I’m not a U2 fan, but I’m a huge fan of The Dandy Warhols, whose music lately is appearing in what seems like almost every commercial break. Doesn’t bother me. It’s cool to see a band you know is great finally get recognized once in a while, especially if they’re usually languishing in obscurity. Even if the recognition is as small as the background music in a commercial.
And it’s a lot better than the alternative. I’d rather listen to “Boys Better” than that cursed “Zoom Zoom” song any day.
I suppose there are levels though. Toby Keith humping Ford trucks in their commercials is a little over the top. He says something like “I know this truck is tough, cuz I own one.” I suppose if he really is a “Ford truck man,” and that’s “all he drieeves” then that’s ok.
You know, it doesn’t really bother me, but i have this nagging suspicion that it should. Maybe it’s because they’re not selling shampoo (as someone said earlier) but are selling the iPod, which is a good product and which is related to music. It’s like thirty years ago the Beatles endorsing a good turntable.
The “selling out” thing is pretty problematic. Their manager, Paul McGuineess, also liscensed some of their songs for use on the CSI soundtrack. Is allowing your song to be used on a TV show soundtrack selling out? (In my opinoin, not if it’s a cool show and you (the artist) like it. But personally, I hate hate hate CSI and wouldn’t allow my song to be used. But if Sealab 2021 were on the line, I’d jump at the chance.
What was that famous response Maynard from Tool had to accusations that his band had sold out? He went on this diatribe, but the jist of it was, “The only reason you’ve ever heard of me is because I’ve sold out. Grow the hell up.”
I think Bono says something similar in Rattle and Hum, when they’re talking about the success of The Joshua Tree.
