It’s funny, but I find a lot of my new music from TV commercials. Unfortunately, it takes some investigating to figure out who wrote what music because the music isn’t always publicized. Some companies, like VW, have a place on their web site dedicated to this type of info. Others, like Mitsubishi don’t mention their commercials at all. Of course, VW has already released a compilation CD of some of their commercial music. So, they might be the exception rather than a norm.
I’ve found some good resources on matching music to commercials, though. Here they are:
- Clipland
- Commercial Breaks and Beats: UK Television Advert Music Database
As a result, I’ve found out that the cool VW commercial they’re showing on the Loews commercial reel has music by ELO called Mr. Blue Sky.
Now, who owns an ELO CD anymore?
There are some cool finds buried in there, and it’s a lot of fun to figure this stuff out.
On another note, I’ve noticed that I find “new” music from the companies focused on younger consumers. Like VW, or the Mitsubishi Montero commercial (which turned me on to telepopmusik). On the other hand, companies like Lexus (which used a Chemical Brothers track on one of their recent commercials) tend to focus on established artists, even if it’s electronica or some alternative style. I realize this is probably a function of their advertising agency and probably by design, anyway, but I just thought it was interesting.
Update: Feel free to ask questions in the comments below. Regular readers are happy to answer, as am I.





September 17th, 2008 at 9:23 AM
To 2150: The song is “Cobrastyle” by Teddybears Sthlm and Mad Cobra; Robyn also does a version.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Does anyone know the name of the song used in the Discovery Channel’s ‘NASA’s Greatest Missions’ advert currently showing in the UK? I know it’s not ‘Gimme Shelter’ as used in the US…
September 20th, 2008 at 7:41 AM
I am also looking for the song used in the Discovery Channel’s NASA’s Greatest Missions advert! Love to know!
September 21st, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Reference #2101 & #2111 for Dana – Techno song in Summer 2008 Nissan commercial is “Hoops” by the Chemical Brothers… It is an awesome techno song… Nissan also used it is 2004
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 PM
This has probably already been posted, but the electronica song behind the Lincoln MKS commercial that looks like it was shot on the Bonneville salt flats (flashes of white or silver Lincoln) is “Technologic” by Daft Punk, available on YouTube.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:52 AM
To Logan Regarding #2146, “Awe Shucks!!!”. Luv, O
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 AM
To Ottenbacher: You’re making me blush
I like the way she has performed cover songs for ads (DeBeers, Lincoln, etc)in the past. Too bad she hasn’t turned them into “for purchase” extended version. I did read recently where she has another cd coming out soon. I guess it’s wait and see time.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Does anyone know the opening theme music of the t.v. show Cold Case on TNT? I’ve heard it for a few years on several shows but never found a site that actually answers these type of questions until today.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:55 AM
To 2152 & 2153, Pink Floyd – The Great Gig in the Sky
September 24th, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Kaiten, you’re an absolute legend… that has been doing my head in for weeks! Thank you very much.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
To Jen O: The theme song for Cold Case on CBS is “Nara” by E.S. Posthumus. Does TNT use the same song?
September 24th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Logan, TNT does use the same music. Wow! Thank you! This site is awesome!
September 24th, 2008 at 12:00 PM
To Jen O: Great! Got your song. Hope you enjoy it and you are welcome.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:34 PM
I am looking for 2 things:
-background Music from M&M’s Premiums Triple Chocolate – Sultry Sexy Green Commercial
-opening montage music from House Episode 2 “Not Cancer”
September 26th, 2008 at 7:31 AM
OK, the Music from the HOUSE, MD opening Montage of Season 5 Episode 2 is “Vice” by The Crystal Method.
I am still having a heck of a time trying to find the M&M commercial music.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:06 PM
i was wondering what the name of the song in the new cadbury chocolate ad where the chocolate man walks around and there are people eating him and it ends when he lsoes his arm?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 PM
PLEASE!!!!! does anybody know the name of the instrumental song for the new Pampers Baby Wipes Commercial???? I’m dying to know the name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Jake–
Did anyone ever come up with an answer to your question (#2100)? Because I’m still trying to find out what that instrumental music was from the Lexus Summer Sales Event tv commercial. Now that it’s autumn, the ad isn’t running anymore. If you (or anyone else out there) happens to have recorded the commercial, could you maybe use Shazam to identify it? I’m stumped, but I really want to know what it was…
Many thanks!
