Why are songs from the 1970s being used in so many TV commercials? Is it just to appeal to baby boomers?
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My Boomer Tips
And/or are the artists suddenly being offered sums that they can't refuse for use of their music? I don't imagine that they've all lost the rights to their music recently.
-Thank you
They are appealing to the generation with the money and power in the country right now. Also many of the artists have lost rights to their work.
They’ve sold out.
well, I think it’s sad because now there’ll be a whole generation of people identifying those great songs with mcdonalds, cadillacs, subarus, aspirin etc just like samples make some people think the original copied the remake.
maybe the artists are poor now and need the money
DING DING DING!!!!! You figured it out!
The songs being used generally have appeal across generations. In some cases they are advertising products meant for Boomers. As for royalties, only the songwriter(s) get money for use of the song.
Think of it this way- as baby boomers grow up, they eventually take over positions in companies and in other areas in society. In other words, the people from the 70s may now be in these positions so they are using what they knew from the past to advertise in current TV commercials. If this makes sense, then 10 years from now, you should see more 80s commercials, and 20 years from now- 90s TV commercials, and so on! I bet this would make a good research paper for any students out there!
In my opinion, a part of it is to appeal to the baby boomers, that is when the commercial is applicable which in many cases is not. Another reason is the music has kept it’s popularity, which validates how good it is. Another reason is baby boomers are now in decision making positions. It use to be considered "selling out to the man" to allow your music to be used like this. Now, marketing and promotion are the driving factors in the music business, not the music like it was back then. I also agree with you on the money issue, if you can get that much for a 20 or 30 year old song, why not. My question to you is, are you offended by it or just curious?