Music and Advertising Part 2.5

Not sure if this was already mentioned, but I think the award for worst commercial using a tune right now might be the Outback ads that employ Of Montreal's "Wraith Pained to the Mist and Other Games" (which translates into "The Song that Goes 'Let's Pretend We Don't Exist--Let's Pretend We're in Antarctica").

Mostly because I can't picture the band that has set the bar higher and higher in imagination in every aspect of the game, song and album titles included--yes, there were bands that had strange titles for their material before Mars Volta--suddenly submitting to the dollar. Kind of like a "if they're in a commercial, what won't be?" way. I can't picture Outback Steakhouse reps going to an Of Montreal concert and thinking, "hey, that guy who rolled around on the stage in a wedding dress can really do wonders for our new entrees."

Will Of Montreal start playing gigs at Outbacks across the country? It would be a lot better than the service staff dances on the hour.

But moreover, the band changed the lyrics so instead of singing about something no one knows what the hell they're trying to convey, the song is about going out to eat at Outback Steakhouse. It's like the Applebee's commercials that change lyrics from "and she's buying the stairway to heaven" to "and she's buying the shrimp skewers for only $9.99 this week." But there's a shock value to boot.

Maybe this is just the start of an Elephant 6 trend:



Beulah for IHOP:

"all the mothers love you son,
you better stop in for some stuffed french toast tonight."



Olivia Tremor Control for Red Lobster:

"don't hide away, hide away from the all you can eat shrimp feast."



And of course, Neutral Milk Hotel for Taco Bell:

"I love you, chalupa. Chalupa, I love you."