Gone Commercial - Popular Songs in TV Ads

Ray of Light is a great song to pump Microsoft's new software.

Madonna in People Magazine

I love One Week and I think the song is what makes the ad.

Barenaked Ladies

The Levis commercials shown at the movies rock!

Pair of Levis

Gone Commercial - Popular Songs in TV Ads - Reviewed by Kidzworld on Dec 27, 2006

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Have you noticed any familiar tunes popping up in commercials? What songs are Microsoft, Volkswagon and Levis using in their ads? Here's a look at songs that are pluggin' products on the tube.

Have you noticed some of your fave tunes popping up in commercials? Advertisers have been borrowing popular tunes to plug their products for years but lately it seems like every commercial has a recognizable tune.

Advertisers do this to make you think of their product. If the tune is catchy, it gets stuck in your head and if the commercial does the trick you will think of their product when you hear the song. If an artist lends their tune to a commercial, does that make them a sell-out? Here's a look at some popular songs that are pluggin' products on the tube.

Microsoft - Madonna's Ray of Light

Bill Gates convinced Madonna to lend her high-energy techno groove, Ray of Light, to promote his new software, Windows XP. Ray of Light is the theme song for Microsoft's ad campaign. The cost of using the song has not been disclosed but I bet Bill really had to empty his wallet. When Microsoft launched Windows 95, they reportedly paid $12 million to use The Rolling Stones' Start Me Up.

Mitsubishi - Barenaked Ladies' One Week

This catchy tune is used in the commercial for Mitsubishi Motors Lancer automobile. This ad is trying to snag the hip twenty-somethings and features a group of friends riding in the car and singing along to One Week.

Jaguar - Sting's Desert Rose

After Desert Rose was used in a Jaguar ad it even boosted the sales of Stings' Brand New Day album. It just goes to show that, even though companies benefit from buying the tunes, artists can benefit by selling them too.

Volkswagon - Styx's Mr. Roboto

This funny tune is an 80s hit that was brought back to life by a Volkswagon ad targeting young drivers.

Car ads constantly use pop songs. Songs by The Chemical Brothers and Moby have also turned up in car ads.

Levis - Diana Ross' I'm Coming Out Okay, I like this funky 70s song but I found the singing belly buttons in this ad a little on the freaky side. Levis chose this song for a commercial to promote their low-rise naval-baring jeans. The low Levis jeans show belly buttons "coming out" above the waist band and singing along to the song.

Have you seen any commercials featuring a popular tune? If ya have, send them our way and if the ad got your attention and if you think the artist sold out.