Mahindra vs. The Cranberries vs. Filter vs. Laura Branigan vs. P.O.D.

@adrena asks via twitter “Hey… can you help me identify what this track sounds like, Thanks!”

Mahindra Live Young, Live Free - Full length film

I believe I can!

It’s a 2012 ad for Indian based auto company Mahindra called “Live Young, Live Free”. Currently with over 4 million views on YouTube it must have struck a chord with a lot of people.

I immediately heard some similarities and really wanted to see what these all sounded like together.

This is how I imagine the song writing went down.

“Start it off with that alt 90’s  Filter sound. Muddle it up a little with of that dubstep bass that the kids are listening to these days”

Filter - "Hey Man, Nice Shot" (1995)

“We need a good hook. Lets try something like that ‘Woaaah oh oh’ song by Laura Branigan from the 80s. Change one note so we don’t get sued.”

Laura Branigan - "You Take My Self Control" (1984)

“At around :50 we’ll get in to that Cranberries thing. It’s real emotional.”

The Cranberries - "Zombie" (1994)

Now put it all together!

UPDATE 2/7/2013:

Abhijit Shylanath notes in the comments below that “the beat+bass+guitar and chorus of kids reminds me of P.O.D.‘s ‘Youth of the Nation'” and I agree!

P.O.D. - "Youth of the Nation (Intro)" (2001)
P.O.D. - "Youth of the Nation (Chorus)" (2001)

Also, if you’re into the whole “Live Young, Live Free” thing you might also like

One Direction “Live While We’re Young” (2012) vs. The Clash – “Should I Stay or Should I Go” (1982)
https://www.thatsongsoundslike.com/2013/01/22/the-clash-vs-one-direction/

You can also live life to the fullest with Kesha:

Ke$ha – “Die Young” (2012) vs. Flo Rida – “Good Feeling” (2011) vs. Taio Cruz – “Dynamite” (2010)
https://www.thatsongsoundslike.com/2013/01/08/kesha-vs-flo-rida/

Life. The fun never ends! What about songs for old people?

Usher vs. GarageBand

Submitted by Alex

Usher vs. GarageBand on ThatSongSoundsLike.com

Busted! This is a pretty clear demo I found of how Usher and Polow da Don used stock GarageBand loops for the backing track on “Love in this Club” (2008). The “Remix Tools Jam Pack” which contains the add-on samples (“Euro Hero Synth 1”) was released in 2006.

‘Love In This Club Remade In Garageband” uploaded by enjoipandas

 

 

Beach House vs. Volkswagen

Beach House vs. Volkswagen

Here’s an interesting story my friend Kenny pointed out to me.

It’s not an uncommon practice for ad agencies to produce “sound-alike” music for their spots especially if the artist does not want to be involved. In this case the band Beach House felt their track “Take Care” (2010) was not relevant to the Volkswagen ad depicting a father raising his daughter until finally buying her a new VW. Here is some more reading and the ad below.

Wall Street Journal – Did an Indie Band Inspire a Volkswagen Ad?

NY Times – To Singers, Ad Sounds Too Familiar

Pitchfork – Beach House: Volkswagen “Cop Out Big Time” Over Soundalike Ad Controversy

Beach House “Take Care” (2010)

Beach House- Take Care- Music Video [OFFICIAL]

Volkswagen “VW Polo Dad” advertisement

Volkswagen Polo: Dad

Have any other examples of soundalike ads? Leave them in the comments below!