Indie music used for non-indie motives - what difference does it make?

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Can music be listened to without any such baggage? Related question: can/ should music be enjoyed for its own sake (appreciation of melody, craftsmanship)? Or is this dead muso and anti-punk?

― Will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

new answers

― Will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I find this question hard to answer because I think "Bohemian Like You" is one of the worst singles ever made anyway. Vodafone gives it a context outside the Dandy Warhols therefore improves it.

― Tom, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The thing is that the ability to make my own mind up about the song was taken away from me: the first time I heard it was the advert. I couldn't hear it 'cleanly'. If I had heard it for the first time on the radio I may well have hated it for itself alone.

― will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I find this question hard to answer because I think "Bohemian Like You" is one of the worst singles ever made anyway.

b-b-but Tom! its the Teenage Dirtbag of late 01. surely you must love it?

― gareth, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

(giggles) - Gareth - you rock.

― Will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I was going to say that it sounded like Five playing "Jumpin Jack Flash" but that might be good.

― Tom, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh Tom, that's just silly.

It does sound like a Stones rip-off.

― Will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

And they're so GRIMY! When Kate used to go on about dirty dronerock boys I didn't realise how literal she was being.

NB "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth" is the "Teenage Dirtbag" of '98 but "Bohemian Like You" is the "Spaceman" of '01.

― Tom, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

aww Tom, you just hate pop;)

― gareth, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It's a very weedy song for a "rock" band, isn't it? That said, I have a teensy affection for the Dandy Warhols.

But back to the thread - surely anyone who contextualises a song because of connections created AFTER the song was written/released is just falling victim to their own prejudices? One of the most joyous things about getting older is my increasing ability to admit to myself and anyone else that I like songs which, once upon a time, I'd have refused to like at a fairly deep level just because they were by a band I was worried would make me look uncool.

― Mark C, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hahahahahahaha!! Tom is BOTM! I can't believe that both the Dandy Warhols and the FUZZ LIGHTYEARS were on the same page in Smash Hits. SH/NME role reversal? See also the So Solid Crew group photo/description used in NME that is used in Smash Hits EXACKERLY THE SAME!!!

This only adds to my feeling that VODAFONE ARE LARFFING at me. I am so leaving my contract with them ASAP.

― Sarah, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

everyone knocks the dandy warhols tune for having that )probably deliberate) stones riff in the mix, but when Primal Scream did an entire album of what sounded like stones covers, the music press couldn't fall over each other fast enough to compliment them.

eh? primal scream rocks was the beginning of the end for indie, discuss?

― Alan Trewartha, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

If the music press really *did* do that for that horrible album, they should all be shot like dogs. And that goes double for that fucking "Rocks" song.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The funniest thing about that "Rolling Stones" rip-off riff (Peter's fault!) is that they were so frightened that they might be sued by said band over it (or rather, sued by Allen Klein in the same way the Verve were) that they actually had the music transcribed and examined by a noted Musicologist in order to ascertain that it was not dead plagiarism. I think this is just about the funniest thing ever.

Oh, and why is the Vodaphone so offensive in a way that the Gap ad, for example, wasn't? More omnipresent? Their record company sure isn't paying them any of the money they deserve, so if they get their rent money from Vodaphone, who's to moan? It's their business if they wanna say "Yo, bitch" to a wad of cash.

The song is actually brilliant because you cannot actually tell if it's parody or homage. This is the best sort of satire ever.

And mmmm, DIRTY dronerock boys. Yum.

― kate, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The Dandy Warhols is a stupid name for a band. Nuff said.

And frankly I like music on adverts. It detracts from the adverts. ANd I hate mobile phones. What am I trying to say?

― Pete, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Re 'Bohemian' - I like it. It is, however, the exact same song as Ted Nugent's "Snakeskin Cowboys". Expect a flaming arrow through their door quite soon.

― dave q, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, and why is the Vodaphone so offensive in a way that the Gap ad, for example, wasn't? More omnipresent? Right! I have bit of a bugbear with V*DAFONE. First of all. They spell it "Vodafone" to try and be cool. I do not think this is particularly kewel. Second of all, they cannot simply call their website "vodafone.com" or "vodaphone.co.uk". They call it something like "vizavvi.com". WHY? WHY DO THEY DO THIS? It's IMMENSELY twatty. They send me all sorts of junk with information about how to play SMS who wants to be a millionaire. DO THEY THINK I AM A MORON? I have no desire AT ALL to play that and I dislike Vodaphone assuming that the type of person who has a contract with them is part of aforesaid lifestyle: which includes SMS TARRANT and the bluddy Dandy Warhols!!!

The Gap is less offensive cos it has robots that dance funny to Daft Punk, instead of.... whatever happens on the Vodaphone advert, so dull I've forgotten it already actually. Oh yes, that stupid "we're gorgeous" thing. Heh, probably commissioned by Martin Creed. Actually, I can see how Creed would be interesting if transplanted out of the world of the Turner Prize tossery and into adverts.

Pete, I wuv adverts. They're often better than yer ackshirle telly itself! I cite the Frosties TIGER IMPRESSION advert. Ace. Also the Smirnoff advert. THAT'S LIFE!

HI ADVERTISERS! SELL TO ME!!! (Um, I seem to haf gorn off topic. Oops).

― Sarah, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Tom is right, them Dandy Warhols look like they need an introduction to soap and water, and a decent tune or two.

― chris, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

perhaps the DWs shd do camay? have em before looking rocky and playing dronepop, then after looking fly and wiped and dancing to daft punk, w a cutaway to Kate going "Nooooooooooooooooo!"

