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.





October 30th, 2008 at 5:14 AM
What is the name of the song and who plays it on the new VW Van TV commercial … the one with the hippies??
October 30th, 2008 at 10:52 AM
does anyone know the song that plays in the car commerical with a silver car? ive only seen it once so i’m not sure the maker/model of vehicle. its more on the lines of techno. i dont recall there being people in it. just the car.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:27 PM
2202 I think you are talking about the Lincoln car commercial and it was on last night during one of the B-ball games, I think the Lakers. Looking for the same techo-like song with the high pitch computerized vocals!
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:37 AM
I know somebody – probably everybody can answer this one. What is the name of the song Sarah McLachlan sings on the commericial about lost/injured dogs and cats. Thanks a million –
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 AM
hey im wondering wat the song is off the dodge nitro ad “…Night and day take me far away…” thanks
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 PM
To Janet: The McLachlan song is In The Arms Of An Angel.
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Got one for you Logan, I scanned tru the last several pages and didn’t see it questioned so I hope I am not repeating – I need to know who does the song in the Geico/Cavemen ad, cavemen in motorcycle leathers… ?
Thanks in advance ’cause I know you’ll know it.
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 PM
…. and then I find it myself… lol – but thanks for reading,
“Hurt You” from the Sounds
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 PM
the name to the song with the hippies is
The Grass Roots
lets live for today
thanks
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I cannot think of the product/service, or the song name. I just know how it goes. And I hate being vague, but any help here would make this hunt so much easier. It’s been driving me nuts for almost a month now!
It’s a piano song. Used within this past year for a commercial. Light piano.
Doo de doo de doo de doo de, doo de doo de doo de doo de, doo de doo de doo de dee deeeeee
I tried =/
November 4th, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Thank you Logan (2206) — I appreciate your answering — even though I felt silly since I did find it right after I put in the post. Glad to find this site — helps you get those certain songs “out of your head” now and then. Have a great day.
November 4th, 2008 at 6:36 PM
To Janet: You’re welcome. Glad to help.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:34 PM
I saw a Suzuki commercial tonight on NatGeo and it was playing a song that was a fairly big hit a few years back. the Lyrics (refrain) was “I dare you to run.” Is that the name of the song or what is it and who is it?
November 5th, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Does anyone know the violin music to the Pampers Sensitive Wipes commercial?
November 5th, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Nissan commercial with the narrator constantly saying “Nissan Delivers”. It has a violin piece in the background, what is it?
November 6th, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Do you know the drum music used in the Ethan Allen commercial?
November 7th, 2008 at 12:54 AM
I asked in #2202 about the song in the silver car commerical. The car is the Lincoln MKS. The song is Technologic by Daft Punk.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I’m freaking out!!!!! Has anybody searched for the Pampers Sensitive Wipes commercial?????
The song is very lovely! :’(
November 8th, 2008 at 3:05 PM
hey by chance does anyone know the name of the song that plays duriing a showtime
commercial saying the time of brotherhood?…its like an upbeat song..no one’s singing
its just like a music piece..but its like upbeat and hype..like a dance song??
November 9th, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Hi Marie (and everyone)…
).
Thank you for that song. It was driving me crazy trying to find it
Alas, I have another request. (Don’t cringe, now.)
At a Christian bookstore in my home state, There was a praise song that was either Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman with the words “glory to Jesus” or “Jesus, we give You glory” in it. To narrow that down, they also sung the same part in Spanish, so it then was something like “gloria a Jesus.” It also sounded like it was at a live concert. I checked Chris Tomlin’s CD “The Best of Passion (So Far)” but I don’t think it was there. Anyone know the song?
Again, thank you profusely for finding that Annie Lennox one. Much appreciated.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Does anyone know the name of the techno (ish) song on the new national geographic channel (could be the smithsonian channel) commercial? It plays for about half the commercial before it’s interupted by another song, there no lyrics I could hear.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:24 PM
to #2210 Johnnnnn- sorry I don’t have the answer for you, but I just want you to know that when I read your clue, I laughed until I cried. Thanks!
November 9th, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Astrid (and everyone else who asked about this music)-go to youtube and type in: Pamper’s Sensitive Commercial. It will take you to the ad. There are 5 comments under the video, all of which ask for the name of the song played. It seems one of the texters actually contacted the company and received the reply that the music was written specifically for the ad and there was no way they ( the company) could find out who actually wrote it. Sorry! Know the feeling. Maybe you could email Pampers and get more satisfactory results.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Thank You sooo much pk, at least you’ve given some information. I contacted Pampers a month ago and they said that they didn’t know.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Hi, im lookin for the name of the song from the new Volvo advert. Its a male voice, slow song, i think the chorus goes along the lines of
“let me say it if you dont mind,
its only you i think about”
thanks
November 10th, 2008 at 4:30 PM
To Shogo: I’m not sure about now; seems like over a year ago Volvo used the song “It’s Only You” by Salem al Fakir. That one?
