Hyundai in Australia recently launched a new commercial that takes place in an alternate dimension, where coin operated look-out binoculars are sentient beings that steal family SUV’s for joy rides around the city while blasting ‘’Holy Diver’’ by Dio.
In case you’re not familiar with the song or singer, Holy Diver is regarded as a quintessential heavy metal anthem containing one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time and Ronnie James Dio himself is revered by many as the greatest heavy metal vocalist that ever walked the Earth. Many of my friends, band mates and social media followers seemed to be pleasantly taken aback by Hyundai’s choice to use this song for their advertisement. Other reactions weren’t as beguiled. Some folk thought this was a sign of metal once and for all truly being dead; With its corpse now only being dug up from the grave to help a huge corporation cater to an older demographic of consumerists (i.e. old school metalheads) so that they might be able to sell a few extra extremely un-metal cars. Many of the pissed off metalheads pondered as to whether Dio would be rolling in his grave if he knew his music was being used for soulless advertisements, but alas this was not the first time his music had been used in advertising. Not by a long shot.
Here’s a picture of an Exodus hot rod as my condolence to all of the pissed off metalheads.
All the way back in 1983 Dio re-recorded his classic song ‘’Rainbow in the Dark’’ for a Budweiser commercial and… it’s actually pretty cool. The iconic Budweiser slogan ‘’This Buds For You’’ sung by one of the greatest heavy metal gods in history is a pretty nice treat, especially for people who are fans of the beer as well. Heavy metal and beer go together like… well, heavy metal and beer. They’re a perfect coupling. I started drinking beer when I was 14 years old and at that time I was a massive fan of everything glam metal. So when my television screen was lit up in 2007 by the Pure Blonde commercial with the Scandinavian, scantily clad virgins and the white trash, truck driver blasting ‘’Cherry Pie’’ by Warrant, I was sold instantly. No seriously, I drank so much of that beer just because of that song, so much so that now I’m repelled and grossed out even by the smell of Pure Blonde. I know it seems silly now but I really loved hair metal back then. Another piece of beer/metal trivia that some of you may not be aware of is that Sebastian Bach sang for Schooner beer commercials in Canada before he became a rockstar with Skid Row. But the original beer rock jingle pioneers that need to be mentioned here are Cream for their their infectious Falstaff tune back in the 60’s.
All the way back in 1983 Dio re-recorded his classic song ‘’Rainbow in the Dark’’ for a Budweiser commercial and… it’s actually pretty cool. The iconic Budweiser slogan ‘’This Buds For You’’ sung by one of the greatest heavy metal gods in history is a pretty nice treat, especially for people who are fans of the beer as well. Heavy metal and beer go together like… well, heavy metal and beer. They’re a perfect coupling. I started drinking beer when I was 14 years old and at that time I was a massive fan of everything glam metal. So when my television screen was lit up in 2007 by the Pure Blonde commercial with the Scandinavian, scantily clad virgins and the white trash, truck driver blasting ‘’Cherry Pie’’ by Warrant, I was sold instantly. No seriously, I drank so much of that beer just because of that song, so much so that now I’m repelled and grossed out even by the smell of Pure Blonde. I know it seems silly now but I really loved hair metal back then. Another piece of beer/metal trivia that some of you may not be aware of is that Sebastian Bach sang for Schooner beer commercials in Canada before he became a rockstar with Skid Row. But the original beer rock jingle pioneers that need to be mentioned here are Cream for their their infectious Falstaff tune back in the 60’s.
A match made in marketing heaven.
Another groovy thing that happened in the 60’s, exactly 19 years before Dio’s Budweiser jingle and 35 years before the Hyundai Diver/Grand Theft Auto: Binocular City commercial was The Rolling Stones jingle for Kellog’s Rice Crispies. The 30 second jingle was composed by Brian Jones, sung by Mick Jagger and contains the amazing lyric ‘’Wake up in the morning, there’s a crackle in your face’’. The band performed anonymously and were paid 400 pounds for their services. If you’re familiar with the show ‘’Mad Men’’ you may recall an episode in 2012 where Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm) pursues The Stones so he can get them to re-record their song ‘’Time Is On My Side’’ and change it to ‘’Heinz Is On My Side’’ for a baked beans commercial. Not sure if the writers knew it or not but The Who already recorded a Heinz Baked Beans jingle for their 1967 pop art album ‘’The Who Sells out’’.
