Shilling in the name

There’s been much Bill Hicks-style gnashing of teeth over Bob Dylan’s decision to promote an environmentally-unfriendly Cadillac SUV. Presumably everyone’s forgotten the old man’s equally startling 2004 ad for Victoria’s Secret underwear (wonder if he blagged a free pair).

Anyway, here in the Q office it got us talking about other examples of musicians hawking their art to The Man.

The White Stripes – Coca-Cola
Jack White wrote the track Love Is The Truth especially for this ad, which only aired in Australia. “It interest[ed] me as a songwriter,” he explained, depressingly.

Gary Glitter – Heinz Lentil Soup
A nostalgia trip back to the days when the jump-suited one was still more “laughing stock” than “hate figure”.

Franz Ferdinand – Sony Walkman
This ad only aired in Japan, so UK fans were spared the sight of bassist Bob Hardy stroking an MP3 player like an orphan paws at a cherished teddy bear.

Snoop Dogg – Orbit Chewing-Gum
“Dirty mouth? Clean it up with Orbit Peppermint.” Makes sense – but what’s the cloud-dwelling goat-angel all about?

Madonna and Missy Elliott – Gap
Widely-ridiculed shame-cavalcade, in which Madonna soils her legacy in excruciating, bicep-flexing fashion. Bonus points to sidekick Elliott for rhyming “jeans” with, er, “jeans”. Also guilty: Ryan Adams.

5:47 PM | 23/10/2007

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