Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaign

Update 11/12/11, 10:00 PM PT:

Link posted at Morrissey Reddit:

Morrissey, how could you? Fans of The Smiths horrified as 'anti-establishment' band allows John Lewis to use song in Christmas TV ad - Daily Mail
£6m promo already being dubbed the greatest ever

Update 11/11/11, 7:10 AM PT:

Ad is now on YouTube:



Also:
Please please please don't sell our music to advertisers - by Adam Boult, The Guardian

Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaign - The Telegraph

His lyrics are not usually associated with festive cheer, but Morrissey has permitted department store John Lewis to use a song by The Smiths for its Christmas advert.

Excerpt:

The famously curmudgeonly singer has given his blessing for a cover version of Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want to feature on the chain’s £6 million television advertising campaign.

The track will be performed by Slow Moving Millie, a relatively unknown musician and actor whose real name is Amelia Warner and was once briefly married to the Hollywood actor Colin Farrell.
 
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it's actually a great advert, as adverts go.
what is it with you lot? are you all anarchists living in the woods despising capitalist commercialism? no, you have tellys, you watch ads, you buy shit, get over your selves.
its a good cover and a bit fun, doesnt show moz or marr or the the song in a bad light in any way. as for the money grabbing- yeah i'm sure they're desperate for a few grand. and when he wipes the floor with the nme next year that'll just be for the few quid he gets out it.
lighten up floks and maybe you'll get what you want.
 
Look, my central argument has nothing to do with anti-capitalism, it is just pointing out sheer hypocrisy. Morrissey, a staunch vegetarian, to which he takes an obstinate line - cannot suddenly jettison these attitudes for money. It renders everything he stands for obsolete, some of their most iconic songs now mean nothing, save for the superficial appeal...

We are hopelessly bound to the capitalist system, so I wouldn't necessarily point the finger at any old artist for such a gesture; but Morrissey and the Smiths' music has political implications. Therefore, he can no longer make such apparently "objective" statements about the "murderous meat-trade" when he has now gone into bed with the devil.

If you cannot see the difference between 'Please please please let me get what I want" than, say, 'close to me' by The Cure being used to shift cheap tat, then this whole debate is null and void to you.
 
In a wider-context, it signifies another battle lost for the common man inasmuch as in such a precarious economic time, we need to show 'solidarity' by proving that not everything is subject to corporate exploitation. This of course is an 'ideal-world' context, yes, however, Morrissey/The Smiths do indeed foster an ethical stance in their music and imagery, and their artistic sensibility is reliant on this. One thing is clear, Morrissey as a political figure has now perished.
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

In a wider-context, it signifies another battle lost for the common man inasmuch as in such a precarious economic time, we need to show 'solidarity' by proving that not everything is subject to corporate exploitation. This of course is an 'ideal-world' context, yes, however, Morrissey/The Smiths do indeed foster an ethical stance in their music and imagery, and their artistic sensibility is reliant on this. One thing is clear, Morrissey as a political figure has now perished.
Hey Burroughs, I have to say to ever have regarded Moz as a political figure would have been a mistake. I don't know if you saw him on the 'One Show' a year or so ago, but he was asked to comment on unemployment. The response was just embarrassing, he suggested that the unemployed take up poetry or painting instead of working for a living.
Now I bow to no one in my admiration for the man as a musician and writer but a political figure he aint.
 
I'd have preferred if they'd used the original Smiths version. The cover version sounds like it's being sung by someone from Dawson's Creek to a lost love from a Twilight movie. The emotional power just got dialled down.
 
I'd have preferred if they'd used the original Smiths version. The cover version sounds like it's being sung by someone from Dawson's Creek to a lost love from a Twilight movie. The emotional power just got dialled down with this softer version. In fact it sounds like something you'd hear on XFactor if they actually tried to sing good songs.
 
