It’s a strange feeling when a beloved song you grew up with suddenly pops up in a commercial hawking a product you never knew you needed. Every generation experiences this, with Baby Boomers likely cringing at Nike’s use of The Beatles’ “Revolution” back in the 1980s. And though I can’t confirm its existence, rumors of a Buick ad featuring The Doors’ “Light My Fire” in the 1960s certainly add to the cringe factor. Here’s a look at twelve songs that have seen better days—thanks to their commercial misuse. Which ones do you think I overlooked?
- “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for Fiber One
This is the song that inspired this entire list. Bonnie Tyler’s powerful 1983 ballad has been twisted into a jingle promoting a snack that helps with digestion. It’s hard to imagine the artists belting out lines like “I finally found the right snack!” - “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” for Subaru
While Shane MacGowan’s dental bills might be hefty, at least they didn’t mess with the original lyrics. - “Lust for Life” for Royal Caribbean
Using a song about addiction to promote cruises? Sounds like a marketing misfire. - “Bittersweet Symphony” for Nike
This 1997 hit from The Verve, which faced legal battles over sampling, ended up being licensed for commercials. The irony isn’t lost on fans. - “Think” for Big Lots
Originally a song about freedom, the lyrics were altered to focus on “value.” It’s a sad moment for music lovers everywhere. - “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for Alamo
In 1998, Alamo altered Bobby McFerrin’s catchy tune. While it may not bother me too much, it does bring back memories of a movie we should probably forget. - “99 Red Balloons” for Coca-Cola
Remember when this song was a commentary on nuclear war? Yeah, that’s been lost in translation. - “Push It” for Geico
At least Salt-N-Pepa are in on the joke with this one. - “Mony Mony” for Nissan
This tune might not be a classic, but associating it with reckless behavior and driving is a questionable choice. - “Blue Monday” for Sunkist
I’m not sure if this ran in the U.S., but New Order for Sunkist? Really? - “Unbelievable” for Kraft
EMF’s lyrics were changed to “Crumbelievable” for this Kraft ad. I hope they received plenty of cheese for that! - “Whip It” for Swiffer
Devo agreed to let their iconic track be used in a Procter & Gamble commercial, finding the whole concept amusing. While I couldn’t find a link to the ad, you can view it “archived for educational use” here.
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In summary, these twelve songs have undergone transformations that many fans would prefer to forget. Commercials can sometimes tarnish the legacy of great music, leaving us wondering which beloved tracks will be next on the chopping block.
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