A couple years ago, I saw this commercial for TD Ameritrade that used “Cats in the Cradle.” The original song is about how a father never had time for his young son, and then how the son never had time for his father once he grew a bit older. The version in the advertisement completely destroyed the original meaning of the song by coming up with new lyrics:
Ugh, that’s what I came in to say.
“Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they’re red, white, and blue.”
And that’s the last you hear of the lyrics. What you DON’T hear is, “It ain’t me”!
There used to be a Seattle-based department store chain called the Bon Marché (acquired some time back by Macy’s). At one time they ran one-day sales*, and some bright consultant came up with the idea to advertise them using the Banana Boat Song:
Day-o!
One day sa-a-a-a-a-lo-o-o!
Saturday only at the Bon Marché!
I trust that the consultant is burning in Hell, or if still alive, has a persistent plague of boils.
* Generally preceded by a “preview day” for reasons that still escape me.
GEICO has been using “Build Me Up Buttercup” for their motorcycle insurance commercials. Are they saying that their customers feel let down?