There comes a moment in every generation when beloved songs are co-opted for commercials, often leaving fans feeling betrayed. Baby Boomers probably cringed when Nike decided to feature The Beatles’ “Revolution” in an ad during the 1980s. Rumor has it that in the 1960s, Buick even considered using The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” though it never aired. Here’s a look at twelve of the most egregious examples of classic tracks being tarnished. Did I miss any?
- “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for Fiber One
This commercial is what sparked this entire list. Bonnie Tyler’s remarkable 1983 hit was transformed into a jingle for a cereal that promotes digestive health. I can only imagine what it felt like for artists to sing lyrics like, “I finally found the right snack!” - “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” for Subaru
Shane MacGowan of The Pogues might have some hefty dental bills, but luckily, they left the integrity of the song intact. - “Lust for Life” for Royal Caribbean
Who thought it was a good idea to promote cruises using a song that revolves around heroin addiction? - “Bittersweet Symphony” for Nike
The Verve’s 1997 anthem famously sampled a Rolling Stones track, leading to a legal battle that ended with the Stones pocketing all the royalties. Ironically, they then licensed it for commercials like this Nike ad. It’s still a fantastic song, though. - “Think” for Big Lots
Originally about freedom, the lyrics were altered to focus on “value.” This change is disheartening on multiple levels. - “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for Alamo
In 1998, Alamo Car Rental reworked Bobby McFerrin’s cheerful tune from a decade earlier. While I find this less offensive, it’s still a reminder of the film Cocktail, which should really remain buried. - “99 Red Balloons” for Coca-Cola
What was once a poignant commentary on nuclear war now promotes sugary drinks. - “Push It” for Geico
At least Salt-N-Pepa were in on the joke with this one. - “Mony Mony” for Nissan
This song may not be a classic, but associating keg parties and poor decisions with driving is just irresponsible. - “Blue Monday” for Sunkist
This one ranks lower because I’m unsure if it aired in the U.S., but still, New Order for a soda brand? - “Unbelievable” for Kraft
EMF likely received a nice payoff for allowing their song to be altered to “Crumbelievable” in this cheesy ad. - “Whip It” for Swiffer
Devo allowed their iconic track to be used for a cleaning product, finding the concept too absurd to resist. I couldn’t find an embeddable link for this commercial, but you can check it out “archived for educational use” here.
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In summary, it’s clear that pairing classic songs with commercials can sometimes leave fans feeling conflicted. While some ads may introduce these tracks to new generations, others can irreparably alter their meaning.