On How Advertising Ruins Music.

It is a fairly two sided concept- advertisers want something that resonates with people, that they recognise and will associate with good memories and good feelings. You hear The Beatles‘ ‘ Come Together’ or the Stones’ ‘You Cant Always Get What You Want’ or even Hot Chocolates ‘You Sexy Thing’ you, through the magic of music, remember the good times, vibes, memories or connotations that song induces. And through to the marriage of image and music you associate those good feelings with the product. It is fairly deceptive, but it works.
Then of course there is the viewers side. The viewer is blinded by the ad for a time, and when they can see again they realise they almost ,universally, despise the song.
The trick for advertisers is to use the chorus or hook of the song, being the most recognised fragment and that which people will most deeply identify with, the trouble is its also the most repetitious element of most songs.
It has caught me in its trap more than once, picture this; you are tapping your toes to a song you love but havent heard (or so you think) in a good while, everythings fine, your feeling good. Then- the chorus, and boom. You remember the million times you’ve heard the overly familiar chorus, and not its overly unfamiliar surrounds, in that ad selling Pepsi-Cola.
Part of the hatred for the song comes from obnoxious repetition and another part from the real value and art of music being pimped out for quick gain.
It shouldn’t be suprising, of course, as music is a money game. The intention is to be in the green, and well in the green, at all times and a song that is 30 years old will mean as much to people as it ever does and so is no longer sacred. Beyond that even, you’ve paid for the single, now someone else is buying the chorus.
Its frustrating, and if I were a richer man id buy out all these ads and force them to write a jingle like the true heroes of the ad-music world. But I am not and I cant, so we will have to watch some of the better songs we all know and loved be harvested for those with more in their pockets, like black market kidneys.
NP.