So, Neil, we were just sitting around wondering if you’d like to be in an ad. Or let us use your songs in an ad. Or maybe you’d like to write a jingle for one of our many fine products. C’mon … you know it’s just a matter of time. Everyone eventually sells out. McCartney and Dylan paved the way. Now, we’ve got Johnny Mellencamp. He was all sincere and self-righteous, but it’s been a looong time between hits, and the bills keep piling up. Look, Neil, you’ve already got a song about how you won’t do ads. Let’s use that, but modify the lyrics: “I love singin’ for Pepsi. I love singin’ for Coke. … This Bud’s for you,” etc. You can say it’s an ironic commentary on artistic integrity … whatever. Or mumble incoherently, that works for Dylan. Even if you hold out, we’ll get you in the end. We put dead celebs (and their work) in ads all the time. P.S.: Santa Monica, ’79: Great show, man. You rule! P.P.S.: Seriously, Hallmark really wants to use “Heart of Gold” for Valentine’s Day. And the Army’s got dibs on “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
—Posted by David Gianatasio