Just a few questions--because I am certainly no expert in music/entertainment legal matters. Firstly, who owns the rights to the cover version of this song? Would a company need to seek the permission of the original artist to use a cover version of a song in its advertisements? I thought that the cover artist bought the rights to record/perform a song, and then he or she could do with that cover version whatever he or she desired without seeking the permission of the original artist. I suppose that there are different kinds of contracts and agreements and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. I do know, for example, that Marc Almond has re-recorded "Tainted Love" numerous times because he sold the rights to the original recording. He cannot license out the original recording, but he can do what he wishes with the newer recordings that he owns. The articles claim that the John Lewis company sought permission from the record company and Morrissey/Marr to use the song, but since it is a cover version, is this permission even necessary?
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

What a fantastic ad. Made up this was allowed as the imagery of the song fits wonderfully with this lovely little film. Ive always loved the spirit of giving at Christmas, and now I have two little kids its great to see them love giving presents to me and their mum. Great great ad.

It's a wonderful heartbreaking film which I think is one of the best ads of all time. Great that The Smiths song is there, an absolutely marvellous and fabulous song in the state-of-art ad. Well done Moz!!!!!
 
I love the original song. While the advert is okay, as adverts go, the cover is f***ing awful.

This so called 'singer-songwriter' (and failed Hollywood starlet it would seem) has just finished recording her first album - which is 'an album of cover versions'. Ha ha.
She was on BBC Radio Five Live the other morning, and basically admitted that she had no input regarding what she had been singing and recording - she was just asked to 'try this song' and that song. And then she recorded this. And then without her knowledge it was selected by the marketing company behind this commercial. And now she has an awful awful cover of a beautiful song, that is shamelessly being plugged even on the BBC where it was even tipped as a possible Xmas No.1.


Shi---ii--T.

If this gets to No.1 then my Smiths records might as well go to landfill.
 
Oh, yes those John Lewis free range pork chops look just yummy, especially next to the lobsters and the fillet steaks.
I look forward to next christmas with Morrissey dressed as a Turkey Twizzler dancing through the ailes of Iceland with Kerry Katona, singing "Meat is not really that bad anymore after I cashed the cheque".................Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerching!
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

All these complaints about Moz accepting the John Lewis shilling are nonsensical. He is a pop star, not martyr to 'the cause'. This is how he makes his living. So what if he is a hypocrite. He is compromising but to function in a market driven society we all compromise. Our cheap clothes are made with child labour, our mobile phones use vital mineral mined under dreadful conditions in East Africa and I'm sure there are many other examples. Ok, I can hear you say, 'but Morrissey makes such a big deal over meat!' True, but so what? Who are we to hold him to his word? I'm sure what he says and does has helped further the cause of vegitarianism. For this atleast we should be pleased. And it doesn't change the quality of his muse does it?
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

All these complaints about Moz accepting the John Lewis shilling are nonsensical. He is a pop star, not martyr to 'the cause'. This is how he makes his living. So what if he is a hypocrite. He is compromising but to function in a market driven society we all compromise. Our cheap clothes are made with child labour, our mobile phones use vital mineral mined under dreadful conditions in East Africa and I'm sure there are many other examples. Ok, I can hear you say, 'but Morrissey makes such a big deal over meat!' True, but so what? Who are we to hold him to his word? I'm sure what he says and does has helped further the cause of vegitarianism. For this atleast we should be pleased. And it doesn't change the quality of his muse does it?


Jesus Christ talk about blind loyalty( a common theme amongst the ever decreasing hardcore fans), one question you need to ask yourself before trying to shift the debate is this....does Morrissey need the money? I hazard to guess he doesn't, he's just being a greedy hypocritical bastard in my estimation. But like most of his lyrics , which now seem increasingly vacuous and meaningless, "ever felt had?"

Seems he's prepared to "suck on satan's cock" as Bill Hicks (R.I.P.) famously put it.
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

Jesus Christ talk about blind loyalty( a common theme amongst the ever decreasing hardcore fans), one question you need to ask yourself before trying to shift the debate is this....does Morrissey need the money? I hazard to guess he doesn't, he's just being a greedy hypocritical bastard in my estimation. But like most of his lyrics , which now seem increasingly vacuous and meaningless, "ever felt had?"

