# Worst butchering of a classic song for a TV commercial? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 2, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536 "2021-01-02T19:48:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/1 "2021-01-02T19:48:15Z")
Not bad covers or inappropriate sponsorships (though you can add those too if you want) but I’m talking when a commercial goes out of its way to add new lyrics to a classic song just to sponsor a product. The Kraft [You’re Crumbelievable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjctVBg6K8) commercials for literally just block cheese that’s already been crumbled not only adds a groan worthy pun to EMF’s song, they also literally got the same band to rerecord their own song just for the commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/2 "2021-01-02T19:56:07Z")
I don’t know if _Better Off Alone_ by Alice DJ is considered a classic, but the commercial below made a hash of it: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vVdvTnhkTO8/hqdefault.jpg "Do you really want a Clone?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVdvTnhkTO8) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/3 "2021-01-02T20:45:31Z")
“When you believe in magic, and I hope you do, you’ll always have a friend wearing big red shoes…” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/4 "2021-01-02T21:18:48Z")
There have been several commercials that use “Feelin’ Alright?” as an upbeat little ditty. Tellingly, they never do any other of the other lyrics, including the next line “Not feelin’ too good myself.” The song is about a bad breakup (though the singer manages to move on at the end). ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/5 "2021-01-02T23:25:06Z")
I’ve blocked the lyrics and even the sponsor, but today I saw/heard an ad which used Elton John’s **Rocket Man** to sell a product. There were people dancing. Made me sad. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/6 "2021-01-02T23:25:29Z")
This is the hard rock band **Status Quo** adapting their own song “Down, Down, Deeper and Down” for the Australian supermarket brand Coles. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XB383WkXcqE/hqdefault.jpg "Down Down (Prices Are Down) - Status Quo") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB383WkXcqE) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/7 "2021-01-02T23:29:38Z")
I routinely hit the mute button whenever I hear a rock/pop song during a commercial break. Doesn’t matter if I didn’t like it much in the first place - I refuse to associate it with your crappy product. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/8 "2021-01-02T23:38:18Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > …they also literally got the same band to rerecord their own song just for the commercial. That’s on the band, as well. Shameless. I’m also looking at you, Survivor. First thing you should do when you have a big hit is _invest!!_ Might not have to parody yourself 30 years down the road to pay your child support. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/9 "2021-01-03T00:59:11Z")
It’s been on for just a couple of weeks, but I’m already sick of the stupid Doritos commercial with the parody of “My Favorite Things.” It’s almost put me off corn chips altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/10 "2021-01-03T01:37:05Z")
The Kinks have licensed [more of their music for commercials than you’d ever believe.](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX2Xy2_gXBhme5KV4nZafYmNBEzjx-EjL). Including a couple that dealt with a certain cola drink. https://www.youtube.com/embed/v3dVN1J7Sa4?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLX2Xy2_gXBhme5KV4nZafYmNBEzjx-EjL https://www.youtube.com/embed/WNsy6JweY1I?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLX2Xy2_gXBhme5KV4nZafYmNBEzjx-EjL ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/11 "2021-01-03T02:32:37Z")
What? Do tell. ---
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/12 "2021-01-03T04:37:40Z")
I always thought this was the best example. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhw5s9N\_-g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhw5s9N_-g) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/13 "2021-01-03T04:58:01Z")
Pepsi used _The Ides of March_ by Vehicle. Lyrics-_I’m a friendly stranger in the black Sedan_ _Won’t you hop inside my car?_ _I got pictures, got candy_ _I’m a lovable man_ _And I can take you to the nearest star_ Some blue jeans company edited _“Fortunate Son”_ so that it came out as a flag-waving feel-good tune- which it aint. Same with _Born in the USA._ A Hyundai Commercial used "_Thick as a Brick"._ ---
**Author:** ![journeyman\_southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5e9695/32.png) [@journeyman\_southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/journeyman_southpaw)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/14 "2021-01-03T05:07:02Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xo2wRvJ04ss/hqdefault.jpg "Cadbury - Wouldn't It Be Nice (surfing)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo2wRvJ04ss) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/15 "2021-01-03T05:19:15Z")
I’m torn between “Damn, they sold out” and “Y’know, they just made more from that one commercial than they did from the original single, and the album, and the tour. So, I’m glad the guys are making some money finally.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/16 "2021-01-03T05:43:37Z")
I can never hear “Love Is Strange” without thinking of [those damned giant babies.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVG4wCDuLZA) ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/17 "2021-01-03T22:50:39Z")
I will never forget these two examples of inappropriate use of a well-known song to promote a product, I was so appalled. A number of years ago Kohl’s, a department store chain, used “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (not any of the original versions) to promote a Fall White Sale. Who thought that using an anti-war song with words from the Bible was an appropriate way to sell sheets and pillowcases? Perhaps even worse, there was a brand of cat litter that actually used the old Gospel tune “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” to sell their product. The mind boggles. ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/18 "2021-01-03T23:02:16Z")
“_ **GLENN!** _ Glenn Glenn _ **GLENN** _!” ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/19 "2021-01-03T23:02:57Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > First thing you should do when you have a big hit is _invest!!_ Might not have to parody yourself 30 years down the road to pay your child support. Well, we don’t know just how lucrative those deals are, when a food giant wants to use an iconic song by has-beens. Imagine you were offered a couple Mil for your 40-year-old work, out of the blue. Financially secure or not, it’d be foolish not to bite. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536/20 "2021-01-04T03:10:20Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > What? Do tell. Survivor did a parody of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ where somebody gets promoted to _SUPERVISOR!_ Too stooped, too lazy, too drunk to find a link. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-butchering-of-a-classic-song-for-a-tv-commercial/929536.md?page=2)