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The commercial is tacky and I hate it. Before they became just another marketing tool, flash mobs were great for introducing spontaneity into everyday life – now, as is the case with just about everything else, the idea has been co-opted and commoditized by marketers. And thus dies yet another form of spontaneous creativity for creativities’ sake – the sort of events that take place just for the hell of it, with no interest in selling you something.

 

As for the decision to sell another song, meh, whatever – I haven’t really listened to (new) Wilco all that much since Sky Blue Sky.

 

At some point, Wilco's entire catalog will be probably be available for use in commercials, etc - that will be fun.

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The commercial is tacky and I hate it. Before they became just another marketing tool, flash mobs were great for introducing spontaneity into everyday life – now, as is the case with just about everything else, the idea has been co-opted and commoditized by marketers. And thus dies yet another form of spontaneous creativity for creativities’ sake – the sort of events that take place just for the hell of it, with no interest in selling you something.

 

As for the decision to sell another song, meh, whatever – I haven’t really listened to (new) Wilco all that much since Sky Blue Sky.

 

At some point, Wilco's entire catalog will be probably be available for use in commercials, etc - that will be fun.

 

Welcome back, buddy. I've missed you around these parts.

 

--Mike

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Poverty=Purity, eh? The music industry is less profitable than ever, except for the absolute lowest common denominator. I'd rather have Wilco music in a commercial than not at all. Right now, that's a false choice, but that's the direction the industry is moving. It's not 1985 any more.

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Ok hotshot, you are in a burning warehouse with Wilco’s publishing rights and a petri dish of embryos and can save only one. What do you do?

 

What do you do?

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But some of them actually use Sprint products...while driving Volkswagens...full of gas from Wilco travel stations...

 

What exactly is the travesty? The commercial itself? The commercialization? The phone? Sprint? The flash mob idea?

 

I was just trying to rile people up. Good to see GON back...he's been missed around here.

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Hurl....You can't help to have mixed feelings about this. At least I can't. I understand money is important, and it's not like they're popping any cherries selling out to Sprint, but it's still a sell out. In a perfect world, my favorite bands wouldn't allow their music for commercialism because it's obviously not what the music is about. I can feel kind of indifferent about it, but all the "oh, cool" comments make me feel sick and smack of arse kissing.

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The songwriting credits on Summerteeth were given to the entire band so the estate of Jay Bennett, John Stirratt and Ken Coomer (provided he isn't still trapped in a basement) oughta be getting a few royalties kicked their way as well.

 

--Mike

 

Oh yeah, I forgot that. Good for everyone else!

 

Popular music in commercials used to be taboo among artists. Now, with the exception of U2, Radiohead and a few others, it's actually encouraged by labels and management. There is no radio anymore, if a commercial helps sell some mp3's, it's worth it. Smaller bands can finance an entire record with one commercial. A little easier (and more reliable) than Kickstarter.

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Hurl....You can't help to have mixed feelings about this. At least I can't. I understand money is important, and it's not like they're popping any cherries selling out to Sprint, but it's still a sell out. In a perfect world, my favorite bands wouldn't allow their music for commercialism because it's obviously not what the music is about. I can feel kind of indifferent about it, but all the "oh, cool" comments make me feel sick and smack of arse kissing.

It's not 1985 any more.

Please realize that many, many people do not pay for music. Whether illegal downloading, copying CDs, or just using Spotify, etc. I suppose Wilco could charge $270 for concert tix like Neil Young. I'll take a Sprint commercial and $40 tickets.

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Please realize that many, many people do not pay for music. Whether illegal downloading, copying CDs, or just using Spotify, etc. I suppose Wilco could charge $270 for concert tix like Neil Young. I'll take a Sprint commercial and $40 tickets.

 

Fair, but how much did bands get from record proceeds before the web? Not a lot, Wilco has always made no bones about touring being their bread and butter. And I hope they would never charge ridiculous fees to their shows, but those bands charge that cause people will pay it....My point was I accept the selling out - it's really their business what they do with their music - but for fans to rave about it, like it's a great thing, I just don't understand.

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Who cares if people like it -- what difference does it make to you? It certainly doesn't bother me if someone likes the ad.

 

I suppose I come on this forum hoping there are like-minded indviduals who value and respect Wilco and the music. And also hope for interesting discussion or debate. When I see a nonobjective willingness to condone whatever is presented, I find it disappointing and realize I'm probably not in the right place. Nuff said, over and out, roger, ....

