Comments on: “I’d like to teach the world to sing….” http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing News & Opinion from Las Vegas, Nevada Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:49:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jaytee http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1251 Jaytee Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:10:16 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1251 Thelma, you're frightening me! More cynical than VV? Well, maybe, but either way, I'm sure he'd agree with me that it isn't so much cynicism, as clarity of thought. Things is as they is, and we, unlike our more liberal counterparts out there, have no problem facing the truth! I, too, hope that one day, we can indeed all get along. Even with Rodney! And shouldn't we all be doing it not with regular, but with Diet Coke in our hands? Think of the children! Thelma, you’re frightening me! More cynical than VV? Well, maybe, but either way, I’m sure he’d agree with me that it isn’t so much cynicism, as clarity of thought. Things is as they is, and we, unlike our more liberal counterparts out there, have no problem facing the truth! I, too, hope that one day, we can indeed all get along. Even with Rodney!

And shouldn’t we all be doing it not with regular, but with Diet Coke in our hands? Think of the children!

]]> By: Jaytee http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1250 Jaytee Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:06:38 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1250 VV, what can I say? Like our liberal brothers, sometimes I'm just a dreamer . . . . Let me emphasize that while I may not be as approving of the commercial as you and Thelma are, it's a solid part of my fondly-remembered TV memories, too! Right up there with "Oh, Fab, I'm glad, there's lemon-freshened Borax in you!" (That ring any bells, Thelma?) Speaking of subtext, those were the good ol' days, brother, when we Americans had no use for subtext. Everything was -- at least up to that historical turning point -- going our way. It was our world, and everybody else just had the good luck to live in it. I think the original commercial just sort of matter-of-factly reflects that. But I think that American hegemony is still maintained in a subtler fashion in the new version, too. The original commercial really concentrated on displaying the amazing variety of appearance and dress to be found in the world. The camera pans from person to person giving you a good and respectful look at each earnest singer's face and clothes; in this version, everybody's pretty much in casual Western drag, swarming all over the screen. The camera only briefly catches faces. This time, the beautiful diversity is given short shrift. It's no coincidence that that Village of the Damned escapee lingers so on the mind. Note also how, for example, the black woman in the African garb (about 46 seconds in), sings with an American gospel flourish, rather than an African one, as you would expect her to. The message is, it's still an American world, we're just not so obvious about it anymore. Out of respect for diversity, of course. I'd also like to point to the final American hubris of the commercial, the claims of final crawl. Twenty years ago,those young people didn't teach the world to sing; the only sincerely expressed the hope that they could. Would anyone suggest that at any point thereafter up to today, the world ever "sang in perfect harmony"? No, I have affection and respect for the original, but I give a big thumbs down to the new one! VV, what can I say? Like our liberal brothers, sometimes I’m just a dreamer . . . .

Let me emphasize that while I may not be as approving of the commercial as you and Thelma are, it’s a solid part of my fondly-remembered TV memories, too! Right up there with “Oh, Fab, I’m glad, there’s lemon-freshened Borax in you!” (That ring any bells, Thelma?)

Speaking of subtext, those were the good ol’ days, brother, when we Americans had no use for subtext. Everything was — at least up to that historical turning point — going our way. It was our world, and everybody else just had the good luck to live in it. I think the original commercial just sort of matter-of-factly reflects that. But I think that American hegemony is still maintained in a subtler fashion in the new version, too.

The original commercial really concentrated on displaying the amazing variety of appearance and dress to be found in the world. The camera pans from person to person giving you a good and respectful look at each earnest singer’s face and clothes; in this version, everybody’s pretty much in casual Western drag, swarming all over the screen. The camera only briefly catches faces. This time, the beautiful diversity is given short shrift. It’s no coincidence that that Village of the Damned escapee lingers so on the mind. Note also how, for example, the black woman in the African garb (about 46 seconds in), sings with an American gospel flourish, rather than an African one, as you would expect her to. The message is, it’s still an American world, we’re just not so obvious about it anymore. Out of respect for diversity, of course.

