The Super Bowl (or the Big Game – we don’t want to get sued!) is easily the most-viewed sporting event in America, and many watch equally for the ads. At $5 million per 30 second ad, there’s a lot at stake for anyone ponying up, and of course every commercial is going to be scrutinized. And with representation from System of a Down, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler in ads, it’s safe to say the ads rocked way more than the pretty lame halftime show. Here’s a recap of the more rockin’ ads what aired during Super Bowl 50:
The Secret Life of Pets uses System of a Down’s “Bounce”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/RMgJmsg8YmE[/youtube]
We’ve written about this before, when the trailer debuted online back in June of last year, but a poodle rocking out to “Bounce” on an iPhone as soon as it’s owners are away was the high point of the trailer. But given that the initial trailer was cut down to 30 seconds for last night’s ad, the fact that System made it into the game is pretty excellent.
Taco Bell’s Quesalupa ad uses Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/z_0T6OSh1DI[/youtube]
Well, this ad makes more sense expanded into a minute and a half from the 30 second one that ran last night. Taco Bell’s new Quesalupa is very of-the-moment, with everyone saying that Taco Bell’s new meat and cheese food delivery item is going to be bigger than something, starting off with the man bun, then moving onward and upward to internet memes including the Ancient Aliens host Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, hoverboards, and finally George Takei, who laughs entirely too long. Why is Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” in the ad? We’re not sure, but we’ll take it.
Skittles ad featuring Steven Tyler uses Aerosmith’s “Dream On”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/21ivbtgqJkg[/youtube]
Well, this commercial pretty much sucked. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who looks more like Jack Sparrow and talks more like Ned Flanders than ever before, it shown a portrait of him made entirely from Skittles. He challenges it to sing “Dream On,” asking him to get higher until the portrait explodes into a rainbow of Skittles. And much like a pile of Skittles on the ground, this ad’s pretty unappetizing all around.
Acura ad uses Van Halen’s “Running With the Devil”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/fM-vJNw6BGA[/youtube]
The Acura NSX was badass enough back in the day (remember the Wolf in Pulp Fiction?), and now that it’s coming back, they used the isolated vocals from Van Halen’s “Running With the Devil” that the internet has been having fun with for some time before having the song come in at the end. Given what Roth sounds like now and the contentious relationship the band has had with their current (and former) lead singer, it’s cool that they licensed this, and it’s a lot of fun.
