Okay, It's an old debate. Is licensing your song for commercial purposes selling out, blah, blah, blah.
I'm all for a band, especially small budget bands, getting paid and getting heard. But this morning I heard this go to a new, sad level.
I don't know which song it is, I haven't had a chance to check... but I believe it's Of Montreal. The original lyrics are "Let's pretend we don't exist. Let's pretend we're in antarctica."
BUT...
I heard the song start during an Outback Steakhouse commercial on the radio. I was thinking "Ah! Cool! Someone's getting paid!" and then the lyric change came in. "Let's go to the Outback and forget about tomorrow."
It was a WTF moment.
Let's pretend we don't exist
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mr_j
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nah, i don't think of that as selling out. i mean, the song wasn't made with being in a commercial in mind.
however, i think being a rather unknown band and putting yourself on a prepaid credit card that is aimed at the high school market is *utterly* questionable. selling out? it soured my opinion of the band entirely, because it's the difference between 'artist' and 'careerist.'
but what i think they've done that's really *selling out* is the way they've treated their career. they used the Contemporary Christian market to the hilt for their pre-WB days. and now they've totally turned their backs on 'em, saying that they're not associated and want no affiliation with the people who brought them up in the world. I mean, i know many of you aren't religious, but still, that's rather whorelike, dontcha think?
OMK! THE EiSlEy CrEdIt CArD LOLERZ
but then again, does any of this really surprise you?
however, i think being a rather unknown band and putting yourself on a prepaid credit card that is aimed at the high school market is *utterly* questionable. selling out? it soured my opinion of the band entirely, because it's the difference between 'artist' and 'careerist.'
but what i think they've done that's really *selling out* is the way they've treated their career. they used the Contemporary Christian market to the hilt for their pre-WB days. and now they've totally turned their backs on 'em, saying that they're not associated and want no affiliation with the people who brought them up in the world. I mean, i know many of you aren't religious, but still, that's rather whorelike, dontcha think?
OMK! THE EiSlEy CrEdIt CArD LOLERZ
but then again, does any of this really surprise you?
Last edited by mr_j on Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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ifihadahifi
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aquaphase
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Isn't that punishment enough?don't feel too sorry for 'em. one of 'em's marrying the lead musician for New Found Glory...
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Phyllis
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i'm not going to dislike a band for selling their song to a commercial. but it still annoys me when i see a song from a band i like on a commercial. product placement, in general, bugs me.
but the one that really gets me is that commercial for (i guess some kind of radio or something?) where this guy is sitting in some coffee shop, being super hip with his mp3 player and a spoon song comes on and then they CLOSE UP on the mp3 player with the name of the band and song for about 3 seconds. and then they flash spoon's name on the screen again. it felt like they were advertising spoon more than the product they were trying to sell. THAT kind of stuff is annoying. and changing your lyrics to fit in a commercial ad is lame, too.
it isn't going to make me stop listening to a band, or be like "ew they're dumb because they're SELL OUTS" because that is what every band is trying to do. they're trying to be famous and make lots of money, so you can't fault a band for succeeding.
but the one that really gets me is that commercial for (i guess some kind of radio or something?) where this guy is sitting in some coffee shop, being super hip with his mp3 player and a spoon song comes on and then they CLOSE UP on the mp3 player with the name of the band and song for about 3 seconds. and then they flash spoon's name on the screen again. it felt like they were advertising spoon more than the product they were trying to sell. THAT kind of stuff is annoying. and changing your lyrics to fit in a commercial ad is lame, too.
it isn't going to make me stop listening to a band, or be like "ew they're dumb because they're SELL OUTS" because that is what every band is trying to do. they're trying to be famous and make lots of money, so you can't fault a band for succeeding.
n_n
I don't like it when ads change lyrics. Using original music in an original way is OK. But don't change the whole meaning of the music by changing the lyrics!This one does bother me. Using a song in an ad to reinforce the feel of it or whatever is fine. Ads can even be well made and worth something on their own, sometimes. Changing your lyrics is selling out, if only a little....and changing your lyrics to fit in a commercial ad is lame, too...
PS I thought of L7 when I read the thread title: "When We Pretend That We're Dead." Best female band ever btw.
I think changing the lyrics to sell the product is the very definition of "selling out". I don't blame artists for selling their songs to movies, TV shows and commercials nowadays - it's taken the place of radio play and can really help break an artist, or at least get them some cash. But, if you change the song to fit the product, well, now you're just a jingle writer.This one does bother me. Using a song in an ad to reinforce the feel of it or whatever is fine. Ads can even be well made and worth something on their own, sometimes. Changing your lyrics is selling out, if only a little....and changing your lyrics to fit in a commercial ad is lame, too...
Sybil
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froggorino
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yep -- which isn't in itself bad. but call a spade a spade.I think changing the lyrics to sell the product is the very definition of "selling out". I don't blame artists for selling their songs to movies, TV shows and commercials nowadays - it's taken the place of radio play and can really help break an artist, or at least get them some cash. But, if you change the song to fit the product, well, now you're just a jingle writer.This one does bother me. Using a song in an ad to reinforce the feel of it or whatever is fine. Ads can even be well made and worth something on their own, sometimes. Changing your lyrics is selling out, if only a little....and changing your lyrics to fit in a commercial ad is lame, too...
Sybil
frog"word, sybil"gy
they're crumbelievable.I think changing the lyrics to sell the product is the very definition of "selling out". I don't blame artists for selling their songs to movies, TV shows and commercials nowadays - it's taken the place of radio play and can really help break an artist, or at least get them some cash. But, if you change the song to fit the product, well, now you're just a jingle writer.
Sybil
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