Best Music from TV Commercials 2008

So, as a mother I've learned it's very hard to keep up with music. Most of 2008 I missed, with the lovely exception of music in commercials. So, to make it easier on all of the busy moms out there, here is your neat little guide to all the great music you've been hearing while cleaning/sewing/working/diapering. It's not hard to be cool anymore, just watch TV.

Apple

Long list here, no surprise. Didn't Apple start this whole good music in a commercial trend?

The Submarines - You Me & The Bourgeoisie

Wolfmother - Love Train

Steriogram - Walkie Talkie

Yael Naim - New Soul

Orba Squara - Perfect Timing This Morning

Audi

Simone White - The Beep Beep Song

Axe Deodorant and Body Spray

Yeah, I know. Puke. But I like the commercial and the song.

Allen Toussaint - Sweet Touch of Love

Bounce

Almost makes me want to do laundry. Almost. Those who know me know, I am addicted to Downy, so this song was hard to love, but it's stuck.

Emilie Mover - Ordinary Day

Cotton

Scandal - Goodbye to You

Dell

You've been looking for this one, trust me.

Kira Willey - Colors

Everybody and their Dog

Meaning these songs are ALL over the place.

Five for FIghting - World

Duffy - Mercy

Lenka - The Show

Geico

Seriously, enough with the cavemen, but thanks for the music.

The Sounds - Hurt You

Royksopp - Reminder

HBO

Soprano's Box set, almost makes me want to watch it. Almost. I'm not really into violence or blood and something tells me the Soprano's is nothing but, am I right? Love the song.

R.L. Burnside - It's Bad You Know

Honda Civic

I saw Grandaddy in Kentucky, they opened for Elliott Smith and we missed the whole show waiting outside. Just before we got in out walked the lead singer with a white cat. Odd man, great music.

Grandaddy - Nature Anthem

JC Penney

1st one is a remake, please don't be offended, it's beautiful

Josh Radin - Only You

Regina Spektor - Music Box

Jet Dry

Oooo, love this one.

Gotan Project - Epoca

Kia

Most days are a Joe Purdy day around here. Thanks for putting it to music and thanks Kia for giving it to me.

Arryn Eldon - Get the Feeling

Joe Purdy - Can't Get it Right Today

Kohl's

Ben Lee - We're All In This Together

Lifetime

Maybe? It's from the new Heather Locklear movie, Flirting with Forty.

Adele - Chasing Pavements

Marriott

Honestly I don't remember this commercial, but I'm including it here because the song reminds me of middle school dances where nobody was allowed to touch!

Junior Boys - In the Morning

Nivea

Chrisette Michele - Love Is You

Duffy - Oh Boy

Old Navy

Yeah, cause I need another sweater. Thing is, I don't, until I hear one of these songs!

Lights - Last Thing on Your Mind

Lights - February Air

Samsung

Need a new workout tune?

The Blue Van - Silly Boy

Sears

This commercial is a little newer, so you may not have heard it. Addictive nonetheless.

The Silver Seas - Imaginary Girl

Sprint

Remember the commercial with the funky laser lights? Yes, you do.

Architecture in Helsinki -Souvenirs

Target

I think I'm going to make a mix CD of every song Target has ever featured.

Tim Myers - A Beautiful World

The Kinks - Everybody's a Star (Starmaker)

Badly Drawn Boy - All Possibilities

The 88 - Coming Home

The Concretes - Say Something

The Icicles - La Ti Da

Tide with Downy

Cait La Dee - Take Me Home

TLC

From the family night promo, I think.

Fisher - Beautiful Life

Volkswagon

I think this was from another country, but it's Wilco and if you don't already love Wilco now is a good time to start.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Zune

The Helio Sequence - Don't Look Away

And my favorite, probably not from this year but deserves a note since I adore it: Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John

Best Music from TV Shows 2008

There's a new trend in the closing credits on TV shows lately, "tonight's show featured music from...." with a handy sponsor to help you find the music that fit so perfectly into the scene that made you cry. I don't know about you, but I rarely remember to look it up or even write it down. So, here is a handy dandy of the music I liked the best in 2008 on television. Good or bad, most shows are an easy way to find a new song to cry laugh or dance to.

90210

I saw the first episode but never made it to the second. With so many shows doing their best to copy what 90210 was, it's odd the original has had a hard time finding steady footing.

Beat Control - Tilly and the Wall

I Always Knew - Jem

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Now - Mates of State

Army Wives

I haven't seen the show yet but always mean to start watching when I see a promo!

