Catchy Jingles

Have you ever been glued to the television set in the hopes of seeing a particular commercial that plays a catchy jingle?  Have you become so addicted to that jingle that you hit the Internet and iTunes to find the name and musician?  If you answered yes to both, then you truly are a music enthusiast.

Some years ago, Mitsubishi presented its newest car model (the Eclipse) to the world.  However, what the Japanese company was not counting on with the automobile success it may have gained was the trick advertisers cleverly came up with.  Emphasis on music.  For months, viewers became listeners.  "Days Go By," as performed by Dirty Vegas on the album Dirty Vegas, became an overnight radio smash in 2002.  This jingle - err, song - has a nightclub beat without being on the oppressive house side.  At the time of its original release in 2001, "Days Go By" was an immediate addiction to many.  U.K.-based Dirty Vegas achieved phenomenal success - #14 in the U.S., #16 in the UK, Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, and thanks to Mitsubishi, incredible exposure beyond radiowaves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_Go_By). 

Kia Motors recently presented to the world two new car models - Soul  and Sorento.  However, Kia inadvertently presented two songs that have left much wonder to listeners.  Both are cleverly presented and more than catchy.

"Fort Knox," by Goldfish and featured on the album Perceptions of Pacha, is best known through animated hamsters driving the Kia Soul with a groove.  And with a groove rightly so.  In my eyes, "Fort Knox" has a tough, static beat with enormous amounts of dance rock and the sense of a country western saloon at the very beginning.  Alas, however, the South African-based Goldfish pride their songs on electronic, dance, jazz, and African music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfish_(band) ).  Our visions are clearly different, but my God this song is awesome!  Every time I hear this song, I am lost in a groove that I don't want to get out of...much like the hamsters.  Goldfish has accomplished much in their career - 8 nominations for Best Duo/Group and Album of the Year and winning Best Producer and Best Dance Album (2009 South African Music Awards); 1 nomination for Best Alternative (2008 MTV African Music Awards) (Id.).

"How You Like Me Now?" by The Heavy and featured on the album The Heavy, is best known through animated stuffed dolls driving the Kia Sorento with overly enthusiastic grooving imaginations.  This song is just too much fun to listen to.  I imagine "How You Like Me Now?" being reminiscent of James Brown, had he created and performed well into the 21st Century - groove, funk, and fun.  I'm not too far off with my image.  The Heavy utilizes neo soul guitar, rock crunchy guitar, and funky horns, amongst many other blended sounds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heavy_(band) ).  "How You Like Me Now?" has gained great public exposure - Kia and the 2010 Super Bowl.

Readers may think that I watch too much television to find these songs (which by the way, I did download from iTunes).  I find myself instead to be passionate, finding great and unique tunes anywhere.

So rev up your engines and play it!