Saturday, July 2, 2011

Speaking of beer...

I know a few of you might be waiting for Part 2 of my Dublin Chronicles, but, frankly, here's the truth of the matter: It got kind of boring after that first morning. Well, not boring. Because I loved every minute of my trip. But that was kind of it as far as "amusing anecdotes in which I prove what a clod I am" go. I do want to revisit it, but, on my mind today is...a beer commercial.

Specifically, this one:



I came across this on "the Internet" this morning, randomly, as tends to happen in that crazy place, and it's been on my mind all day long. I'll admit that there's a certain nostalgia factor at work here, as I distinctly remember seeing this as a boy (I was 9 years old at the time), but, man, what a great commercial this is. I don't even mean in a cheesy, ironic way. Though of course it is cheese par excellence. Especially if you watch it a few times in a row and focus on the way some of those white guys are dancing.

But, really, there is something just so wonderfully earnest about this one. I mean, I know they're selling beer, so it's not earnest in the way that, say, Joan Baez was earnest. But still. I like that they're just very sincerely and nicely singing about how great the beer is. Rather than trying to convince us that we're going to score chicks if we drink it, or that we'll be part of the cool crowd, or whatever. It's just a very celebratory ode to the drink itself. The choreography, too, the way they enter a few at a time (just like in Stop Making Sense!), the way the American flag slowly lights, the way they all look at the lead singer when she delivers the big line, it's just...perfect. And of course it all comes packaged with the standard 70s-era semi groovy/hippy/we're-all-in-it-together vibe, complete with a conspicuously self-congratulatory mixed demographic, though back then "mixed" just meant black and white, as there are no other discernible races represented, which is okay because I think there actually were no Asian people back then anyway.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks to my pal Chris Remo for pointing out to me, after I published this post, that there does, in fact, seem to be an Asian woman in the chorus here. I suspect, however, that she was only recently photoshopped in by the CIA, or something.]


Part of me (the old, curmudgeonly part) wants to say "Boy, I sure wish they made commercials like this today!" But the truth is, there are still some great ones, and some shitty ones, just like back in 1970. This just happens to be one of the great ones from back then.

I sure wish they made commercials like this today.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was watching the Rifftrax's Star Wars Holiday Special and was actually moved by the sincerity of the commercials. The late 70's were truly the peak of advertising. It's like the Mad Men guys retired and it just became SEX, SEX, and SEX. I blame Gen X.

CallMeSarge said...

I love beer commercials, I grew up in the 80's and have fond memories of the UK's "I bet he drink's Carling Black Label" Adverts.

The undisputed king of beer adverts is guiness though. From Rugter Hauer through to wip3out snails they were all awesome. Here are 2 beer adverts for consideration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGJiTpBBD18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJeXQniTKto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ5s6PLB44U


Damn, now i need to go and find a top 20 list of the greatest beer adverts ever and argue with the screen about the ordering and omissions.

Mark S said...

This is a great commercial, good call. Just wanted to say I've been a fan since your editor-in-chief days with CGW, which I sorely miss. Tom vs Bruce of the later days was simply hilarious.

I've followed this blog since day 1 and just want you to keep on doing what you are doing. It is very much appreciated and lights up my days.

I am glad that you have found solace in PopCap (it seems). It sounded through the blog like you hard a hard time finding your way, and I'm sure it was worse than it sounded.

Thanks for all the laughs,

Mark

PS. I knew you had good taste in music but I was surprised to see Destroyer on here. Well done sir.

Mark S said...

Hey, just feeling nostalgic and wondering if you know if there is any place to download the whole of the GFW Podcast? The 1up site feed seems to only have seven episodes....

Thanks!

JSD said...

Whoa, Jeff, you just got acquired by EA. "Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in."

JSD said...

@ Mark S,

It looks like all the episodes are here.

http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3148397

Mark S said...

Thanks for the help JSD. It's just too bad that there isn't one centralized way. An endorsed torrent or something. Ah well.

Good luck with the new (old-ish) job Jeff!

M. Steighner said...

From those days gone by when commercials and TV shows had honest to God themes and tunes, instead of beatz.

Roman said...

I finally watched this ad and I was pleasantly surprised!I think this is the first Budweiser ad that I actually liked. This is not going to change my opinion about the beer, but still... :)