Assuming the latter refers to Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March #1 (he wrote five other good but not anywhere near as well known marches under that heading), it and Rossini’s William Tell Overture should be poisoned for me, but aren’t because they’re just too good to be tainted by trite associations (most Americans probably have forgotten about or never knew that the ‘Lone Ranger’ theme was taken from the Tell overture).
I don’t have a problem anymore with popular songs being ruined by associations with commercials or promos. I just hit the mute button the instant these things come on the air. You want to sell me something, write your own background music.
The premium TV network Starz had a commercial years ago in which a choir sang ‘Movies movies movies movies movies movies movies’ to Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy.’ It’s never been the same for me since.
It’s also been used in commercials for Wrangler jeans.
If it’s any consolation, John Fogerty is just as pissed off as you are about it. Unfortunately, Fogerty doesn’t own the rights to most of the songs he wrote during his CCR days, and has no control over where they appear.
“Only Time” by Enya is a song I can’t listen to anymore (and it was her only song I liked!) because there were so many tributes for 9/11 that used it. Now when I hear it, I just feel profoundly sad.
I never really liked “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” after the heavy-handed way it was used in The Execution of Private Slovik. They played the Judy Garland version as Slovik (Martin Sheen) was being executed by a firing squad.
For me, it was “American Woman” by the Guess Who, after it was used in the Republican convention to introduce Laura Bush.
The worst part is, none of the fuckers who came up with the idea ever bothered to listen to the lyrics, which are harshly critical of the U.S. and it’s “military-industrial complex” (which Laura’s husband certainly is a part of.) Duh!!
You could be right anyway – just because I can’t find reference to it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I’d like to know for sure myself just for trivia purposes, but it may just have to be one of those extremely minor mysteries of life.
Sorry the song was spoiled for you either way, I’ve always liked it.
Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” will always be the opening theme for House for me, complete with the stupidly comical bobbing-head dance that my roommate used to do repeatedly when we watched marathons of the show.
Ever since “Carol of the Bells” was parodied on Family Guy, we can’t listen to it without one of the kids piping up, “Ding! Fries are done!” And that was one of the good Christmas carols too.
(Brief Hijack) My kids and I were watching the bonus cartoon Jak-Jak Attack on The Incredibles DVD. And when Jak-Jak was about to manifest his powers for the first time, I knew, KNEW in my heart of hearts, that I was about to hear O Fortuna.
I literally fell out of my chair laughing when the Dies Irae from Mozart’s Requiem was used instead.
