This morning around 3 am I heard one of my favorite songs in a commercial. The song was "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" by The Buzzcocks...one of the greatest bands to come out of England before the 1990's. I used to be vehemently opposed to great rock songs being used in commercials. My opinion has changed in recent years mostly because radio is not what it used to be. These days if an aspiring band wants to be heard by anyone outside of their following, sadly, commercials seem to be the way to go. This also goes for classic bands that don't get the respect that they deserve anymore. (I found out about Bob Dylan's latest album from an I-tunes commercial) So, at 3am a smile crossed my lips. "WOW", I thought. "Some kid flipping channels past his bedtime just got to hear a Buzzcocks song...fucking "A" awesome".
Then I saw the product being advertised and my heart sank. It was for the AARP. Yep the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). What the hell? Has punk rock officially gone the way of Sinatra and turned into "old fogies music?" I realize that Pete Shelly and Howard Devoto are both in their fifties now, but , man, to have one of your greatest tunes turned into a jingle for the fucking AARP? For Christ's sake, what's next? The Sex Pistols "Pretty Vacant" in a Depends commercial? Black Flag's "Thirsty and Miserable" used to shill Ensure? What does this all mean? I would hate to see the soundtrack of youthful rebellion associated with products for the aged. I realize some of these songs are as old as I am but their meaning, their spirit hasn't aged a day.
This makes me feel SO fucking old.....