November 11th, 2008 at 1:50 AM
To 2213, the song is Dare you to move by switchfoot
Now if anyone can find out what song they used in this new saab commercial, I’d be grateful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCToibSmu4
November 11th, 2008 at 3:20 AM
does anybody knnow the music from this car commercial that has a black suv or car driving on a mountain, the setting is dim and icy with the words Black ICe pop up ….very melodic soft techno piano music
November 11th, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Trisha:Nissan commercial with the narrator constantly saying “Nissan Delivers”. It has a violin piece in the background, what is it?
Yeah, i’ve been hunting that song ever since i heard it about a month ago.
Anyone have any ideas?
November 12th, 2008 at 10:53 PM
who is singing on the chevy traverse commercial.?
November 13th, 2008 at 12:53 PM
To mac: Which Traverse ad? There’s a few of them out there. One of the more popular ones is “Make Me a Wish,” (formerly “Nothing Sweet as You as Honey Come from Bee”) by Emy Reynolds. Idon’t believe the song is currently available.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:35 PM
I’m looking for the background piece in the NEW Delta faucet commercial airing Oct/Nov 2008. This is different from preveious Delta posts (child following music into the drain…). Upbeat piano piece, I’m thinking it may be by MOBY? Kinda has that sound to it. Any help would be appreciated.
November 15th, 2008 at 2:42 AM
Looking for a song in a car commercial – i don’t remember what the commercial was really, but the lyrics are a guy singing kinda slow and indie “highest mountains I’ve ever climbed… you don’t forget me”. The commercial is new, and I just saw it tonight, so I know it’s not the cobalt add from a year ago. Any help would be great!
November 15th, 2008 at 2:57 PM
To Logan: Yes thats it thankyou, i thinks its only just started airing over here. Thanks again
November 15th, 2008 at 5:24 PM
To Shugo: Glad to help and my apology for the sp of you’re name in my initial reply. Hope you enjoy the song.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:32 PM
The commercial is for Nike (nikefootball.com) and the music is a remix of Clint Eastwood spaghetti western soundtrack. Does anyone know the artist or title? Much thanks
November 18th, 2008 at 7:32 AM
To LinkC: The Nike ad features ‘L Estasi Dell’ Oro (Bandini Remix) by Ennio Morricone.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:40 PM
To logan: Thanks so much for the info–totally sweet. I love this page and have found tons of great music on it thanks to people like you.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:29 PM
To LinkC: You’re most welcome. Hope you continue to enjoy your visits to Fatmixx.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:15 PM
@Izzywiz
YEAH! I need that one too! This is so frustrating, you can normally hunt songs down my lyrics, but instrumental pieces, no way.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:30 AM
I was watching South Park tonight (Nov. 20 tween 12 and 1 AM)when a commercial for a video game came on (Gears of War II) but the music was a mellow melancholy sort of crooning “Slim Whitman” or “Brian Ferry” kind of sound with these lyrics, give or take a word:
Nobody knows how this will all end
Any idea what it is?
November 20th, 2008 at 7:09 AM
To apol7lo: A current GW 2 features Devotchka – “How it Ends”. This one?
November 21st, 2008 at 2:05 AM
To Logan: That’s got to be it. I noticed it was also advertising X-box. Fantastic. Really appreciate your service here! Music is so important. Thanks so much. apol7lo
November 21st, 2008 at 9:38 AM
To apol7lo: Glad to help. Hope you enjoy the song.Sounds a bit like U2 in the beginning.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:28 AM
I’m pretty sure it’s for a car commercial, but I don’t know the song. I just know how it goes. And I hate being vague, but any help here would make this hunt so much easier. It’s been driving me nuts for almost a month now!
It’s a piano song. Used within this past year for a car commercial. Light piano.
Doo de doo de doo de doo de, doo de doo de doo de doo de, doo de doo de doo de dee deeeeee
I tried =/
November 24th, 2008 at 8:22 PM
i just saw the new heineken commercial for the “beertender” and there was a song playing in the background… the lyrics were something like “you know i’d live forever/if i had time to/yes i’d live with you forever/just to be with you, you”. can anyone help me find this song?
November 24th, 2008 at 8:54 PM
To fairy92606: The Heineken ad features Walter Meego – “Forever”.
November 27th, 2008 at 3:08 AM
2215 – There is a commercial with violin music in the background: Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
(I think it’s Nissan.)
December 4th, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Does anyone know the song from the pam:girl on the loose commercial? Much appreciated if u could tell. Thanks
December 5th, 2008 at 3:05 AM
anybody know artist or song for the new fruit of the loom commercial, looks like cirque de soleil or with a brazilian type music ribbon dancers surrounding the fotl guys?