# A song to identify

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-song-to-identify/422914>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 16, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-song-to-identify/422914 "2007-10-16T16:15:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-song-to-identify/422914/1 "2007-10-16T16:15:01Z")

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There is a song played currently on a Visa commercial, which I believe was also used in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.

It’s mostly horns and saxophones, I think.

Anyone know what song I’m talking about? If so, please tell me what song it is and who wrote it.

Thanks!

-Kris

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**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-song-to-identify/422914/2 "2007-10-16T16:44:53Z")

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“Powerhouse” by Raymond Scott? It’s from the commercial where everyone’s in a diner and everything is nice and smooth and choreographed until one guy uses cash instead of his Visa check card.

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**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-song-to-identify/422914/3 "2007-10-16T16:47:40Z")

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It’s a composition entitled _Breakfast Machine_, written by Danny Elfman for the 1985 film _Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure_. (Although _Powerhouse_ is used in a Visa ad, it’s a different one than this one- this one’s set in a toy store.)