Ukulele in TV Commercials

DogBisquit

DogBisquit

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I've noticed a ton of ukulele music in current television commercials. I've been keeping notes over the last week, and here's what I've found:

Dell Inspiron
Flipped (the movie) - Angel Eyes cover
Best Buy - geek with every laptop
Hamburger Helper - bonus box tops
Subway - breakfast sandwich
Subaru Outback
Bounce fabric softener
Nutri-Grain bars

Has anyone heard anything else?
Anyone we know doing these backgrounds?
 
There's an ad for Cialis that shows an attractive woman playing the ukulele and singing, apparently in a state of joy because her husband is now "up" for romantic action. It's unclear however, if that's because of the medication or the ukulele. I know playing it always make me amorous. Perhaps, to rephrase Brian Ferry's song title, "Uke is the drug..."
 
"Uke Make Me Feel Brand New"
 
Great Minds - I was going to do a post like this and you beat me to it! The one I hear is "Hey Soul Sister" intro on the Samsung refridgerator commercials. They seem to be used in softer or home products, which makes sense. TV goes in cycles and once one person does something with success, everyone does it. A few years ago it was Marimba - I think it was influenced by the prominent marimba in the soundtrack of "World's Fastest Indian." Interesting stuff. Mike
 
There's also the Cotton commercial ("The fabric of our lives" song...) that features Colbie Caillat playing uke, even though it SHOWS her playing a guitar in the commercial. I'm pretty sure it's a uke I'm hearing though.
 
The one I notice all the time is for Dish Network. Have seen it twice so far tonight.
 
Last edited:
I was going to do a post like this too! I think you guys have mentioned all the ones I can think of off the top of my head, but I notice so much ukulele! I think it's because it brings that happy, light feel that's really good for commercials, especially soaps and things.
 
General Mills Cereal - Count Chocula, Franken Berry, Trix rabbit and ukulele? Seriously surreal.

Found this one online (i.e. - actively looking, as opposed to sitting on the couch letting the ukulele find me) from the UK for TrainLine.com
 
Here in the Kansas City area I've heard Bank of the West using an ukulele in their TV and radio ads. Well, to my completely novice ears it sounds like one at the beginning of the ad, but I haven't even bought my ukulele yet lol.
 
Excellent!~ I am glad to see that you've made a list. Ukes work well in advertising, don't they? Do you mind if I make use of the list you have compiled for a future blog?
 
It wasn't a TV commercial, but there's the theme song for Arrested Development.

[video=hulu;QRGeGLteU0PrMsM6JaylpA]http://www.hulu.com/watch/1222/arrested-development-title-sequence[/video]

Great show. Here's hoping the movie gets made.
 
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