Music in Ads

Long gone, it seems, are the days when rock 'n' roll purists like Jim Morrison derided bands (including his own) for selling out to advertisers. Now, in this digital age, it's all about getting your music out there — but there's also room for revivals. BSkyB's Supertelly campaign made great use of "Pure Imagination", as sung by Gene Wilder on the soundtrack for "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" — the tune was co-written by Leslie Bricusse (who also wrote the Bond themes "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice"). Pixies' "Isla de Encanta" works a treat in Visa's outstanding World Cup 2010 slot, while "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear has underscored car campaigns in both Europe and the U.S.

Jackie Wilson's soul is sold, and so is Booker T.'s R&B, in Next Steps.

It doesn't really matter which demographic you belong to, or whether the advertising suits are trying to sell us cars, bras or chocolate bars — as long as the tune is fantastic. Our commercially-driven super mix includes Jackie Wilson's euphoric 1967 single "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher", which may or may not persuade you to go out and buy some menswear. "Green Onions" by Booker T. & the MG's might just convince you that a pit-stop for some fast food is exactly what you need, while The Tease's "I'm Not Invisible" could groove your bones all the way to a car showroom. Whether you're buyin' or window shoppin', your soundtrack is sure to be poppin'.

Our wallets are eased open by a touch of gentle '70s folk, in Deep Cuts.

The '70s heyday of TV advertising produced more cheese than a French delicatessen. Back then, the consumer was presented with life as a rose-tinted kaleidoscope of soft-focus housewives, but times have changed and, these days, commercial makers exercise quality control when soundtracking their work — hence the appearance of Nick Drake's gorgeous "Which Will" from 1972's Pink Moon in a BT campaign. Same goes for the '80s which gave us the GRAMMY®-winning Kim Carnes track "Bette Davis Eyes" (used to sell hair product) and Blancmange's bouncy 1983 hit "Living on the Ceiling" (forever linked by advertising to vitamin pills).

Advertising: so much to answer for. Rock 'n' roll careers have begun and ended in commercials, lost reputations have been found, old rockers have lined their pockets with enough extra cash to sustain their lives of bohemian excess, and dead heroes have been introduced to new generations. The connections between superior pop and and clever advertising are too numerous to mention, but it's fair to say that both must hold our attention, immerse us in the moment, and get to the point in the blink of an eye. Everyone's a winner in ad-land, folks, and our incredible mix features some of the greatest tunes in the history of music. Unbeatable value!