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Thread started 10/11/09 10:23am

MacDaddy

Prince's music used in commercials

I stumbled across this Volkswagen commercial where basically a valet guy in his boot gets woken up by three Volkswagens. Their headlights flicker, and the cars bump to the beat of Housequake. The guy mimics the words to the song and does quite a funny dance to it. Anyone seen this?

Are there any other commercials you guys know of where P's music is used?
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Reply #1 posted 10/11/09 10:33am

JarviusLovesex
y

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In 2001, Chevrolet put up billboards with a picture of a red 1963 Corvette Sting Ray that said, "They don't write songs about Volvos." In 2003, Chevrolet used this in a commercial that aired for the first time during the Grammys. The ad showed old footage of The Beach Boys performing "My 409" followed by Don McLean singing "American Pie" ("drove my Chevy to the levee"), and then Prince performing this. The camera then goes outside the club to show Chevy's latest model.
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Reply #2 posted 10/11/09 10:37am

zaza

JarviusLovesexy said:

In 2001, Chevrolet put up billboards with a picture of a red 1963 Corvette Sting Ray that said, "They don't write songs about Volvos." In 2003, Chevrolet used this in a commercial that aired for the first time during the Grammys. The ad showed old footage of The Beach Boys performing "My 409" followed by Don McLean singing "American Pie" ("drove my Chevy to the levee"), and then Prince performing this. The camera then goes outside the club to show Chevy's latest model.

Hi, The king 662 lol
[Edited 10/11/09 10:38am]
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Reply #3 posted 10/11/09 10:40am

Patrick1985

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u got the look was used for ugly betty when it premiered here in england
Like a Gb Major with a E in the bass
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Reply #4 posted 10/11/09 10:57am

LeCram

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zaza said:

JarviusLovesexy said:

In 2001, Chevrolet put up billboards with a picture of a red 1963 Corvette Sting Ray that said, "They don't write songs about Volvos." In 2003, Chevrolet used this in a commercial that aired for the first time during the Grammys. The ad showed old footage of The Beach Boys performing "My 409" followed by Don McLean singing "American Pie" ("drove my Chevy to the levee"), and then Prince performing this. The camera then goes outside the club to show Chevy's latest model.

Hi, The king 662 lol
[Edited 10/11/09 10:38am]




burgerking
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Reply #5 posted 10/11/09 11:00am

JarviusLovesex
y

avatar

LeCram said:

zaza said:


Hi, The king 662 lol
[Edited 10/11/09 10:38am]




burgerking


I dont wanna be called king anymore lol yes
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Reply #6 posted 10/11/09 11:03am

zaza

JarviusLovesexy said:

LeCram said:





burgerking


I dont wanna be called king anymore lol yes

TOFKAK - The Orger Formerly Known As King lol
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Reply #7 posted 10/11/09 11:04am

JarviusLovesex
y

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zaza said:

JarviusLovesexy said:



I dont wanna be called king anymore lol yes

TOFKAK - The Orger Formerly Known As King lol


No,The Orger Currently Known As JarviusLovesexy
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Reply #8 posted 10/11/09 11:11am

ernestsewell

JarviusLovesexy said:

I dont wanna be called king anymore lol yes


You never were to begin with.
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Reply #9 posted 10/11/09 11:13am

ernestsewell

MacDaddy said:

I stumbled across this Volkswagen commercial where basically a valet guy in his boot gets woken up by three Volkswagens. Their headlights flicker, and the cars bump to the beat of Housequake. The guy mimics the words to the song and does quite a funny dance to it. Anyone seen this?

Are there any other commercials you guys know of where P's music is used?


I have the video of the Housequake VW commercial. "Little Red Corvette" was used in a collage of songs in another commercial, too. It was a quick clip from the "SOTT" movie.
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Reply #10 posted 10/11/09 11:47am

OnlyNDaUsa

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Tina Turner signing "Baby I'm A Star" for Target.
"Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!"
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Reply #11 posted 10/11/09 11:52am

OnlyNDaUsa

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Found it. eek Wonder how much they paid him?
"Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!"
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Reply #12 posted 10/11/09 12:11pm

ernestsewell

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Found it. eek Wonder how much they paid him?