Nowhere to Now-here - The Kin

Blue Mind - Alexi Murdoch

I Believe in You - Cat Power

Healing Hands - Marc Cohn

Brothers & Sisters

Good show, short on good music, but here are a few.

Stolen Car - Beth Orton

Make it Mine - Jason Mraz

Slow Moves - Jose Gonzalez

Fragment - Trespassers William

Chuck

I am so desperately in love with Chuck, not just the show, Chuck himself. The Bon Iver song listed here is like a drug. Too much and you'll never stop crying your eyes out, be careful.

Skinny Love - Bon Iver

Returning to the Fold - The Thermals

The Kooks - Love It All

Fake Empire - The National

Time and Space - The Accidental

Buildings and Mountains - The Republic Tigers

Don't Worry - Love as Laughter

Grey's Anatomy

Of course the show that borrows its episode titles is full of great music.

Pitter-Pat - Erin McCarley

One of Those Days - Joshua Radin

Ordinary Day - Emilie Mover

Live Like You're Dying - Lenka

Walcott - Vampire Weekend

Falling for You - Seabird

Winter Birds - Ray LaMontagne

Gossip Girl

Totally stupid great show for teens, but if I had a teen there is no way I'd let him/her anywhere near this show. Good place for new music, almost as good as it's distant cousin The OC. I cannot stop listening to My Only Offer...

Strict Machine - Goldfrapp

Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol

Tell Me a Lie -The Fratellis

The Wake Up Song - The Submarines

Dark on Fire -Turin Brakes

Closer - Kings of Leon

My Only Offer - Mates of State

Slow Show - The National

House

Never watched House, but a good place for a few good tunes anyhow.

You Might Die Trying - Dave Matthews Band

Could We Survive - Joseph Arthur

Dark Road - Annie Lennox

Private Practice

Three good songs, from the whole season. I am not sure what the thinking on music is here…mostly very outdated.

On and On and On - Wilco

Little Tornado - Aimee Mann

Swing Gently - Leona Naess

Scrubs 

I find it odd I don't watch Scrubs, there is not a TV show more in sync with my music tastes, yet here we are starting season 8 (?) soon and I am totally unfamiliar. Zach Braff's best talent is not his acting, it's the music he picks for the show. Do not miss Jose Gonzalez and Jump Little Children, swoon!

Where We Gonna Go From Here - Mat Kearney

Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez

Opportunity - Pete Murray

The Man - Pete Yorn

B-13 - Jump Little Children

Missed the Boat - Modest Mouse

Turn - Travis

Winter - Joshua Radin

Courage - Glenn Phillips

Ugly Betty

The most familiar song here, The Show by Lenka. I think every show used it in their episode or promo this fall!

American Girl - Val Emmich

American Girl - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Lost - Coldplay

You are Free - Mates of State

The Show - Lenka

Up - The Saturdays

She's So Lovely - Scouting for Girls

FAVORITE STAFF PICK’S FROM 2008

Here are the Staff Pick’s that stuck with me and have become permanent fixtures in my “most played” list.

Josh Kelley, Special Company

Kelley’s album was released shortly after his wedding to Grey’s Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl (the namesake for the song Hey Katie) and it’s clear that these songs were written by a man in love. Listening to Two Cups of Coffee, Tidal Wave, Special Company and Stay Awake will remind you of the early years of love when your thoughts where consumed by the man of your dreams. (Oh, we know he’s still in there…don’t be surprised if a few of these songs bring him back to the top of your list.)

Tristan Prettyman, Hello

My motherhood addled brain rarely holds onto information that I’ve heard 3 or 4 times…let alone something I’ve heard only once. While up with the babe in the wee hours of the morning, I caught a music video by Tristan Prettyman. When I found myself walking through the house later that day singing the chorus to Madly, I knew I was hooked. I’m not going to even bother with listing my favorite tracks – they’re all good.

James Morrison, Undiscovered

Undiscovered by James Morrison is upbeat enough to keep me energized yet smooth enough to listen to all day. Morrison’s singing is soulful and rich…the lyrics thoughtful. My favorite songs on this album are Under the Influence, You Give Me Something, Wonderful World, One Last Chance, Undiscovered and Call the Police.

Morrison has just released his 2nd album (Songs For You, Truths For Me) so if you listen to Undiscovered (his 1st album) and your simply must have more well then, hey, lucky you. Sometimes it pays to come late to the party.

Happy Listening!

-Emily & Erin