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Why John, Why?

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Author	Topic: Why John, Why?

Lou Goldberg Standard Userer	Maybe it's not his fault, maybe he doesn't even own the rights, but if he does, why oh why did you do it, why do I now have to associate John Barry's lovely theme to BORN FREE with a bunch of fat old Italian mamas dancing it up in the fields over Ragu Spaghetti Sauce. John, you don't need the money that badly I hope.....
posted 10-01-2002 11:25 AM PT (US)

dgoldwas Standard Userer	Lou, Who said that John Barry OWNS the music in the first place? I doubt he had anything to do with the decision to use the music in the commercial. Dan
posted 10-01-2002 11:34 AM PT (US)

jeffy unregistered	I thought it was quite funny. I hadn't heard that song in years!
posted 10-01-2002 12:17 PM PT (US)

Spicy Ramen Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by dgoldwas: Lou, Who said that John Barry OWNS the music in the first place? I doubt he had anything to do with the decision to use the music in the commercial. Dan quote from Lou: quote: Maybe it's not his fault, maybe he doesn't even own the rights Dan, He questioned that already. But as you can see, he is quite saddened over the use.
posted 10-01-2002 12:23 PM PT (US)

rachmaninov Standard Userer	I've never liked how commercialism uses perfect music, beautiful eternal art, for dirty cinematography. A LOT of people (generally people with out any idea of what good music is like) enjoys that though. I haven't seen the commercial you are talking about, so I can't criticize something I haven't seen. I hope not to see such a thing anyways.
posted 10-01-2002 06:46 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	Anywhere I can see the ad? Just curious...
posted 10-01-2002 11:27 PM PT (US)

Richard Standard Userer	Television?
posted 10-02-2002 04:08 AM PT (US)

Lou Goldberg Standard Userer	I don't know if I was saddened. I got the joke but it really wasn't funny. And now instead of lions and Africa I'm gonna think fat Italian women. My guess is MGM owns this not Barry, though he probably picks up some royalties from its use. My 'Why John Why' was just a way of naming the topic, not a slam on the great one himself. A late friend of mine was a staunch Republican and defender of the free market and capitalism. He hated commercials. I've always said that freedom means the freedom to be ugly and yet commercials strain my tolerance to the breaking point. I loved it when Baudrillard called advertising "a dead language." And yet, commercials do involve talent and wit and artistry. As artifacts of our culture they can't be completely dismissed. The film KINGS OF ADS was a compilation of commercial spots directed by major art directors: Lynch, Scorsese, Hugh Hudson, Argento, Polanski, Godard, even Fellini. There were a lot of interesting images and ideas but after 90 minutes I was frustrated. All these interesting bits of cinema starring nothing but cars, perfume bottles, clothing, cigarettes, and passenger trains. What a waste. I mean, if businesses are going to produce these spots to generate desire for their products, they might as well try to be objects d'art as well except that they never really succeed. Some ads can change perceptions and even events (think political ads) but I can't think of any ad that I can point to and say this is a meaningful work of art. As for the use of music in ads, some music in ads is actually pretty good, certainly better than the propaganda it's supporting. And while I'm torn about the distortion, it's interesting to see how pop tunes are adapted to include business names and the like. Born Free is just one of many many 60s tunes that have found their way into spots. In the Ragu commercial, it's sung straight. But when you like a tune that much, to see it cheapened by these associations can be tough to stomach. In these situations I feel like Alex in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE who is conditioned to associate his favorite piece of music, Beethoven's 9th, with anxiety and nausea.
posted 10-03-2002 03:04 AM PT (US)

JJH Standard Userer	I've noticed a lot of Thomas Newman and Danny Elfman-esque commercial scores lately. Carter Burwell wrote some music for New York Life insurance company (I think it was them), and it's pretty good music. even if you're a no-name, you can make some pretty damned good money writing commercial jingles. And some of the tunes even penetrate into the public consciousness, like the old Dr. Pepper or Coca-cola commercials.
posted 10-03-2002 08:24 AM PT (US)

dgoldwas Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by JJH: Carter Burwell wrote some music for New York Life insurance company (I think it was them), and it's pretty good music. Yeah - and I'm pretty sure he did the music in the Spike Jonez IKEA commercial..... Dan
posted 10-03-2002 08:45 AM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Lou, I hear your pain. Sometimes I want to laugh on the surface when this sorta thing arises, and then forget that I'd even seen it. Problem in THIS specific case is the network showed a short version of the commercial... then not more than a commercial and a half later, showed the long version. Pissed me off to no end, because the short version made no sense... most of the 15 second spot featured these fatties in their aprons kicking cans over the cliff to Barry's signature tune. What the hell did it mean? Then the second one came on, and by that point, I had to turn the TV off. Lame. I'm still waiting for some boutique to remaster the original tracks and put the recording on CD. Advertising agencies, phooey. Wool's pulled over their eyes.
posted 10-03-2002 10:39 AM PT (US)

SBD Standard Userer	What about the "Green Acres" theme being used (and mutilated) in that ridiculous Old Navy commercial? I hope that Vic Mizzy is unaware of that they're doing to his work.
posted 10-03-2002 01:27 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	What happened to the good ol'days of original music being composed for commercials? John Barry in particular has done some great music in this area from 'The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair' for Sunsilk shampoo to the fantastic music he composed for Ridley Scott's Kodak commercial.
posted 10-03-2002 04:49 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	The Spike Jonez Ikea commercial, which Burwell wrote music for, and which Dan mentioned above, won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Lions advertising awards. You can check it out (and all the other winners, including some great John Smith ads here. [Message edited by Camillu on 06-23-2003]
posted 06-23-2003 01:08 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	What really pisses me off is when they use sumlime music I mean the great classics to sell crap.One of the worst examples from years ago when they use Richard Strauss- Also Sprake Zarathustra to sell salad dressing!What crass, vulgar, barbarians!!!!!!Hey remember when Mozart was used for years as the theme for Yuban coffee?
posted 06-23-2003 01:48 PM PT (US)

MWRuger Standard Userer	If TV had been around when these classic were composed I would bet that a lot of these composers would have signed up to "sell out".
posted 06-23-2003 05:34 PM PT (US)

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