The inevitable sell out post

[MattZ]

I wouldn't be surprised if the song was left off the album, in large part, for artistic reasons. Maybe the band didn't want us to be listening to the album and then 4 songs in, have visions of VWs? If anything, maybe there was a higher artistic issue here for the band? Maybe the song was left off the album in furtherance of art instead of in spite of it?

 

Also, on a side note, when I hear I Heard It Through The Grapevine, I do think of that commercial from years ago with the dancing raisins. I hate to say it, but its true. It is one of the few instances when the commercial has overtaken the tune. I don't think that will happen here.

[aricandover]

I wouldn't be surprised if the song was left off the album, in large part, for artistic reasons. Maybe the band didn't want us to be listening to the album and then 4 songs in, have visions of VWs? If anything, maybe there was a higher artistic issue here for the band? Maybe the song was left off the album in furtherance of art instead of in spite of it?

 

 

"You Are My Face" and 3 other songs being used in other spots, kinda shoots this theory down.

[MattZ]

"You Are My Face" and 3 other songs being used in other spots, kinda shoots this theory down.

 

 

Yeah, I guess so. Seemed reasonable at the time.

[LouieB]

since we already own a VW, may we be excluded from this nonsense?

Actually I own Toyotas and I had hoped Wilco would advertize for them instead.

 

How about a pony?

I dig a Pony!!

 

LouieB

[caliber66]

I respect those who have offered valid criticism regarding my opinion, and if I have offended you in any way, I apologize (I

[Good Old Neon]

Here's my last try. I do feel there's a distinction to be made between "valid" or "uncompromised" commercial use of songs and "selling out." Let's see if we can come up with some hypotheticals:

 

Putting some songs in a Bacardi commercial series while/after Jeff's in rehab: selling out.

Championing animal rights, working with PETA, etc., then selling a song to KFC: selling out.

Speaking out consistently against a president, then taking $$ to play at his second inauguration: selling out.

Licensing a couple songs for use by a car company that makes quality automobiles: not so much.

Bad example. I can't think of a more pervasive ad campaign, ever, aside from the Budweiser "wassup" ads. I haven't even seen one of the new Wilco VW commercials...

 

World News Briefs; Volkswagen Faces Suit Over Jewish Slave Labor

 

 

*Please Note: Archive articles do not include photos, charts or graphics. More information. June 13, 1998, Saturday

(By The New York Times); Foreign Desk

Late Edition - Final, Section A, Page 5, Column 1, 302 words

 

DISPLAYING ABSTRACT - Klaus von Munchhausen, lecturer at Bremen University, says he is suing Volkswagen, seeking payment of wages to 30 Jewish slave laborers who were forced to work for the company during Nazi era; action is a blunt reminder of Volkswagen's roots not only as Hitler's favored car company--the idea of a Volkswagen, or 'people's car' was a pet prewar project--but also as a key player in the Nazi armaments industry

[ction]

This is a great thread.

[Good Old Neon]

"Volkswagen acknowledges the use of forced labor during the war. The company exploited an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 slave workers at its Wolfsburg plant to make military vehicles and munitions during the war, Mr. Graef said.

 

Volkswagen, which already has been threatened with a lawsuit by a German attorney over unpaid wages for slave laborers, next month is expected to establish a "humanitarian fund" for victims of slave labor. The volume of funds to be dispensed will be decided at a Sept. 11 board meeting and will be independent of any government-sponsored fund." - International Herald Tribune

[caliber66]

Is there a single person living today and still associated with VW who was involved in exploitation of Jewish labor during WWII? Is sixty years enough separation? Good thing Wilco didn't sell a song to be used by the American Cotton Shippers' Association.

[JUDE]

Is there a single person living today and still associated with VW who was involved in exploitation of Jewish labor during WWII? Is sixty years enough separation? Good thing Wilco didn't sell a song to be used by the American Cotton Shippers' Association .

 

Nice one, Nazi...

[Sir Stewart]

I don't get why it's not okay to feel like it kind of sucks that there are a bunch of Wilco songs in a car commercial.

[caliber66]

Who says it's not okay?

[Spawn's dad]

I don't get why it's not okay to feel like it kind of sucks that there are a bunch of Wilco songs in a car commercial.

 

 

calm down, hippie

[Sir Stewart]

>

[OOO]

>

 

What exactly does that mean?

[Sir Stewart]

What exactly does that mean?

"sex thing"

[embiggen]

"sex dream"

[Good Old Neon]

Is there a single person living today and still associated with VW who was involved in exploitation of Jewish labor during WWII? Is sixty years enough separation? Good thing Wilco didn't sell a song to be used by the American Cotton Shippers' Association.

 

So history, and a companies place within it is of no consequence as well?

 

The company exists today because of that slave labor and its association with the Nazi party - doesn't that matter even just a little bit?

 

Who gives a fuck right - I mean, Wilco's on TV - what better way to enjoy them than during a Wheel of Fortune commerical break - right? Or right after that Paris Hilton McDonald's or whatever ad - it's no big deal.

[embiggen]

so, if I own a VW, I guess I'm a Nazi sympathizer.

[PigSooie]

Duh.

[Atticus]

so, if I own a VW, I guess I'm a Nazi sympathizer.

 

that's why my wife drives our VW now. I was tired of getting the bad press.

[cryptique]

So history, and a companies place within it is of no consequence as well?

 

The company exists today because of that slave labor and its association with the Nazi party - doesn't that matter even just a little bit?

Nope. And to suggest otherwise is really reaching. The name has persisted, but nothing else.

 

Who gives a fuck right - I mean, Wilco's on TV - what better way to enjoy them than during a Wheel of Fortune commerical break - right? Or right after that Paris Hilton McDonald's or whatever ad - it's no big deal.

What do other ads, or the programs during which they're shown, have to do with anything?

[KevinG]

Or right after that Paris Hilton McDonald's or whatever ad - it's no big deal.

 

Paris Hilton's ad/softcore porn ad was for Carl jr's. Do not besmurch the good name of the McDonald's Corporation.

[M. (hristine]

So history, and a companies place within it is of no consequence as well?

 

The company exists today because of that slave labor and its association with the Nazi party - doesn't that matter even just a little bit?

 

Who gives a fuck right - I mean, Wilco's on TV - what better way to enjoy them than during a Wheel of Fortune commerical break - right? Or right after that Paris Hilton McDonald's or whatever ad - it's no big deal.

Baby, go outside. Get some fresh air. Ki(ck)ll your television.

[Sir Stewart]

Nope. And to suggest otherwise is really reaching. The name has persisted, but nothing else.

Really? VW's current budget/profits/business dealings have absolutely no ties with their past? Did they do some sort of clean cut off? (It's hard not to sound like you're screaming at someone when you're asking questions in a debate thread so I'll have to say here that I'm only asking these questions because I'm actually wondering - I mean, I know a company like John Hancock still lives (to some extent) off the money it made in the African slave trade, so it would seem remarkable that VW could make a complete break from its past).