I’d also like to point to the final American hubris of the commercial, the claims of final crawl. Twenty years ago,those young people didn’t teach the world to sing; the only sincerely expressed the hope that they could. Would anyone suggest that at any point thereafter up to today, the world ever “sang in perfect harmony”?

No, I have affection and respect for the original, but I give a big thumbs down to the new one!

]]> By: Thelma http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1239 Thelma Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:22:02 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1239 Oh, Jaytee, you had me in stitches with your Stepford Wives comment. But you're, dare I say it, more cynical than VV. Me, being older than both of you, still want to believe that we can "all get along." (minus Rodney) And no, it ain't oranges or milk (which is laden with milk fat!) that are being $hilled, but soda pop! What could be more fun-lovin'? And I for one, like the transition from solemn to self-congratulatory. To me, it shows that growing up in America has given this bunch the freedom to make choices that work for them....soda in hand! Great, thought-provoking posts though. Oh, Jaytee, you had me in stitches with your Stepford Wives comment. But you’re, dare I say it, more cynical than VV.

Me, being older than both of you, still want to believe that we can “all get along.” (minus Rodney) And no, it ain’t oranges or milk (which is laden with milk fat!) that are being $hilled, but soda pop! What could be more fun-lovin’?

And I for one, like the transition from solemn to self-congratulatory. To me, it shows that growing up in America has given this bunch the freedom to make choices that work for them….soda in hand!

Great, thought-provoking posts though.

]]> By: Vinnie Vegas http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1236 Vinnie Vegas Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:17:47 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1236 Jaytee, Well, I can get all sentimental but in the end, I'm good old VV, and we know there's only so far I can take that! I do like both commercials, because they basically remind me of my own personal better time. Inexorably linked to a time when the biggest challenge was an upcoming spelling test, and my biggest problem was tracking down a couple of baseball cards I needed. At that time, the original commercial was on tv. So I naturally link the two. I can see how it could be mildly creepy, though. I think it's elevated on the strength of the song, which is a classic and one that's difficult to dislike, even for a younger curmudgeon like me. Ultimately you're right, and it's a sentiment in my follow up comment, that this is really just a commercial $hilling for a soda. Not Florida oranges, milk, or something with some kind of benefit. They are getting all misty eyed over a soda. It's downright strange. And crassly commercial, but of course it is by definition a commercial. It was made at a time when people really wanted a pleasant, hippy dippy image and song, and it delivered. The escapee from the Village of The Damned does creep me out. And I agree with your cynical observations. There is something very American about the whole thing. Yes, it's people from around the world, and yes they are on a hill in Italy. But it's unmistakable - the nutty world's nuttiness can be muted if they would just follow the leader. And that's the USA. Did they intend the subtext to be a case for the Pax Americana? Doubtful. Did people who saw the commercial back then and responded strongly get the subtext? I doubt it, too. And that's a great distinction you raise with the commercials in important. The original is joyful but serious, the anniversary is self congratulatory. Your vision for a proposed 20th Anniversary commercial would have been powerful. Jaytee,

Well, I can get all sentimental but in the end, I’m good old VV, and we know there’s only so far I can take that!

I do like both commercials, because they basically remind me of my own personal better time. Inexorably linked to a time when the biggest challenge was an upcoming spelling test, and my biggest problem was tracking down a couple of baseball cards I needed. At that time, the original commercial was on tv. So I naturally link the two.

I can see how it could be mildly creepy, though. I think it’s elevated on the strength of the song, which is a classic and one that’s difficult to dislike, even for a younger curmudgeon like me.

Ultimately you’re right, and it’s a sentiment in my follow up comment, that this is really just a commercial $hilling for a soda. Not Florida oranges, milk, or something with some kind of benefit. They are getting all misty eyed over a soda. It’s downright strange. And crassly commercial, but of course it is by definition a commercial.

It was made at a time when people really wanted a pleasant, hippy dippy image and song, and it delivered.

The escapee from the Village of The Damned does creep me out.