Lisa
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Hey can anyone tell me about this song? On Comcast on Demand I always watch Spongebob, and there is always commercials before the show starts. There is this Payless Commercial with this song sung by a woman. It has the line “So please don’t (sign) my apology” I think. Can anyone tell me what the title of the song is and who it’s by?
October 5th, 2008 at 5:38 PM
anyone know the song in the reebok ad (nfl), its always on nasn during the baseball playoffs, pls?
October 5th, 2008 at 7:53 PM
i’ve been wondering the name of the song from a cadillac commercial where the red head lady from grey’s anatomy and now in her own show called the practice or something is driving a cadillac. it’s kind of a rock sound.
October 5th, 2008 at 10:01 PM
To stef: It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Reebok ad. This summer and leading up to the NFL season, they used Vashti Bunyan – “Train Song” quite a bit. Is it that one?
October 5th, 2008 at 10:08 PM
To Anonymous: Regarding post# 2171 and the Cadillac ad song, unless it changed (Haven’t seen it in a long time), the song is “Stars” by Hum.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I’m trying to find out the name of the song/artist featured in the 2008 TV commercial where there’s a guy & girl when the commercial comes on & the female lyrics are: “I Love You”…dun…dun…dun. It’s a funky, hard-hitting, fast-beat song & I’ve heard it on the radio also, but keep missing the artist’s name!!! It’s driving me crazy & when I try to Google it I only get other songs…not the song that I want. I thought the artist was Amy Winehouse, Natasha Bedinfield, Corinne Baily Rae, Nelly Furtado or Joss Stone. But, again, I can’t find the song. I want it!!! PLEASE HELP!!!
October 6th, 2008 at 7:19 PM
To anonymous: Regarding post 2174, which commercial? Help us help you.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Hi I am looking for the Home Depot Team COlors Commercial, the one where they strap Brutus the Buckeye into a van… the song is a neat guitar riff and a whistle. Any info regarding the title or ANYTHING regarding the song, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
here’s the link to the song on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWM5hNrLLBM
Take Care
October 7th, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Response to post 2175: I don’t know what company the commercial is advertising for…you see, that’s the thing. If I knew that, I probably could’ve found the artist/song by now. But, I’ve only seen the commercial once, this past weekend, and what I described above was all I saw of the commercial, with that short chorus, by a female with a raspy voice singing “I LOVE YOU”, and then a hard-hitting beat in a 3-count right after that. I’m still going crazy trying to find this song…and unfortunately, I haven’t seen the commercial since then. I know…it’s “clear as mud” right? LOL! Maybe someone will read my post & be able to decipher it & give me the name of the song!!! Damn…don’t you hate hen that happens???!!! I keep hoping I’ll see the commercial again. *sigh*
October 8th, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Ok, it’s been 3 years and I am still looking. I first posted in 2005-06 after hearing a neoclassical music piece so beautiful that I am still looking. It was on one of the Sharp Aquos campaign commercials, the one featuring shots of The Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Rose Bowl, The Lincoln Memorial, etc. Every time I’d asked who it was, I’d get Jonathan Elias. After listening to his music, I’ll say again, I never did and still don’t think Mr. Elias did this particular piece, just doesn’t sound like his style. I now think it was done by the LA Philharmonic in it I hear bright piano, cello, harp, and flute and Sharp just used it for that one commercial then maybe used Elias’s music for all the rest.
