The commercial in question is for Native deodorant. You can see it here, and the riff is at the very end (“It’s Native…”) Delete the space between the C and the Q at the end for the link since it won’t let me post it.
I am convinced I’ve heard a song that uses that same three-note progression. I think it might be from Alan Parsons (either the Project or the later solo stuff), and my brain keeps telling me the phrase from that song is something like “in your eyes” or “through your eyes.”) When I try to free-associate, I keep getting Parsons’ “Take the Money and Run,” but that isn’t it.
If it is a Parsons song, I should know it instantly since I’m a huge fan and have listened to all the albums many, many times for decades, but it’s eluding me. Google is no help - it keeps trying to give me Peter Gabriel, but it’s definitely not his song “In Your Eyes.” The melody of the phrase is identical to the one in the commercial. Maybe it’s not Parsons, and that’s what’s throwing me.
Anybody? This has been driving me nuts for a week!
I am lousy at recognizing music. So I defer to any and all later folks who’re good at this.
But to me at least that 3-note bit at the end sounds to me like the first 3 notes of the longer Liberty Mutual Emu commercial wrap up music. Which suggests two things:
That might be what you’re recognizing it from.
It’s probably a very common 3 note progression with a standard name. Suggesting it’s found all over pop music.
It’s definitely not the Liberty Mutual commercial (I mean, maybe it is, but that’s not what I’m thinking of.) I can literally hear the words in my head from the song, and I’m pretty sure I’ve got the lyrics right. It might be “In your mind…” but I think I’m close.
My brain is saying: " I see you [quick guitar riff] in my dreams…" but the 80s were a long time ago so maybe I am making that up. Possibly another verse that says " I remember…"
My SO’s Mazda plays the first two note of “Going Home” from Dvorak’s New World Symphony when it’s put in park. Our GE dishwasher plays the first three notes of “Camelot” when the door is opened. My neighbor’s car alarm plays the opening notes of the Korgis’ “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime.”
I sometimes think I am the only one who notices this but the first few bars of Reminiscing the 70s hit by Little River band is very similar to the I Love Lucy theme (different keys).