And I agree with your cynical observations. There is something very American about the whole thing. Yes, it’s people from around the world, and yes they are on a hill in Italy. But it’s unmistakable – the nutty world’s nuttiness can be muted if they would just follow the leader. And that’s the USA. Did they intend the subtext to be a case for the Pax Americana? Doubtful. Did people who saw the commercial back then and responded strongly get the subtext? I doubt it, too.

And that’s a great distinction you raise with the commercials in important. The original is joyful but serious, the anniversary is self congratulatory. Your vision for a proposed 20th Anniversary commercial would have been powerful.

]]> By: Vinnie Vegas http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1235 Vinnie Vegas Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:02:24 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1235 Thelma, Congrats for being 2008's first poster! ;-) Thelma,

Congrats for being 2008′s first poster! ;-)

]]> By: Jaytee http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1233 Jaytee Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:03:20 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1233 VV, I have to say I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I read your followup comment above! Unlike you and Thelma, that commercial always gave me the creeps. Something very Stepford Wives about it. (I switched permanently to RC Cola after seeing it!) One world, united under Coke. It always struck me as the height of cynical manipulation. And let us remember this was at a time when the world, this country, was anything but harmonious and peaceful, so it's hope for peace through simple commercialism seemed too precious to be believeable. Still, it was a comforting and hopeful thing to see this fantasy made flesh, this hope for community and harmony made real, if only to sell soda pop for a few seconds. And even a Doubting Thomas like me can't resist that song. (At least companies took the care and trouble to write actual, memorable jingles back then!) I agree with your cynical observations; let me add these. That old commercial really did represent our old way of thinking, and to a few true believers, still does: a world very diverse, but united by and under an American imprimatur. All are welcome on that hilltop -- but only with a Coke in your hand, and that song on your lips. The new commercial speaks our new language and attitude: everybody's prosperous, noisily milling around, all traces of earnest solemnity gone, proudly congratulating and celebrating themselves, and their separate visions of Coke. Most disturbingly, what made the first commercial so appealing was totally absent from this one: a feeling of hope. How much more eloquent, affecting -- and from an advertiser's point of view -- memorable this commercial would have been had they simply recreated the original -- everyone older, wiser, but still filled with good will and hope. Now, of course, our concept of diversity being what it is, we would never be so presumptuous as to present so American a vision of peace. Now, we'd probably have to include a few shots of Islamists spitting their Coke out in disgust! VV, I have to say I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I read your followup comment above!

Unlike you and Thelma, that commercial always gave me the creeps. Something very Stepford Wives about it. (I switched permanently to RC Cola after seeing it!) One world, united under Coke. It always struck me as the height of cynical manipulation. And let us remember this was at a time when the world, this country, was anything but harmonious and peaceful, so it’s hope for peace through simple commercialism seemed too precious to be believeable. Still, it was a comforting and hopeful thing to see this fantasy made flesh, this hope for community and harmony made real, if only to sell soda pop for a few seconds. And even a Doubting Thomas like me can’t resist that song. (At least companies took the care and trouble to write actual, memorable jingles back then!)

I agree with your cynical observations; let me add these. That old commercial really did represent our old way of thinking, and to a few true believers, still does: a world very diverse, but united by and under an American imprimatur. All are welcome on that hilltop — but only with a Coke in your hand, and that song on your lips. The new commercial speaks our new language and attitude: everybody’s prosperous, noisily milling around, all traces of earnest solemnity gone, proudly congratulating and celebrating themselves, and their separate visions of Coke. Most disturbingly, what made the first commercial so appealing was totally absent from this one: a feeling of hope. How much more eloquent, affecting — and from an advertiser’s point of view — memorable this commercial would have been had they simply recreated the original — everyone older, wiser, but still filled with good will and hope.

Now, of course, our concept of diversity being what it is, we would never be so presumptuous as to present so American a vision of peace. Now, we’d probably have to include a few shots of Islamists spitting their Coke out in disgust!

]]> By: Thelma http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1224 Thelma Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:47:17 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1224 Let me be the first one to post here this year. Happy 2008! Let me be the first one to post here this year.

Happy 2008!