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The commercial is tacky and I hate it. Before they became just another marketing tool, flash mobs were great for introducing spontaneity into everyday life – now, as is the case with just about everything else, the idea has been co-opted and commoditized by marketers. And thus dies yet another form of spontaneous creativity for creativities’ sake – the sort of events that take place just for the hell of it, with no interest in selling you something.

 

As for the decision to sell another song, meh, whatever – I haven’t really listened to (new) Wilco all that much since Sky Blue Sky.

 

At some point, Wilco's entire catalog will be probably be available for use in commercials, etc - that will be fun.

 

I wondered if you were ever coming back! Good to see you have not mellowed out in the absence.

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Why shouldn't it be looked at as a good thing?

 

Wilco made money...

Some folks who may not ordinarily be exposed to Wilco will be...

It's still a great song. The ad can't change that.

I don't get the sour reception by some folks. It's no different than somebody releasing a really bad cover.

Plus, in 2 months it will be totally forgotten about.

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I suppose I come on this forum hoping there are like-minded indviduals who value and respect Wilco and the music. And also hope for interesting discussion or debate. When I see a nonobjective willingness to condone whatever is presented, I find it disappointing and realize I'm probably not in the right place. Nuff said, over and out, roger, ....

 

All of those things exist on this forum...you just picked the wrong thread. But just because some fans really like the commercial doesn't mean they don't value and respect Wilco and their music.

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I really see nothing wrong with the use of this Wilco song in this commercial. To my mind, a lot of what might bother me would depend on the details and the context. I would not want to hear "She's a Jar," for instance, used in a commercial for a jar of pickles. Neither would I want to see "How to Fight Loneliness" used in a commercial for an antidepressant. Etc., Etc.

 

But a jaunty tune like I'm Always in Love? And it's not even Wilco performing it--it's just the song/tones. Really, what is wrong with that, unless you live in a cave and think all commercial enterprises are inherently corrupt and evil.

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I suppose I come on this forum hoping there are like-minded indviduals who value and respect Wilco and the music. And also hope for interesting discussion or debate. When I see a nonobjective willingness to condone whatever is presented, I find it disappointing and realize I'm probably not in the right place. Nuff said, over and out, roger, ....

 

It hasn't occurred to you that someone might actually genuinely like the ad?

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I really see nothing wrong with the use of this Wilco song in this commercial. To my mind, a lot of what might bother me would depend on the details and the context. I would not want to hear "She's a Jar," for instance, used in a commercial for a jar of pickles. Neither would I want to see "How to Fight Loneliness" used in a commercial for an antidepressant. Etc., Etc.

 

But a jaunty tune like I'm Always in Love? And it's not even Wilco performing it--it's just the song/tones. Really, what is wrong with that, unless you live in a cave and think all commercial enterprises are inherently corrupt and evil.

 

We could go all day with that idea!

 

"Box Full of Letters" for FedEx or UPS; "I Must Be High" for an anti-drug campaign; "Passenger Side" for an anti-drunk-driving ad; "Hotel Arizona" for Marriott; "Sunken Treasure" for a scuba vacation; "Forget the Flowers" for 1-800 Flowers; "When You Wake Up Feeling Old" for a retirement community; "Kamera" for the next Ashton Kutcher Nikon ad; "Pot Kettle Black" for Williams Sonoma; "Spiders" for pest control; "I'm a Wheel" for Michelin tires; "What Light" for GE light bulbs; "Country Disappeared" for a political ad; and "Capitol City" for a tourism ad.

 

There, I've hit every Wilco record.

 

They obviously should've included those lines in the commercial. So relevant to outpace the competition.

 

:lol

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I can feel kind of indifferent about it, but all the "oh, cool" comments make me feel sick and smack of arse kissing.

 

Since I was the only one in the thread who used the word "cool" up until this point (used it twice, even!), I guess this was directed at me somewhat.

 

I suppose I come on this forum hoping there are like-minded indviduals who value and respect Wilco and the music. And also hope for interesting discussion or debate. When I see a nonobjective willingness to condone whatever is presented, I find it disappointing and realize I'm probably not in the right place. Nuff said, over and out, roger, ....

 

Wow. What can I say? Volkswagen drove away with all the shits I used to give about Wilco ever selling out.

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