Can there be better advertising than a singer or band writing a song with your brand named in it? Imagine the millions saved in marketing when someone else is willing to do it for you? That’s great if the song is positive. If the lyrics are less than complimentary, however, this might be the sort of marketing your brand could well do without! Let’s take a look at some songs that have acted as free marketing for some of the biggest brands out there:
Cadillac Ranch – Bruce Springsteen
This is a playful rock track first released on Springsteen’s 1980 album ‘The River’. It is based on the real life attraction Cadillac Ranch in Texas where a sculpture of ten old cadillacs can be viewed. Whatever your feelings about the tune, you cannot deny that it’s useful advertising for this particular automobile company!
Night Nurse – Gregory Isaacs
This Jamaican reggae artist released this originally in 1982 and it became a huge favourite of the clubbing scene in the UK when it was covered in 1997 by Sly and Robbie featuring Simply Red. Now, anyone suffering with a cold will immediately be drawn to this particular brand of congestion remedy before anything else.
The Last Chance Texaco – Rickie Lee Jones
In 1980, this song was nominated for a Grammy Award for best rock vocal performance, female. She was quite a talent, singing vocals, backing vocals, playing keyboard, guitar and percussion! When you need to fill up, chances are you’ll be looking for that last Texaco before hitting the highway!
Gucci Time – Schoolly D
Released in 1985, this decade was certainly a musical era of dropping those big brand names. It’s no surprise when you consider that the 1980s saw the huge growth of big brands in the fashion industry, from famous Calvin Klein jeans billboards to the rise of leisure wear like Nike and Adidas. When you want to get dressed up, it;s definitely Gucci time!
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Most of us think this is the ultimate song of teenage angst from the grunge era, and it is, but it’s also a serious case of product placement. Did you know that Teen Spirit is a deodorant in the United States? While not all brands can enjoy the dizzying heights of rock recognition, they can consider a Brand Strategy Agency such as https://www.reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/specialist-services/brand-strategy-agency/
Levi Jacket – Carl Perkins
Straight from the rockabilly era, Carl Perkins hit the bright lights of stardom in the mid 1950s. Paul McCartney has even said that if there had been no Carl Perkins, there would have been no Beatles. He was pretty influential then and Levis were no doubt thrilled when he chose to immortalise their jackets in song.
Ford Mustang – Serge Gainsbourg
Released in 1968 by French artist Gainsbourg from his album ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, this is a romantic song about love affairs that take place in a Ford Mustang. Any budding Casanova would have been hankering after one of these cars after hearing this tune!
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