]]> By: Vinnie Vegas http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1213 Vinnie Vegas Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:49:48 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1213 Thelma, Yes the original and the 20th anniversary commercials are both classics in my book. Very well done - they didn't overdo or overstate anything. And like I wrote, it pushes all the right buttons. Well, also don't forget that the woman at the beginning IS acting after all. Still, I'm sure she was recognized a lot in the 70s, so I am sure it is a legitimate fond memory for her. As for the woman prominent at the end of both ads, when I first saw the anniversary ad I remembered the original and said it had to be here, basically in the same spot of the commercial, but I couldn't remember what the looked like that well in 1971. Watching them again recently, I wasn't sure but like I said, her mouth and teeth are pretty compelling evidence that it is her. A very nice touch among many nice touches. Exporting Coke to the Mid-East would be naked western economic imperialism. They won't take kindly to their teeth and bodies being poisoned - they may hate us even more! If there was a way to unwind those tightly wound, perpetually angry people, I'd be all for it. As for my mean spirited comments, well you know I'm a mean man. There is only so sweet and sentimental good old VV can be! Gotta' admit, that wisecrack about The Village of the Damned was funny! :-) Happy New Year to you, and God bless you and your loved ones! VV Thelma,

Yes the original and the 20th anniversary commercials are both classics in my book. Very well done – they didn’t overdo or overstate anything. And like I wrote, it pushes all the right buttons.

Well, also don’t forget that the woman at the beginning IS acting after all. Still, I’m sure she was recognized a lot in the 70s, so I am sure it is a legitimate fond memory for her.

As for the woman prominent at the end of both ads, when I first saw the anniversary ad I remembered the original and said it had to be here, basically in the same spot of the commercial, but I couldn’t remember what the looked like that well in 1971. Watching them again recently, I wasn’t sure but like I said, her mouth and teeth are pretty compelling evidence that it is her. A very nice touch among many nice touches.

Exporting Coke to the Mid-East would be naked western economic imperialism. They won’t take kindly to their teeth and bodies being poisoned – they may hate us even more! If there was a way to unwind those tightly wound, perpetually angry people, I’d be all for it.

As for my mean spirited comments, well you know I’m a mean man. There is only so sweet and sentimental good old VV can be!

Gotta’ admit, that wisecrack about The Village of the Damned was funny! :-)

Happy New Year to you, and God bless you and your loved ones!

VV

]]> By: Thelma http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1210 Thelma Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:31:19 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1210 You know, it might not be a bad idea to bring some Coke to the Middle East. In fact, they should drop it by the case. Might make those SOBs happier people. As for the rest of your comments: LA LA LA LA LA....I CAN'T HEAR YOU! (covering ears) I don't want you to blow my bubble. Feh! You know, it might not be a bad idea to bring some Coke to the Middle East. In fact, they should drop it by the case. Might make those SOBs happier people.

As for the rest of your comments: LA LA LA LA LA….I CAN’T HEAR YOU! (covering ears) I don’t want you to blow my bubble. Feh!

]]> By: Thelma http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1206 Thelma Sun, 30 Dec 2007 03:42:29 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1206 Yes, I believe it IS the same woman! Yes, I believe it IS the same woman!

]]> By: Thelma http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1205 Thelma Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:11:04 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1205 Nostalgia indeed! What a wonderful way to close the year! This is one of my all-time favorite TV commercials. Pure genius! I will have to watch a few more times to see if I can match the lady you mentioned. And I sure do hope they cart these folks out again for a 40th reunion. In regards to the woman who was moved about the commercial she had done earlier, perhaps that was her only claim to fame. Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you, too, Mr. VV! Nostalgia indeed! What a wonderful way to close the year! This is one of my all-time favorite TV commercials. Pure genius!

I will have to watch a few more times to see if I can match the lady you mentioned. And I sure do hope they cart these folks out again for a 40th reunion.

In regards to the woman who was moved about the commercial she had done earlier, perhaps that was her only claim to fame.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you, too, Mr. VV!

