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Amazing Stories Behind Hit Songs That Mention Brand Names On The Radio
CBC Radio 1’s "Under The Influence" had an amazing half hour this week. It was all about hit records that mention brands and what happened as a result of that free advertising when the songs were played on the radio. There’s a lot there, including tales about “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon and an amazing story I’d only half heard before about “Lola” by the Kinks.
But by far the most surprising revelation had to be what happened in English radio as a result of Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show’s infamous ditty, “The Cover Of The Rolling Stone.” I’d never heard the story before or the version that they tried to release over there so it could get played on the BBC. (It’s at the 19 minute mark if you don’t want to listen to the whole thing.)
The show airs Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:30 AM, but the entire thing is posted online in case you want to hear it at your leisure. This episode is definitely worth a listen.
Under The Influence: Why Ray Davies flew 26,000 km to save Lola
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Re: Amazing Stories Behind Hit Songs That Mention Brand Names On The Radio
I had never heard that version of "Cover of the Rolling Stone before". Kind of wish I hadn't. It ruined it.
Now meaning to veer off the topic, but this reminds of another song whose lyrics changed to suit an overseas market.
In 1981, a young Christie MacColl write this cute dittie call "There's a guy works down the chipshop sears he's Elvis"
She then re-did it as a straight-up country tune.
Only problem is, who in the U.S. knows what a chip shop is? Ok then, just change the lyrics to truck stop.
Last edited by Peter the K (February 7, 2019 5:33 pm)
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Re: Amazing Stories Behind Hit Songs That Mention Brand Names On The Radio
Resurrecting this ancient thread (from 2019) because Radio 1 reran this episode of "Under The Influence" on Thursday (with a repeat coming on Saturday morning at 11:30 AM) and it was as great as I remembered it. But in case you're new here or maybe missed this, I can't recommend it highly enough. The stories behind how some of the biggest hits we all know mention certain products, from Coca-Cola to Kodachrome, and the problems it caused on the radio.
But it's the incredible story about the re-recording of Dr. Hook's "The Cover Of The Rolling Stone" that's the stand-out to me.
One of my favourites from the series, and worth a listen if you've never heard it (or a re-listen if you have.) It's this kind of show that explains why this is one of my few "appointment tuning" programs.
Under The Influence: Why Ray Davies flew 26,000 km to save Lola
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