These guys were taking the piss out of the magazine and radio ads of the time.
Cinderella were so desperate to get on MTV early in their career that they starred in a commercial for a local Philadelphia hot dog chain called Pats Chilli Dogs. The owner approached the band after he saw them play in a club. He said he wanted to market his wieners (hehe) to a young rock audience, so that they would come back to his restaurants after concerts. That night he asked the future night song balladeers to write a rock jingle for his next TV spot and promised local ad time on MTV. That’s all the band needed to hear after having their videos rejected by MTV and other music video platforms various times before. Tom Keifer has said that he cringes at it now because his vocals are out of key but I think it has a cheesy endearing charm and is a great early snap shot of budding rock n roll mega-talent at a young and naïve time in their career.
Of course KISS has to be mentioned here. KISS (Knights In Sales Service) have been in a lot of commercials for their own products and have also leant their image, participated in and starred in as many as 2500 merchandising licenses, cross promotions and advertisements. But did you know back in 2000 Paul Stanley starred in a commercial for Folgers coffee that was canned before it could even air on television. You have to check this out, it’s like a caffeinated, watered down, jingle version of ‘’Live To Win’. An anthemic, coffee mug ditty our beloved Star Child sings while prancing and strutting around the inside of a circus tent. The video ends with a shot of Stanley doing his trademark jazz hands. I read somewhere it was shelved because focus groups reacted to it with ‘’Who is the creepy old guy?’’ (Thankfully it was later leaked online for us all to enjoy anyway).
Cinderella were so desperate to get on MTV early in their career that they starred in a commercial for a local Philadelphia hot dog chain called Pats Chilli Dogs. The owner approached the band after he saw them play in a club. He said he wanted to market his wieners (hehe) to a young rock audience, so that they would come back to his restaurants after concerts. That night he asked the future night song balladeers to write a rock jingle for his next TV spot and promised local ad time on MTV. That’s all the band needed to hear after having their videos rejected by MTV and other music video platforms various times before. Tom Keifer has said that he cringes at it now because his vocals are out of key but I think it has a cheesy endearing charm and is a great early snap shot of budding rock n roll mega-talent at a young and naïve time in their career.
Of course KISS has to be mentioned here. KISS (Knights In Sales Service) have been in a lot of commercials for their own products and have also leant their image, participated in and starred in as many as 2500 merchandising licenses, cross promotions and advertisements. But did you know back in 2000 Paul Stanley starred in a commercial for Folgers coffee that was canned before it could even air on television. You have to check this out, it’s like a caffeinated, watered down, jingle version of ‘’Live To Win’. An anthemic, coffee mug ditty our beloved Star Child sings while prancing and strutting around the inside of a circus tent. The video ends with a shot of Stanley doing his trademark jazz hands. I read somewhere it was shelved because focus groups reacted to it with ‘’Who is the creepy old guy?’’ (Thankfully it was later leaked online for us all to enjoy anyway).
Other KISS products include: coffins, urns and air guitar strings.
Many iconic rock songs have been used for the purpose of consumerism. Some honourable mentions include Twisted Sister’s ‘’We’re Not Going To Take It’’ in an Extended Stay America ad, ’’Blitzkrieg Bop’’ playing in the background of Pepsi (David Bowie also starred in a commercial for Pepsi alongside Tina Turner) as well as Super bowl and GoPro commercials, Iggy Pop’s ‘’Lust For Life’’ in a Carribean cruise ad. Led Zeppelin’s classic ass kicking song ‘’Rock N Roll’’ is in here too. For it’s use in a 2010 Cadillac commercial. The ad was originally offered to the remaining members of The Doors for use of ‘’Break On Through’’ at the whopping financial remittance of $15 million. Drummer John Densmore put an end to the deal because he believed it corrupted the bands integrity. I think Jim Morrison would have agreed considering at a recording session in 1968, he told the band he couldn’t trust them anymore after finding out they were considering doing a Buick car commercial for the sum of $75,000. He also warned the band that he would smash a Buick onstage if they’d let him.
Henry Rollins modeling for Calvin Klein.