]]> By: Vinnie Vegas http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/television/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/comment-page-1#comment-1202 Vinnie Vegas Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:45:08 +0000 http://silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/2007/12/29/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing/#comment-1202 OK, you knew it couldn't last. I am back to my senses. Probably the most obnoxious thing about the 20th Anniversary commercial is that the woman in the beginning acts so moved and sentimental about a television commercial she did 20 years ago. They probably weren't even really singing. There probably wasn't even any sound recorded on location. She was $hilling for a soda pop - they all were. Big deal. Rots and discolors teeth. Contains way too much sugar. Has absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever. And yet, it's treated like some kind of big step in world peace. The original commercial does have some very pretty 70s babes in it, and it's well known I like 60s and 70s babes best. It's a great look - natural, fresh, pretty, and sweet. Modern era woman by and large just can't pull it off. But for some reason these folks seem to think that buying a coke for some desperate nutjob halfway around the world will soften him. Nothing could be further from the truth - they will hate them more for giving them the soda! It's a clear sign of Western economic imperialism. And it's unhealthy. What's so sweet and hippy-dippy about that? In the 20th Anniversary commercial, look quick at the 30 second mark - looks like one of The Village of the Damned wandered on the set! Also, in the original commercial the young folks are happy and smiling, but fairly serious, like it's a joyful hymn. The oldies in the 20th Anniversary commercial are just having too good a time. Dancing around, cheering, and evidently thrilled over a bottle of coca cola. Weird. And lets be fair - they sing a mean game, but 20 years later, you know many of those folks cheat on their taxes, lie to their loved ones, go faster than the posted speed limit, and all sorts of other rotten things. And it's 17 years later - I'm sure many of those cheery kids grew up to be malcontents and degenerates. Just putting things in context! On a serious note, when I first saw the ad I wondered if the woman prominent towards the end of the 20th Anniversary commercial (47 second mark) was the same woman prominent towards the end of the original commercial (44 second mark). My memory of the original wasn't that good and she sure looks different. Now, years later I can look at both closely and am very confident it's her. Same mouth and teeth, though her hair is lighter. Just something that's been nagging me for a while! So do you think they will cart these folks out for a 40th Anniversary commercial? OK, you knew it couldn’t last. I am back to my senses.

Probably the most obnoxious thing about the 20th Anniversary commercial is that the woman in the beginning acts so moved and sentimental about a television commercial she did 20 years ago. They probably weren’t even really singing. There probably wasn’t even any sound recorded on location.

She was $hilling for a soda pop – they all were. Big deal. Rots and discolors teeth. Contains way too much sugar. Has absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever. And yet, it’s treated like some kind of big step in world peace.

The original commercial does have some very pretty 70s babes in it, and it’s well known I like 60s and 70s babes best. It’s a great look – natural, fresh, pretty, and sweet. Modern era woman by and large just can’t pull it off.

But for some reason these folks seem to think that buying a coke for some desperate nutjob halfway around the world will soften him. Nothing could be further from the truth – they will hate them more for giving them the soda! It’s a clear sign of Western economic imperialism. And it’s unhealthy. What’s so sweet and hippy-dippy about that?

In the 20th Anniversary commercial, look quick at the 30 second mark – looks like one of The Village of the Damned wandered on the set!

Also, in the original commercial the young folks are happy and smiling, but fairly serious, like it’s a joyful hymn. The oldies in the 20th Anniversary commercial are just having too good a time. Dancing around, cheering, and evidently thrilled over a bottle of coca cola. Weird.

And lets be fair – they sing a mean game, but 20 years later, you know many of those folks cheat on their taxes, lie to their loved ones, go faster than the posted speed limit, and all sorts of other rotten things. And it’s 17 years later – I’m sure many of those cheery kids grew up to be malcontents and degenerates.

Just putting things in context!

On a serious note, when I first saw the ad I wondered if the woman prominent towards the end of the 20th Anniversary commercial (47 second mark) was the same woman prominent towards the end of the original commercial (44 second mark). My memory of the original wasn’t that good and she sure looks different. Now, years later I can look at both closely and am very confident it’s her. Same mouth and teeth, though her hair is lighter.

Just something that’s been nagging me for a while!

So do you think they will cart these folks out for a 40th Anniversary commercial?

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