Seems he's prepared to "suck on satan's cock" as Bill Hicks (R.I.P.) famously put it.
I don't think I am expressing blind loyalty. I was trying to say that I didn't really have any expectations of him to begin with. It's his music I admire. It sounds to me like you had more investment in him than me. If he sells his music to John Lewis, why should I care? As I said, it's his job. I do not feel 'had', I was never taken in the first place. I assume that you were, and in that case I can understand why you feel angry. I would suggest you choose your heroes more carefully.
 
Great cover that works perfect with the ad and Millie who sings is part swedish and as you brits know we swedes dictate most things in Britain cause there are so few brits left that you turn to Sweden for the things you need help with.

The advert is like a Smiths video in itself from a childs perspective. I guess few if any Moz fans have kids and God forbid that they will ever have any. You're all bitter jus because the UK is now muslim and that sharia laws now dictate your everyday life.

Told you it would!

Urbanus 3 swedish crowns (The world ends in May 2012 when City win the league)
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

Great cover that works perfect with the ad and Millie who sings is part swedish and as you brits know we swedes dictate most things in Britain cause there are so few brits left that you turn to Sweden for the things you need help with.

The advert is like a Smiths video in itself from a childs perspective. I guess few if any Moz fans have kids and God forbid that they will ever have any. You're all bitter jus because the UK is now muslim and that sharia laws now dictate your everyday life.
Told you it would!

Urbanus 3 swedish crowns (The world ends in May 2012 when City win the league)
Hey Anonymous Swede, you have found us out. In addition to your fragile, beautific girl singer covering hoary old Brit hits and your crime novels and your bleak, moving films, I wish we could adopt your political system aswell.
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

Hey Anonymous Swede, you have found us out. In addition to your fragile, beautific girl singer covering hoary old Brit hits and your crime novels and your bleak, moving films, I wish we could adopt your political system aswell.

Well, the EDL are trying their best to go the same way as the swedish democrat party who dropped the skinheads and nazis and got into the swedish parliament.

On second thought I'd have preferred this song instead used to a little film where people shop in panic a day or two before xmas. I filmed these finnish gay boys in Sweden a few summers back and had a wee flirt and romance with the singer who is like a scandinavian blonde version of a young Moz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgb-5Fop4Bg

Urban in Sweden (Housing Julian Assange on his upcoming stay in Sweden)
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

I don't think I am expressing blind loyalty. I was trying to say that I didn't really have any expectations of him to begin with. It's his music I admire. It sounds to me like you had more investment in him than me. If he sells his music to John Lewis, why should I care? As I said, it's his job. I do not feel 'had', I was never taken in the first place. I assume that you were, and in that case I can understand why you feel angry. I would suggest you choose your heroes more carefully.


The central thrust of your position was some nonsense about Morrissey compromising. Yet again another die hard fan goes in all sorts of directions when defending him. I put it to you it had nothing to do with compromising, as he didn't need the money (no one surely is going to argue he needs the money!). But go ahead keep him in the luxury he has gotten used too and while your at it go buy something from John Lewis. The parody that is now Morrissey, one of life's crashing bores sucking on satans cock.
 
Re: Article: Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaig

The central thrust of your position was some nonsense about Morrissey compromising. Yet again another die hard fan goes in all sorts of directions when defending him. I put it to you it had nothing to do with compromising, as he didn't need the money (no one surely is going to argue he needs the money!). But go ahead keep him in the luxury he has gotten used too and while your at it go buy something from John Lewis. The parody that is now Morrissey, one of life's crashing bores sucking on satans cock.
OK, I'll give it another try. I said that I was not defending him because I had no expectations of him anyway. He's a pop star and he sold his song to John Lewis. So what? Who cares? This what they do, they make their money selling their music. Neither you or I know how rich he is and I don't think it makes any difference anyway.
Compromising means you traduce your morals for your own benefit. All I was saying is that we all do this. 'Sucking satans cock'? That's a bit strong.
Anyway, I don't expect you to understand as I havn't really said anything different to my initial post. I'm sorry you can't understand as I enjoy exchanging ideas.
 

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