m&s ad - Barlow version of Here Comes The Sun

[porridge]

Just saw this ad, not too bad at all.

Any other opinions?

[Six Fiend]

I like the song and find his version quite pleasant

[CatJ]

I;m a fan of it too.

[Fluid]

It's rather nice, he should release it as a single.

[lotus72]

Barlow? 'Here Comes The Sun'? Ugh.

[VumGarda]

This song has been stuck in my head permanently since the advert began airing.

[thehawk]

He hasn't done it a disservice but I see little point in it, just Karaoke really. They could have done the ad with the original.

[andyroo]

thehawk said:

He hasn't done it a disservice but I see little point in it, just Karaoke really. They could have done the ad with the original.

I like that way of putting it - it is just glorified karaoke. Rarely does a cover perform better than the original (Hallelujah covered by Jeff Buckley and Song to the Siren covered by the Cocteau Twins spring to mind as a couple)

[Simpo Two]

Poor advert though - because unless you watch it right to the end you have no idea what it's for. With head down surfing it's just a music track. You need some kind of VO at the end saying 'Get your stuff at M&S'

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

Bleagh! it's a horrible, horrible, horrible version of George Harrison's wonderful song!

Thin, lightweight lyrics, by a totally forgettable voice.

AFAIAC the best version was the 1976 cover by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel - a version that will probably never be bettered.

[Zad]

Gary Barlow - eurgh. I (just) remember the original from my parents playing it in the car when we went on holiday. Cassette player wedged between the handbrake and passenger seat. Happy memories of sunny days. And, as has been pointed out, it doesn't tell you what it is selling until the end.

Yet I still kinda like it. No, I know. I shouldn't. All the ads nowadays are formulaic and slaves to the advertising standards code, it is nice to see one that's just "we want you to like our products".

[KB_S1]

The advert is quite cool but, the song. Why?
He has affected his voice to mimic The Beatles, it is all a bit softer and neater than the original.
I just don't see the point in this version really.
Something is bugging me about the timing in it too but, I have only heard it on the advert a couple of times so haven't figured out what it is.

[Dracoro]

He's just "blandified" the song, has added NOTHING of any musical merit rendering it pointless.

Why not just have the original instead?

I'm all for a good cover/interpretation of songs but this stuff (and most pop-factor-whatever stuff) is the musical equivalent of taking a work of art and making a cheap print and leaving out all the fine artwork and detail etc. At worse, it's like a masterpiece and creating a colour-by-numbers version of it In motoring terms, it's like one of those Ferrari "replicas"

[Rugbyman]

Its a copy not a version of the song - and I cant abide seeing Barlows smug face at the end , I have to turn away

[weyland yutani]

Id rather listen to the Go Compare theme on loop for eternity.

[anonymous-user]

Rugbyman said:

Its a copy not a version of the song - and I cant abide seeing Barlows smug face at the end , I have to turn away

I know exactly what you mean.

[lotus72]

You could have got Paul and Ritchie to re-record it?? LOL.

[audidoody]

Any guesses on how much M&S paid for the rights?

I'd guess at least £250,000

[marcosgt]

Symbolica said:

Rugbyman said:

Its a copy not a version of the song - and I cant abide seeing Barlows smug face at the end , I have to turn away

I know exactly what you mean.

Exactly what I thought...

I have a similar reaction whenever I see Barlowland (or is it Barlowworld?) vans!

M.

[Zad]

audidoody said:

Any guesses on how much M&S paid for the rights?

I'd guess at least £250,000

I'd guess the Performing Rights Society's standard rates. I would also guess they use Gary Barlow because he is more identifiable by the target demographic than the women who are fans of George Harrison.