You know you’ve hit a low point when you realize a beloved song is now promoting a cereal that supposedly alleviates constipation. It seems like every generation has to face this cringe-worthy reality. Just think about it: Baby Boomers were likely less than thrilled when Nike decided to feature The Beatles’ “Revolution” in an ad back in the ’80s. And while it may not have aired, there were whispers of a 1960s Buick ad that used The Doors’ “Light My Fire.” But enough about the past; let’s dive into a dozen of the most infamous offenders. Did I miss any?
- “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for Fiber One
This is the song that inspired this list. Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 classic gets a makeover with lyrics twisted to promote snacks that, well, help with bathroom visits. I can only imagine how the singers felt belting out, “I finally found the right snack!” - “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” for Subaru
At least they left Shane MacGowan’s iconic tune intact. Dental bills are high, after all! - “Lust for Life” for Royal Caribbean
Let’s take a song about heroin addiction and sell cruises with it. Makes total sense, right? - “Bittersweet Symphony” for Nike
The Verve’s 1997 track, which famously sampled the Rolling Stones, ended up with the Stones pocketing all the royalties. And guess what? They licensed it for commercials like this one for Nike. Still a jam, though. - “Think” for Big Lots
The original message about “freedom” gets swapped with “value.” This is just sad on so many levels. - “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for Alamo
In 1998, Alamo Car Rental altered Bobby McFerrin’s classic. I’m not too bothered by this one since it was already part of the forgettable Cocktail soundtrack. - “99 Red Balloons” for Coca-Cola
Remember when this song was a protest against nuclear war? Yeah, me neither. - “Push It” for Geico
At least Salt-N-Pepa got a good laugh out of it. - “Mony Mony” for Nissan
While not exactly a classic, associating keg stands and questionable decisions with driving is just not cool. - “Blue Monday” for Sunkist
This one ranks low on the list because I’m not sure if it aired in the U.S., but seriously—New Order for Sunkist? - “Unbelievable” for Kraft
I hope EMF got a mountain of cheese for changing “Unbelievable” to “Crumbelievable.” - “Whip It” for Swiffer
Devo agreed to let their most famous song be used for a cleaning product because they found it humorously absurd. You can find the commercial archived for educational purposes here.
This list serves as a reminder that while songs can evoke strong emotions, commercials can often twist them into something we never imagined. If you’re looking for more insights on home insemination, be sure to check out this resource for pregnancy and home insemination. Also, if you’re interested in an at-home insemination kit, check out this page for some expert information. And don’t forget to read our terms here to stay informed.
In summary, commercials can sometimes ruin the magic of iconic songs by transforming their original meanings into something completely different.