Even ‘’Welcome To The Jungle’’ was in a Taco Bell commercial not that long ago. Rock songs in advertisements is nothing new and rockstars (And sometimes their estates, if they’re no longer with us and have families that need providing for) need to make a living and pay their bills. With how the record industry is at this present time and illegal downloading, it’s a lot harder for the bands to generate their income consistently without licensing deals. It’s not selling out, it’s cashing in and they have right to do it if they so please. They’ve built the career and had the success, don’t knock them for reaping the benefits and enjoying the fruits of their labour.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I got a little excited when I saw the trailer for Bee Movie and heard ‘’We’re Not Gonna Take it’’. I didn’t go see the movie (I’ve watched the fan edits on You Tube where all of the bees are removed and the one where it speeds up every time the word bee is said though) but I appreciated hearing Twisted Sister on my television. I laughed my ass off when I saw Dokken in that Norton internet security ad. I relished the nostalgic excitement I got when I heard The Who, The Moody Blues and Golden Earing sing about Coca-Cola (Oddly enough The Kinks had to change the lyric in ‘’Lola’’ from ‘’Coca-Cola’’ to ‘’Cherry Cola’’ though). I’m happy when I hear Hyundai are helping Wendy Dio still have a sustainable income now that she’s a widow (However, I’m conflicted about her wanting to take her late husband’s hologram on tour with his original band) and I feel a rush of endorphins when I hear a big fat iconic guitar riff. Even if it’s in a commercial for toilet paper or something mundane like that (Not that they really need to advertise toilet paper, if you’re not buying it already, I’m worried about you). I enjoy it because it’s proof off the songs staying power in popular culture and rocks outrunning presence in mankind’s musical subconscious. If you’re a rock fan or a rock musician, be happy and savour those few seconds of the glory that is Holy Diver. Rock is far beyond its commercial peak now. Unfortunately the heyday of the 80’s has been over for 30 years and even though some of these artists have made enough money to become millionaires a few times over. It’s still cool to hear these songs and see these artists in any capacity. It also instills optimism and hope in a young musician like me when I see my heroes are still celebrated and can still make have a steady income from their craft and celebrity all these years later.
Even ‘’Welcome To The Jungle’’ was in a Taco Bell commercial not that long ago. Rock songs in advertisements is nothing new and rockstars (And sometimes their estates, if they’re no longer with us and have families that need providing for) need to make a living and pay their bills. With how the record industry is at this present time and illegal downloading, it’s a lot harder for the bands to generate their income consistently without licensing deals. It’s not selling out, it’s cashing in and they have right to do it if they so please. They’ve built the career and had the success, don’t knock them for reaping the benefits and enjoying the fruits of their labour.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I got a little excited when I saw the trailer for Bee Movie and heard ‘’We’re Not Gonna Take it’’. I didn’t go see the movie (I’ve watched the fan edits on You Tube where all of the bees are removed and the one where it speeds up every time the word bee is said though) but I appreciated hearing Twisted Sister on my television. I laughed my ass off when I saw Dokken in that Norton internet security ad. I relished the nostalgic excitement I got when I heard The Who, The Moody Blues and Golden Earing sing about Coca-Cola (Oddly enough The Kinks had to change the lyric in ‘’Lola’’ from ‘’Coca-Cola’’ to ‘’Cherry Cola’’ though). I’m happy when I hear Hyundai are helping Wendy Dio still have a sustainable income now that she’s a widow (However, I’m conflicted about her wanting to take her late husband’s hologram on tour with his original band) and I feel a rush of endorphins when I hear a big fat iconic guitar riff. Even if it’s in a commercial for toilet paper or something mundane like that (Not that they really need to advertise toilet paper, if you’re not buying it already, I’m worried about you). I enjoy it because it’s proof off the songs staying power in popular culture and rocks outrunning presence in mankind’s musical subconscious. If you’re a rock fan or a rock musician, be happy and savour those few seconds of the glory that is Holy Diver. Rock is far beyond its commercial peak now. Unfortunately the heyday of the 80’s has been over for 30 years and even though some of these artists have made enough money to become millionaires a few times over. It’s still cool to hear these songs and see these artists in any capacity. It also instills optimism and hope in a young musician like me when I see my heroes are still celebrated and can still make have a steady income from their craft and celebrity all these years later.
Punk icon Johnny Rotten in a Country Life Butter commercial.
Great and that i have a keen present: House Renovation Designer Near Me gutting a house
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