― mark s, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sometimes decontextualising a song can enhance its credibility. Take the wonderfully innovative use of "Venus In Furs" in the Dunlop Tyres ad, for example. I know plenty of people who became interested in the Velvets through that advert, and that's certainly no bad thing.

"Bohemian Like You" is so *dilute* it doesn't surprise me in the slightest it's been reincarnated as a bland corporate theme. That's sheer karma.

― Trevor, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

sheer karma = tiger in jungle book surely?

― kaa, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't know what Alan is on about. 'Give Out But Don't Give In' (or whatever it was called) had the piss taken out off it by all and sundry, inc. the music press.

I like that Vodafone song. It's catchy.

― Nick, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i agree Nick, who is it by?

― gareth, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i'm getting on a bit, memory playing up. i have this overwhelming memory of bewilderment about the press response to the album which (to me) was clearly rubbish.

maybe it was just the NME?? i can't stand the confusion in my brain.

― Alan Trewartha, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

well i liked "Bohemian Like You" the *first* time it was released, so rasps to the lot of yer! :) i was more than a bit shocked though when Low did that Gap ad, and Clinic did the Levi's ad. tp have actually been aproached for sponsorship - my gut instinct is to tell them to fuck off. unless it's advertising chocolate soya milk of course - YUM.

― katie, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hold up - re-reading the question suggests there is a consistent set of Indie Motives. Such as having floppy fringes, thinking they are all really sensitive and not washing as much as they should.

― Pete, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

surely the funniest advert music at the moment is the levellers selling their soul to Heinz. Horrible smelly crusty bastards. Fucking hippies grrrrrrrr they always sell out to the man.

― chris, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

yes, that knocked me sideways when i first heard it.

"Wealth re-distribution, became the new solution". indeed

― Alan Trewartha, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

just looked at their official site and they're quite candid about the "we did it for the cash" thing

― Alan Trewartha, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

like I said, money grabbing hippies.

levellers = ben & jerry

― chris, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Tompaulin say "the only veal for Tompaulin is Amalgamated Slaughter Inc veal!"

I'm probably making that dinner invitation less likely, aren't I Katie...

― Mark C, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Soap and water is so passe.

― kate, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

We dream of making songs for adverts. (would be a great album title!)

― james, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Also they haf been using bohemian like you on the footy for goals being scored including stinky man u ones who are sponsored by vodaphone who use the song in their advert (and has stinky man u in too), can this be allowed???? gary lineker would never have let them get away with it...

― carsmilesteve, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

lineker wanted hrvatski

― gareth, Friday, 9 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I saw the Dandy Warhols on Top of the Pops on Friday and have since revised my opinion. Vodafone have nothing to do with it. They're just fucking shite. What was the guy doing with those poncy maracas, looking like Menswe@r? Fool.

― Will, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"I can't believe that both the Dandy Warhols and the FUZZ LIGHTYEARS were on the same page in Smash Hits. SH/NME role reversal?" Shurely 'Fuzz Lightyears' is the WORST BAND NAME EVER? And I hate that Dandy Warhols single. It's poo.

― DG, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

They claim heroin is passe = they are on crack

― Andrew L, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Oooh, but they did look awful on TOTP. The expression on the lead singers face was the most irritating in known history. The song's shit as well, and I was most disappointed that Paul saw fit to play it at Strange Fruit.

― RickyT, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

My mum didn't mind the Dandy Warhol's song.

― james, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

six years pass...

The Dandy Warhol song 'Bohemian like you' is on Radio One as I type. Through no fault of its own, this song now bugs all manner of shit out of me as it is being used for the advert for mass bastard corporate organisation Vodafone. I hate the fact that I'm essentially listening to a subliminal advert, not a tune to boogie to.
Can music be listened to without any such baggage? Related question: can/ should music be enjoyed for its own sake (appreciation of melody, craftsmanship)? Or is this dead muso and anti-punk?

-- Will, Wednesday, 7 November 2001 01:00 (6 years ago) Bookmark Link

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:29 (seventeen years ago)

Shurely 'Fuzz Lightyears' is the WORST BAND NAME EVER? And I hate that Dandy Warhols single. It's poo.
-- DG, Monday, November 12, 2001 1:00 AM (6 years ago) Bookmark Link

hard to disagree

― DG, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:30 (seventeen years ago)

Yeah, god forbid people who like indie music have somewhere to hang out.
-- Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Saturday, 30 November 2002 20:18 (5 years ago) Bookmark Link

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:30 (seventeen years ago)

And by "indie music" he means "having group sex while dressed as a flying squirrel"

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:30 (seventeen years ago)

DG, what was the best Lollies gig you ever went to?

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:31 (seventeen years ago)

First of all. They spell it "Vodafone" to try and be cool. -- Sarah, Thursday, 8 November 2001 01:00 (6 years ago) Bookmark Link

She has a point, people who deliberately misspell words in an attempt to appear interesting are all deeply loathsome. Oh wait.

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:33 (seventeen years ago)

i'm not going to feed yr kate-hate dom

― DG, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:34 (seventeen years ago)

old ilx, amirite guys?

― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:34 (seventeen years ago)

Did they do "Super Shiny New Boyfriend" or "The Ladybird Song"?

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:35 (seventeen years ago)

i can't really remember

― DG, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:36 (seventeen years ago)

i've changed my mind. Nu-ILX is much better.

― darraghmac, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:37 (seventeen years ago)

^^^^this guy knows what's up

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:38 (seventeen years ago)

(giggles)

― Lingbert, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 14:52 (seventeen years ago)

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