VOTD: Lakers and Nike Have Beatles Song Slaughtered By Andre 3000
By Seraphina L.
A new Nike Ad has appeared in support of the Lakers and it features no other song than the classic Beatles song, “All Together Now.” The only thing is, it isn’t actually the Beatles song but a cover of the song performed by Andre 3000 (aka 3 Stacks). Although we assume he only had good intentions for the ad (aside from making some extra cash), we’re not too happy with his rendition.
The song, “All Together Now,” written by mastermind songwriting duo Paul McCartney and John Lennon during the Magical Mystery Tour period but unreleased until the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, carried a light-hearted child-like vibe to it maintaining its focus on unity and peace. Andre 3000′s cover, however, is currently being used to highlight the accomplishments of Los Angeles’ Lakers. Don’t get us wrong, we’re fans of the rapper/singer’s work in both his solo work (Hello, “Heya!”) and with his group, Outkast, but the cover loses its credibility when the singing is replaced by unnecessary wailing and centered in competitive crowds cheering.
That’s just our opinion though. Take a listen to both below and decide for yourself! Does Andre 3000 do the song any justice? If you agree with us, should we blame the artist or Nike?
What do you think of Andre 3000′s cover of “All Together Now?”
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 3:10PM
I've watched the ad half a dozen times now, and the sense of childlike exuberance only increases each time. I think anyone who covers a Beatles song knows that there's the inherent risk of being easily dismissed, but I really like this ad, I really like the pairing of it with this song, and I think it works because of Andre's rendition, not in spite of it. There's an energy to it that's representative of his unique flavor (because really, there's nothing quite as offensive to a great song than a cover that simply imitates it without bringing a fresh point of view), and when paired with a legion of basketball greats celebrating the accomplishments of the reigning great (love him or hate him), it becomes infectiously fun. Watching the ad, I can't help but feel a little like watching a kid from my block take the courts and make amazing look easy. It's like stumbling into a dive bar and seeing a no-name band give everything to a deliriously adulating crowd that had never heard of them before their set. It's stopping amidst the adrenaline rush and realizing you're going to remember the moment forever. Everyone has something like that, when you stop caring where you are, or who you're with, or what you were planning on doing after; suddenly you're a kid again, reacting from your first and only instinct, to cheer for more.
It's pure, uncynical, genuine enthusiasm. That's what I get from the ad, and I think it largely works because of Andre's cover. For me, the song works.