There are basic fees to cover someone's song. Artist's can't price themselves out of the market in that regard, so it wasn't some exorbitant amount of money.
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Reply #13 posted 10/11/09 12:16pm

MacDaddy

ernestsewell said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Found it. eek Wonder how much they paid him?


There are basic fees to cover someone's song. Artist's can't price themselves out of the market in that regard, so it wasn't some exorbitant amount of money.


Thanks for staying on topic (before this becomes a 'all hail to the new king thread')

I must say I quite like the VW commercial, but does Prince or his camp have any say in what way his music is used in commercials? And are they able to deny a company using such? Or is it just a matter of paying the fee like you said?
[Edited 10/11/09 12:25pm]
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Reply #14 posted 10/11/09 12:27pm

ernestsewell

MacDaddy said:

I must say I quite like the VW commercial, but does Prince or his camp have any say in what way his music is used in commercials? And are they able to deny a company using such? Or is it just a matter of paying the fee? Edit; sorry I guess you answered my question already lol


I think it depends on the publishing agreement. It seems Prince has let his music be covered quite extensively, so I would imagine either the WB has said yes to it all, or Prince himself has.

I remember a story about Janet wanting to use "Satisfaction" from The Rolling Stones in her song "What'll I Do". It was apparently a lot of money, but she got the rights to use it. (I had heard $4000, but I could be wrong on that.) I can't see any artist, not even Prince, charge five or six figures to use a song, cover it, or whatever. However, if it's a one off deal like a 30 clip in a commercial (or even less), it seems like a flat fee (like the Janet thing) would be more in order. The commercial is only going to run for so long anyway, so an artist can't really depend a royalty every time it's played on TV. There was just a cover CD released with SPIN magazine and its tribute to 25 years of Purple Rain, so someone somewhere said yes to all nine of those songs.

Remember also that Prince said no to Weird Al covering "Let's Go Crazy", so he does have some say so in it...at least he did then. I'm super surprised that Apple never used "Purple Rain" in their iMac ads years ago, while using other songs like "White Room", etc. It just seemed like a good match, but it never happened.
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Reply #15 posted 10/11/09 1:18pm

squirrelgrease

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MacDaddy said:

I stumbled across this Volkswagen commercial where basically a valet guy in his boot gets woken up by three Volkswagens. Their headlights flicker, and the cars bump to the beat of Housequake. The guy mimics the words to the song and does quite a funny dance to it. Anyone seen this?

Are there any other commercials you guys know of where P's music is used?


I believe that the VW commercial was a speculative reel by a college student that never actually aired or was even copyright cleared for use. It just appeared on the internet and folks assumed it was legit because it was so well done.
If prince.org were to be made idiot proof, someone would just invent a better idiot.
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Reply #16 posted 10/11/09 1:22pm

MacDaddy

squirrelgrease said:

MacDaddy said:

I stumbled across this Volkswagen commercial where basically a valet guy in his boot gets woken up by three Volkswagens. Their headlights flicker, and the cars bump to the beat of Housequake. The guy mimics the words to the song and does quite a funny dance to it. Anyone seen this?

Are there any other commercials you guys know of where P's music is used?


I believe that the VW commercial was a speculative reel by a college student that never actually aired or was even copyright cleared for use. It just appeared on the internet and folks assumed it was legit because it was so well done.


Ok, thanks and yes I agree, it's very well done.
Maybe Tampax can use 'I love U in me', would love to see someone have a go at that one wink
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Reply #17 posted 10/11/09 2:27pm

OnlyNDaUsa

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ernestsewell said:


There are basic fees to cover someone's song. Artist's can't price themselves out of the market in that regard, so it wasn't some exorbitant amount of money.



