Unpopular opinions go here

[Dannyalcatraz]

Can you explain why anyone would use Space Oddity in a car commercial?

Classic song, covered by (semi) trendy artist, with the samples selection featuring the pre-launch & launch lyrics from the beginning of the song. It matches the imagery of the tech-loaded car “launching”.


The classic song appeals to older car buyers who would have the money to buy that vehicle. The use of the cover coupled with the visuals tell younger consumers that Lincoln is forward-thinking- even if they can’t spring for THAT SUV, something else in Lincoln’s production line might still suit them.

 

[Gradine]

Classic song, covered by (semi) trendy artist, with the samples selection featuring the pre-launch & launch lyrics from the beginning of the song. It matches the imagery of the tech-loaded car “launching”.


The classic song appeals to older car buyers who would have the money to buy that vehicle. The use of the cover coupled with the visuals tell younger consumers that Lincoln is forward-thinking- even if they can’t spring for THAT SUV, something else in Lincoln’s proline might still suit them.

Okay, but also... do they know how that "launch" works out in the song?

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Okay, but also... do they know how that "launch" works out in the song?

There was no launch.

Ashes to ashes
Funk to funky
We know Major Tom’s a junkie…

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Okay, but also... do they know how that "launch" works out in the song?

Maybe, maybe not. But they may not care.

Last year, I heard a cover of a song I knew pretty well being used in advertising something like a grocery store or department store. The song in question eventually becomes pretty raunchy. But it was 100% clean in the snippet they covered for the ad- the lyrics used were tame and relatively related to the images on screen.

And that’s all that matters.

Given that, as you might guess, instrumentals or instrumental breaks get used completely out of context. I’ve picked out sections of Brian Eno’s “Fractal Zoom” and “Ali Click” in NFL ads and a cover of Billy Cobham’s “Stratus” in another.

 

[Aldarc]

Okay, but also... do they know how that "launch" works out in the song?

Lyrics are often secondary to a lot of people. There are so many songs regularly played at weddings, for example, that probably wouldn't be if people bothered to pay attention to the lyrics. But also sometimes people know but don't care because what matters is that they like that song or it sounds romantic or happy or whatever other emotion it may evoke in us.

 

[Lanefan]

Lyrics are often secondary to a lot of people. There are so many songs regularly played at weddings, for example, that probably wouldn't be if people bothered to pay attention to the lyrics. But also sometimes people know but don't care because what matters is that they like that song or it sounds romantic or happy or whatever other emotion it may evoke in us.

As someone who writes lyrics, this - though true - makes me sad.

 

[deganawida]

Tal’dorei Revised’s Path of the Juggernaut is the best Barbarian subclass, and makes a character that I’d hate to face in battle. It’s basically He-Man in the second part of MotU Revelations.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As someone who writes lyrics, this - though true - makes me sad.

I say this as a vocalist: blame the singers (and sound engineers & producers). If people can’t decipher/understand the lyrics, they’re not going to care about them.

 

[DrunkonDuty]

Maybe, maybe not. But they may not care.

Last year, I heard a cover of a song I knew pretty well being used in advertising something like a grocery store or department store. The song in question eventually becomes pretty raunchy. But it was 100% clean in the snippet they covered for the ad- the lyrics used were tame and relatively related to the images on screen.

And that’s all that matters.

Given that, as you might guess, instrumentals or instrumental breaks get used completely out of context. I’ve picked out sections of Brian Eno’s “Fractal Zoom” and “Ali Click” in NFL ads and a cover of Billy Cobham’s “Stratus” in another.

Yeah, agreed. Advertising mostly picks a given song because they're taking a punt that a certain song is going to appeal to the demographic they hope to sell to.

For instance, back in about 2008 I worked at a place that did post production for TV ads. We did an ad for a luxury car that used (a slowed down cover of) Melt With You, a song about love in a nuclear apocalypse from 1978. I guess the ad execs thought "it's been 30 years our worried teens are now 40 somethings with disposable income."

edit: Melt With You was 1982.

 

[DrunkonDuty]

Re. poorly understood lyrics.

I've got slightly wonky hearing. My life is one endless series of mondegreens. It's fun in it's own way.