1 of 1- RadioActive
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What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
I've been seeing this ad for The United Way on screen recently, and every time it comes on, I have the same question: why are they using that soundtrack?
In case you haven't seen it, it shows a number of people presumably using charitable services provided by the agency, while Buddy Holly's "Everyday" plays for 30 seconds. There are no words spoken beyond the ancient tune that plays until it ends.
What does the Holly song mean in connection with the United Way? It's not the most important question of the day, but it makes me wonder why they chose that particular tune to back their spot. It makes no sense whatsoever and most people of a certain generation will never have heard of it - or Holly.
Has anyone else noticed this?
- Dicky Doo
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
You're absolutely right; it makes no sense to play a tune that charted 67 years ago, Radio listeners these days only want to hear music from the 1980s & 90s, music that CFOS in Owen Sound calls "the Oldies". The world needs more Michel Buble and a lot less Buddy Hollly
D.D.
Last edited by Dicky Doo (January 13, 2026 11:42 am)
- paterson1
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
I haven't seen the ad so I am just guessing. Listening to the first line of the lyrics, "Everyday it's a gettin' closer, goin' faster than a rollercoaster.." could be in reference to the United Way's fundraising drive and goal. Everyday they are getting closer to their fundraising goal?
Not so sure it is that important that some are not familiar with the song. If they see the ad a few times they will be.
- newsguy1
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
The only thing I can think of is that the lyrics of the song are about how finding love is getting closer every day.
Somebody thinks that suggests help and "love" from the United Way is getting closer to helping you... or something like that.
But think of the thousands of songs that would have lyrics that fit much better.
Here's a few suggestions, "Here Comes The Sun." The Beatles
"Help" The Beatles
"Mr Blue Sky" ELO
"Stand By Me" Sam Cooke
"Lean On Me" Bill Withers
Any more suggestions?
- Fitz
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
This visual version gives the game away somewhat. BTW the organic percussion in the song is rock trivia fodder:
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- newsguy1
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
Yeah, so that's pretty well what I thought.
- Fitz
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
newsguy1 wrote:
Yeah, so that's pretty well what I thought.
You're right !
As as the generation point. I think the tune is timeless and does not sound a day over 67 minutes.
Last edited by Fitz (January 13, 2026 12:21 pm)
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- DX
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
This visual version gives the game away somewhat. BTW the organic percussion in the song is rock trivia fodder:
But what is a typewriter?
- RadioActive
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
This visual version gives the game away somewhat. BTW the organic percussion in the song is rock trivia fodder:
I believe the one that airs on TV is only 30 secs. I suppose the idea behind this is the tag line about how they're working harder "Everyday" to make lives easier. But it just seems like a weird choice to me.
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Thread Starter- RadioActive
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
The only thing I can think of is that the lyrics of the song are about how finding love is getting closer every day.
Somebody thinks that suggests help and "love" from the United Way is getting closer to helping you... or something like that.
But think of the thousands of songs that would have lyrics that fit much better.
Here's a few suggestions, "Here Comes The Sun." The Beatles
"Help" The Beatles
"Mr Blue Sky" ELO
"Stand By Me" Sam Cooke
"Lean On Me" Bill Withers
Any more suggestions?
Can't say anything about some of the choices, but I'm pretty sure they'd never get permission to use any of the Beatles tunes for a commercial, charity or not. They're some of the most heavily protected songs in all of music and they're very particular who gets to use them.
And they can't use "Lean On Me," because it's already the centrepiece of a currently running Bell Media campaign.
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Thread Starter- Dicky Doo
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
"Stand By Me" Sam Cooke
"Lean On Me" Bill Withers
Any more suggestions?
Some might match Ben E. King with "Stand By Me" (not San Cooke)
- Fitz
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Re: What Does This Song Have To Do With This TV Commercial?
This visual version gives the game away somewhat. BTW the organic percussion in the song is rock trivia fodder:
But what is a typewriter?
if you're playing Rock Jeopardy re the percussion - no cigar.
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