Are you saying that someone can use a song or even a cover of a song in a commercial without permission?
"Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!"
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Reply #18 posted 10/11/09 2:35pm

JesusFreak

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Those Volkswagon commercials are great. The Slash one is the best headbang
& John Mayer's wasn't to shabby

But I don't see Prince selling out to one of those. It's a pity though lol, they are quite fun.
However I do see him rocking out to a Maybelline or Loreal skit lol
[Edited 10/11/09 14:36pm]
"Not to sound cosmic, but I've made plans for the next 3,000 years," he says. "Before, it was only three days at a time."
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Reply #19 posted 10/11/09 3:43pm

Tame

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"Uh Huh." the jingle for Pepsi. cool
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight...
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Reply #20 posted 10/11/09 3:58pm

Dayclear

They've got a horrible one when the used car salesman keeps screaming 'Let's go crazy' and the song is playing in the background. I hate that commercial
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Reply #21 posted 10/11/09 6:28pm

PurpleDiamond2
009

JarviusLovesexy said:

zaza said:


TOFKAK - The Orger Formerly Known As King lol


No,The Orger Currently Known As JarviusLovesexy


yay! your back! excited woot!

but as far as this thread goes my answer is lol
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Reply #22 posted 10/11/09 7:15pm

squirrelgrease

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MacDaddy said:

squirrelgrease said:



I believe that the VW commercial was a speculative reel by a college student that never actually aired or was even copyright cleared for use. It just appeared on the internet and folks assumed it was legit because it was so well done.


Ok, thanks and yes I agree, it's very well done.
Maybe Tampax can use 'I love U in me', would love to see someone have a go at that one wink


falloff
If prince.org were to be made idiot proof, someone would just invent a better idiot.
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Reply #23 posted 10/11/09 7:18pm

HonestMan13

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I heard that the Miami Dolphins come out to "Dolphin" from the Gold Experience.
nana
When eye go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all heart up in the house but when eye log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming!
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Reply #24 posted 10/11/09 7:25pm

kewlschool

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Pizza Hut used "Cream" in a commercial. (All vocals were taking out) It was clearly Prince's version. It was in the year DP came out or the year after.
99.9% of everything I say is strictly for my own entertainment
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Reply #25 posted 10/11/09 7:40pm

sms130

JarviusLovesexy said:

In 2001, Chevrolet put up billboards with a picture of a red 1963 Corvette Sting Ray that said, "They don't write songs about Volvos." In 2003, Chevrolet used this in a commercial that aired for the first time during the Grammys. The ad showed old footage of The Beach Boys performing "My 409" followed by Don McLean singing "American Pie" ("drove my Chevy to the levee"), and then Prince performing this. The camera then goes outside the club to show Chevy's latest model.


Yeah, I remember the 2003 commercial. If listen real close, while they show the clip of Prince (from the 1987 'Sign O The Times' movie) performing 'Little Red Corvette', the ahdio is there as well. Then as they are showing the Chevy latest model, u can hear the live version of 'Little Red Corvette' from the 'Prince and The Revolution: LIVE' video from 1985.
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Reply #26 posted 10/12/09 2:09am

ThomasBjj

Dance On was used in a beer commercial here in the U.S. I believe it was within 2-3 years of the Lovesexy album's release if I remember correctly (so around 1990-91). They used the part right after the female voice says "there's a base guitar loose". It was purely instrumental, there are a few times that prince shouts (on the album version) that is missing from the commercial. I cant remember now but I think it was either Coors or Miller Genuine Draft. Definitely saw it on TV, may have heard it on radio.
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Reply #27 posted 10/12/09 10:15am

sgmusic

avatar

ernestsewell said:

MacDaddy said:

I must say I quite like the VW commercial, but does Prince or his camp have any say in what way his music is used in commercials? And are they able to deny a company using such? Or is it just a matter of paying the fee? Edit; sorry I guess you answered my question already lol


I think it depends on the publishing agreement. It seems Prince has let his music be covered quite extensively, so I would imagine either the WB has said yes to it all, or Prince himself has.

