BLOGS

A while back we took a look at commercial music. We do it again this weekend, but with a twist in that we're dealing with one product, and the use of popular music to sell it.

The product is Coca-Cola, and in the mid to late 60's their advertising agency paired popular artists with the product. The results were spectacular.

We'll start with one of my favorites, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. This one prompted some discussion on a soul music website. There are no writing or insturmental credits available, but it was theorised that (although it doesn't really swing), the Funk Brothers and The Velvelettes are backing the duo, and Motown (Norman Whitefield?) may have had some influence in the writing. What do you think?

Who or what ever wrote and/or arranged it, it's pretty darn good. As is this one, the only time anyone can think of that Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles got together for anything....

Aretha says she can't remember the spot, but it makes one wish they'd done more together.

Remember "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing"? The "New" Seekers made a top-10 hit out of it in the early 70's. But they've got nothing on the "Old" Seekers, who made a rouser out of our deer old soft drink.

Sounds a bit like "Georgy Girl", doesn't it?
I really love the early Neil Diamond. Not the introspective Columbia records Neil, but the early "Solitary Man" one. Well, these two spots he did for Coke fit right in to his early stile and would have made great singles in their own right.

From the "In Search Of The Lost Soda" LP, the Moody Blues had an entry into the cola wars sweapstakes. Not your "Go Now" Moodies.

"Peaceful and cool, sipping Coke by the pool"? Well, you gotta sell the product. One more from Gladys Knight And The Pips. Listen to the bass line on this one, and you tell me if it's James Jammerson on bass. I sure can't tell. Haven't heard it through the Coke vine, either

We're going to revisit this topic some time in the future. You gotta hear The Who do one of these.

....(OK, so I couldn't resist it). Lee Dorsey, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Roy Orbison and many others did spots for Coke, and the campaign extended into the "It's The Real Thing" campaign, with people like The Carpenders, The Tee-Set and others lending a hand. It's all good stuff.
Kick back with a bowl of chips and a soft drink and have a great weekend.

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