraftwerk/Simpsons joke, consider that in the late 1970s Kraftwerk were way before their time.

Conversely, there is that other Mercedes commercial which features the Geggy Tah song, Whoever You Are. I've hated that song since I first heard it coming from every room of my college dorm. My hate for that song is so intense that Ben almost has to restrain me from throwing the remote at the television.

So what does this all mean?

Well, the next time I'm at a Mercedes showroom, I'll certainly purchase the M-Class all because of the merits of that one song.

What commercials do you like?
(I promise not to judge)

Comments

[Nick]

I love the music in the Volvo S70 commercial almost as much as this, which is a problem. Before I knew the artist and title of the piece in the M class ad, I was going crazy, changing channels all over the place just to watch it over and over again. Thank you ever so much for posting this.

[zach]

Hey do you know the name of the new Target's announcement song??
the one in which there is a guy and a lot of red "shadows"
doing the same he is doing??

[Nea]

does anybody know the name of the song playing n the background of what I think might be the new vw commercial? It may not be that particular car, but it is a car commercial. A woman gets in the car and begins dancing (kind of breaker, pop, dancing) and I want to know the name of the song playing in the back...does anyone know?

[brad]

this commercial hasn't been on in a while, but Mercedes-Benz great "Modern Ark" commercial has some of the best instrumental music I have heard in a commercial. It's the one where they are loading up an ark with two of everything and two Benz E-Classes get loaded on at the end... Apparently the music was composed for the commercial, but does anyone know if it can be downloaded from somewhere?

[Meg]

Does anybody know the techno, pop, dance song played in the new Mitsubishi car commericial. It's the one with the brunette in the passenger seat dancing, the only words I remember hearing are "without you" but I really like that song! Thanks!

[jsp]

dunno if this is still active, but the song Meg is looking for is “Days Go By” by Dirty Vegas.

[Darrell]

Hello, does anyone happen to know the name of the song played in the Acura commercial, where the guys racing up the coast. It's a Jazz song with a wicked piano piece.

[Trevor]

Wow, and I thought I was the only one to get
hooked more by the song than the product! Anyone
know the name of the song run in an ad for the
GMC Yukon in the Spring of 2001 where the SUV is
driving in shallow water and throwing up sheets
of spray? (I can't make out the words but it
sounds like "I take my layer gear" (?))

[gg]

dirty vegas cd will be released 6/4/02. there are two versions of the mitsubishi song on the cd. :)
hope that helps Meg.

[Gwil]

I like the new coke advert not because the football play has 3 legs, but because of th emusic playing. I think its a great tune but i cant find the title anywhere. Please let me know if u know it. Cheers , Gwil

[Sarah]

who knows what the song is for the new vw beetle advert. i would love to know....

[Mel]

the music from the VW beetle ad is by Matthew Hales, the lead singer of the '45s'.

He is going by the name of Aqualung, and the song is called, "strange and beautiful (i put a spell on you)"

to find out more, or download the song, visit

http://www.ispythe45s.btinternet.co.uk

or join the aqualung mailing list by sending a mail to ispythe45s@btinternet.com

[Andy Hodges]

Does anybody know the name of the track from the latest Lexus ad, where the guy drives into an empty cobbled market square (looks like Italy) and when he gets out of the car hundreds of people appear in the market square and around his car until he gets back into the car then the track continues again. Does anyone know what that track is, (it sounds classical)?

[Tamika]

I wanted to know the name of the same song as elizabennett where a woman is spying on her neighbor. She criticizes him throughout, and he's in the shower singing. But then she says something to the effect of, "but how can you count out a man who knows every word to the greatest song ever written.." the lyrics are "I want you to want me, I need you to need me, I love you to love me" Thanks

[emilio]

the song on VW beetle advert with the reflection of the yellow beetle? please it is really pissing me off

[Dan]

I need to know the name of the song in this one car commercial, there are two girls in the desert passing a bus and the song goes something like "watch me now as I'm leaving you behind me" or somthing like that and was wondering if anyone knew the title of the song?

[Nic.]

The song from the VW Beetle ad is called 'Strange & Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you)' and is by Aqualung. Aqualung are currently unsigned, so as such there are currently no plans to release the track. However, with all the interest that there is in the song at the moment, I would've thought that this situation will change pretty soon. Aqualung features/is Matt Hales who is lead vocalist of The 45s. More information about the 45s can be found on either their official site at www.the45s.co.uk or an unofficial fan site at www.ispythe45s.btinternet.co.uk
On the latter of these two sites, there is more information about Aqualung and the song, as well as an mp3 of the song to download, and information on how to join an Aqualung news mailing list in order to be kept up to date with all the news as it's announced.

[speck]

I am also looking for the Acura commercial with that awesome jazz piano piece. I'm under the impression it's a commercial with a blur of scenery in the background as the car drives, and then the viewer is informed that "that was Aspen." Been looking for ages, any info appreciated. Also, this is a cool site.

[Denise]

Hey does anybody know what song is played in the preowned Acura commercial. It's a jazzy/bossa nova commercial and there's a light blue sky in the background.

[Ben]

THANK YOU SO MUCH JSP!!! I had to do a search on the internet to find out who sung that song and what its called... the one with the words "without you" and this page came up and i found your answer. Thanks!

[jemquinn]

Does anybody know what the song is in the new VW Passat (I think) commercial. It's the one where the guy is racing to stop the wedding. Those bells are so haunting when paired with the vocals. Thanks in advance!

[Rachel]

"Watch me now, as I'm leaving you behind me.....which way the wind blows, I know when it's time to go." This beautiful song is in a car commercial. Two women in the advertised car pass a bus in the desert while the song is playing.If anyone knows who did the song, or more lyrics I can search by....?

[Russell]

MEL: song ure lookin for is 'Open Hearted Zoo' by Martin Grech. I love that song too!!
Does anyone know the name of the music to the new VOlvo advert with the car dodging crabs on the road?

[Russell]

sorry, i meant Andy Hodges

[natalie]

Does anyone know another site where you can download the aqualung- strange and beautiful song because it's not on the ispythe45s website anymore??