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?

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.

JarviusLovesexy said:

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

u got the look was used for ugly betty when it premiered here in england

zaza said:

LeCram said:

I dont wanna be called king anymore lol

JarviusLovesexy said:

TOFKAK - The Orger Formerly Known As King

zaza said:

No,The Orger Currently Known As JarviusLovesexy

JarviusLovesexy said:

You never were to begin with.

MacDaddy said:

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.

Tina Turner signing "Baby I'm A Star" for Target.

Found it. Wonder how much they paid him?

OnlyNDaUsa 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.

ernestsewell said:

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]

MacDaddy 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.

MacDaddy 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.

squirrelgrease said:

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

ernestsewell said:

Are you saying that someone can use a song or even a cover of a song in a commercial without permission?

Those Volkswagon commercials are great. The Slash one is the best
& 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
[Edited 10/11/09 14:36pm]

"Uh Huh." the jingle for Pepsi.

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

JarviusLovesexy said:

yay! your back!

but as far as this thread goes my answer is

MacDaddy said:

I heard that the Miami Dolphins come out to "Dolphin" from the Gold Experience.

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.

JarviusLovesexy said:

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.

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.

ernestsewell 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.
[Edited 10/12/09 10:15am]

sgmusic said:

sgmusic said:

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!