Cat Power Covers David Bowie To Sell Cars
Chan Marshall is really into covers. She, of course, has The Covers Record and its Starbucks-ready sidekick Jukebox as well as some Cat Stevens coverage for the love of diamonds and Nerves coverage for Cingular. Now, for another commercial, she's put her imprint on David Bowie's "Space Oddity" for the new 2009 Lincoln MKS. The spot, which is titled "Lift Off" and finds a satisfied (and rich: the MKS is expected to be priced in the $38,000 range) Lincoln owner turning on the ignition and some very dramatic pistons with some lighting effects, was reportedly recorded in June and airs this month. "Boot Up. Lift Off."
(Via GvsB)
That countdown references Bowie, but it's also letting you know how many pennies you'll have left after investing in the MKS's average 19 miles per gallon.
Posted at 3:07 PM by brandon in Commercial Appeal, Video
Tags: Cat Power | David Bowie
lets have Outback™ tonight.
Score = -1
I don't think she actually recorded the entire "How Can I Tell You" cover, and I wouldn't be surprised if the story is the same on this one.
I'm already mixed on artists I like hawking diamonds and gas-guzzlers, but recording a piece of a cover just for a commercial seems wrong (and it's not only becuase I want to hear the whole thing).
Score = 3
It's not like she's rolling in money from album sales. I likes the song and I likes the commercial. Doesn't mean I likes the car.
Score = 4
Yikes, that was pretty bad.
Score = -2
My heart just shrank a little bit
Score = -1
Sounds amazing. I hope there's a full-length version in the future.
Score = 2
Not only was that a horrendous take on the song, but it was completely awkward and show-stealingly bad. I had no idea what they were trying to sell me, all I could concentrate on was that horrible music. Really? That's the commercial?
Score = -6
Cat Power is so lame now.
Score = -9
She seems to have retreated completely into her throaty jazzy vocal ticks. I miss the old sweetly singing folky Chan.
Score = 1
I might have to agree here. Hearing both versions of Metal Heart almost seems like they're by two different artists.
Score = 0
Maybe she should change her stage name to Car Power ... cause the car is powerful ... like a spaceship. Vroom vroom.
Score = -1
i actually really wanna hear the full recording now. that snippet is pretty intriguing. anyways the commercial wasn't that bad
Score = 1
i still like cat power. i don't mind if she makes some money, and i like it when her voice comes into my home unexpectedly, even if i would never consider buying a car like that. i do want to hear the full cover. i always liked that song a lot.
Score = 3
i just died a little bit.
Score = 0
people gotta make a living.
Score = 0
my humble opinion? Cat ain't getting rich from her cd sales, I know this and most all her fans do as well, as such ? Usually I have a problem with artists rolling in the dough (hint hinT: The Olden Stones) making commercials, but this awesome lady has to make a buck where she can, and until such time as I see her on the top grossing tour listings for a year? do what you got to babe, you ain't whoring, your diversifying!
Score = 1
Always amazing -- and disheartening -- that people can close their ears and minds to music for any reason. This track tantalizing tease from a wonderful musician who has grown so much, and continues to blossom. I'm not going to buy a Lincoln, but I will buy a version of this song if it is released. And I certainly hope Chan earned enough to be able to buy a Lincoln, or do whatever she wanted with a tidy sum for a job (more than) well done.
Score = 1
WTF.. God forbid somebody uses their talents to make money.. Why dont all of you just give me your money since you hate it so much... bunch of damn hippocrits is all you are.
Score = 2
you have to admit it does suck that she keeps making all of these commercials with awesome covers and possibly not even have a full track recorded. i'd love to hear the whole song, but i can't, and i'm stuck with that damn commercial for a car that only gets 19 miles a gallon.
Score = 0
Cat Power is "so lame" now???
Yes, I so agree that shoulda been Rhianna or Chris Brown in that fancy car commercial....
Ella, ella ella, a....
How is cat power "so lame" now? Do you know anything about her, or about her struggle as an artist or user??? Open those baby blues, shes not the first to do a TV commercial or to cover a legend like Bowie. AND SHE SURE AIN'T THE LAST. Chan can cover who ever she wants because shes FEIGGIN AWESOME. At least it's not Britney or Jessica! Stop criticizing covers because they aren't going anywhere. At least someone with talent is featured here!
Score = 2
Okay, sellout, blah, blah, blah. Did anyone happen to notice that her pitch is often not very good? I suppose not, in this era when mediocre karaoke singers can become stars.
Score = -2
I'm glad she made that 19 second cover for a ford. Because I looked up "Space Oddity Lincoln Commercial" and found Cat Power. Without that commercial I might not have found all the really great music she's recorded that never gets played on anything other than college and local radio
Score = 2
I'm with directfire... A while back someone had me listen to Cat Power, or at least I *thought* it was Cat Power, and I hated it. Turns out, it wasn't Cat Power at all -- and I kinda dig the chick. So, good things can come out of lame commercials.
Score = 0
I think Chan is at the top of her game-totally in control of her admittedly imperfect but, I think, AMAZING voice. Great choice of cover-she has impeccable taste in that regard.
yeah it's a bit disturbing that she's shilling for a great big gas guzzler-especially now.
maybe she snagged a downpayment on a house with the check-who among us can honestly say we'd turn that down?
Score = 1
Look at it this way. TV is a big part of all our lives. Admit it! The vast majority of us were watching tv when we learned of this ad. And wasn't it nice to actually hear talent? Real talent from a REAL artist and songwriter? We're ok with inundating our lives with brain-numbing jingles and god-awful pop music every day of the year yet we act like we are "so above" supporting artists that are "rolling in the dough" and have a tantrum if an indie favorite "sells out." Who are the real hypocrites here?
Score = 0
That is an awesome commercial. The song works out well for the imagery given, and makes it's statement short and sweet, exactly what a commercial is supposed to do.
I, like others don't appreciate good music being butchered and used as an "emotional hook" to increase a corporations sales - with that being said, I applaud the artistic talents that put this together, and hope that Cat Powers hasn't stereotyped herself into being a singing salesperson.
Score = 0
Cat Power Rocks! Her voice is one which I will never tire of. I hope that she will continue to write and create music.
Score = 0
It's not David Bowie's Space Oddity! It's Major Tom by Peter Schilling
Score = 0