I remember a story about Janet wanting to use "Satisfaction" from The Rolling Stones in her song "What'll I Do". It was apparently a lot of money, but she got the rights to use it. (I had heard $4000, but I could be wrong on that.) I can't see any artist, not even Prince, charge five or six figures to use a song, cover it, or whatever. However, if it's a one off deal like a 30 clip in a commercial (or even less), it seems like a flat fee (like the Janet thing) would be more in order. The commercial is only going to run for so long anyway, so an artist can't really depend a royalty every time it's played on TV. There was just a cover CD released with SPIN magazine and its tribute to 25 years of Purple Rain, so someone somewhere said yes to all nine of those songs.

Remember also that Prince said no to Weird Al covering "Let's Go Crazy", so he does have some say so in it...at least he did then. I'm super surprised that Apple never used "Purple Rain" in their iMac ads years ago, while using other songs like "White Room", etc. It just seemed like a good match, but it never happened.


Regarding cover tunes: I have been in the music business for over twenty years and I know that no artist (writer or copyright owner) can refuse the (cover) use of published music for a tribute/compilation CD - commercial, movie or otherwise as long as the fee is paid. You run into legal issues when you try to use or sample the original recording or change the lyrics or the arrangement. That absolutely requires the copyright owner's permission. Hence the Weird Al rejection - but you do not have to obtain permission to cover a published song. You just have to pay the fee.
[Edited 10/12/09 10:15am]
"If you wanted to buy a Sam Cooke album, where would you go?"
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Reply #28 posted 10/12/09 10:17am

sgmusic

avatar

sgmusic said:

ernestsewell said:



I think it depends on the publishing agreement. It seems Prince has let his music be covered quite extensively, so I would imagine either the WB has said yes to it all, or Prince himself has.

I remember a story about Janet wanting to use "Satisfaction" from The Rolling Stones in her song "What'll I Do". It was apparently a lot of money, but she got the rights to use it. (I had heard $4000, but I could be wrong on that.) I can't see any artist, not even Prince, charge five or six figures to use a song, cover it, or whatever. However, if it's a one off deal like a 30 clip in a commercial (or even less), it seems like a flat fee (like the Janet thing) would be more in order. The commercial is only going to run for so long anyway, so an artist can't really depend a royalty every time it's played on TV. There was just a cover CD released with SPIN magazine and its tribute to 25 years of Purple Rain, so someone somewhere said yes to all nine of those songs.

Remember also that Prince said no to Weird Al covering "Let's Go Crazy", so he does have some say so in it...at least he did then. I'm super surprised that Apple never used "Purple Rain" in their iMac ads years ago, while using other songs like "White Room", etc. It just seemed like a good match, but it never happened.


Regarding cover tunes: I have been in the music business for over twenty years and I know that no artist (writer or copyright owner) can refuse the (cover) use of published music for a tribute/compilation CD - commercial, movie or otherwise as long as the fee is paid. You run into legal issues when you try to use or sample the original recording or change the lyrics or the arrangement. That absolutely requires the copyright owner's permission. Hence the Weird Al rejection - but you do not have to obtain permission to cover a published song. You just have to pay the fee. In that case the words "Used By Permission" means the fee was paid.
[Edited 10/12/09 10:15am]
"If you wanted to buy a Sam Cooke album, where would you go?"
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Reply #29 posted 10/12/09 10:24am

MacDaddy

sgmusic said:


Regarding cover tunes: I have been in the music business for over twenty years and I know that no artist (writer or copyright owner) can refuse the (cover) use of published music for a tribute/compilation CD - commercial, movie or otherwise as long as the fee is paid. You run into legal issues when you try to use or sample the original recording or change the lyrics or the arrangement. That absolutely requires the copyright owner's permission. Hence the Weird Al rejection - but you do not have to obtain permission to cover a published song. You just have to pay the fee.


I guess I have always been a bit naive in that respect; thinking that the artist would more or less support the commercial purpose for which their music was used. And would at least have the last say in it. Thanks for clearing that up!
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