I know that the world had moved on but-IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS THE ANSWER PLEASE EMAIL ME pjjns28@gmail.com
October 9th, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I too am desperately looking for the violin music in the Pampers Sensitive Wipes commercial…aargh
October 10th, 2008 at 2:29 AM
does anyone know the song in the dentyne ice commercial that has the slogan “make face time?” it is a french song that sonds like fon, fon, fon, fon, fon, chou cher chou cher moi(i know the spelling is prob totally off) in the commercial there are scenes of a group of friends hanging out different places(bedroom, black sand beach, etc)…
October 10th, 2008 at 10:47 AM
To Indigo: The Dentyne song is “Summer Day” by Coconut Records. Only the small part of the song with French lyrics is used in the ad.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:21 PM
PAMPER BABY WIPES COMMERCIAL!!!!!!!!!
October 12th, 2008 at 9:35 PM
This is the coolest site ever. I dig cello, and the most beautiful sequence I’ve heard recently was on the Audi commercial. Where can I get this? How can I get this? Can I get this? Thanks for any leads! Verne.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:30 AM
To Verme: Regarding the Audi ad music, go to the provided link: http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2.html
October 14th, 2008 at 4:25 AM
To David #2135
I think the song you may be looking for is
“Walking on broken glass”, and it is by Annie Lennox
October 15th, 2008 at 6:53 AM
TO TAWANA
THIS BAND COULD POSSIBLY BE BRITT BLACK ON ITUNES BUT IT’S NOT AN ACTUAL SONG AS FAR AS I CAN TELL BY THE LYRICS , IT’S PROBABLY A PROMOTIONAL SONG RIFFS AND ALL FOR THE DODGE NITRO , SOUNDS JUST A LITTLE LIKE PORCUPINE TREE OR ABIGAIL’S GHOST ( ITUNES ) BUT I’D LIKE TO FIND OUT WHO ACTUALLY DOES THE SONG JUST THE SAME , THE CHASE IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE CATCH !!!
October 17th, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Hello again Ad Music savvy people, who does the 2009 Volvo S80 Luxury Sedan commercial? Thanx again, O.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:33 AM
TO Pj Jns #2178- I believe the music you are looking for in the Sharp “Aquos” commercial is by Endless Noise. Go to youtube and type in: Sharp “Stage”. You will see the commercial with all those sites you mentioned, although, to me, the music sounded mostly synthesized, not orchestrated, and no flute, so it may not be what you are looking for.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Does anyone know who sings the song on the Quaker Oats commercial…the only words sung are “Im living proof.” Thanks for your help.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:18 PM
plz wpuld somebody tell me the name of the song on the promotional add of mbc2 movies in motion its a kinda techno and i really need to know the name of the song and the artist , thanx for all of you guys that could help me with this i will really apriciate it thanx again
October 21st, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Ok, looking for a song on a recent Chrysler commercial. The song is fast paced Hip Hop/Rap and has base in it. I can’t find it and it’s driving me nuts.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:44 PM
The song for the Clorox Sensitive Wipes is Dream by Angela McCluskey
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 PM
1920’s/1930’s style male vocals. Lyrics: “My prayer is to linger with you, at the end of the day, in a dream that is devine.” What’s that song?
October 24th, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I am also looking for the Pamper’s instrumental. Very nice!!!
October 24th, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Everybody is looking for the Pamper’s Instrumental, but no luck
October 24th, 2008 at 9:31 PM
the song “my Prayer” was sung by the Platters in the 50’s
October 27th, 2008 at 5:15 PM
This is from original Commentor #2174: I FINALLY found the song I’ve been looking for since 10.6.08!!! I finally saw the commercial today for only the 2nd time & it was a Nivea commercial. The song is “Mercy” by Duffy!!!
Man…that song has been driving me crazy!!! Thank you to “Logan #2175″…even though you couldn’t help me at the time because I didn’t know the product in the commercial, you were still willing to try.
October 28th, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Excellent. I can see the relief in your face right through my monitor. I definitely know how maddening it can be. I believe the song title is most appropriate for the occasion. Glad you got it.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Does anyone know the song from the Payless Shoesource ad? It goes something like
You know you could’ve been a rockstar
I can tell just by the way you like to move
Here’s the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o169Hm4w610
October 30th, 2008 at 3:43 AM
New 300c commercial. “Move aside, and let the man go through. let the man go through”
it’s soul coughing – super bon bon