Super Bowl Commercials Pay Off on Emerging Artists Chart
As expected, the Feb. 1 Super Bowl sparked major gains for Katy Perry and Missy Elliott, who turned exposure from the halftime show into song purchases. But, they (and the New England Patriots)…
As expected, the Feb. 1 Super Bowl sparked major gains for Katy Perry and Missy Elliott, who turned exposure from the halftime show into song purchases. But they (and the New England Patriots) weren’t the night’s only big winners. Three acts — Sleeping at Last, Marc Scibilia and Hundred Waters — break onto the Billboard + Twitter Emerging Artists chart and shine in the national spotlight thanks to memorable tunes in some of that evening’s biggest commercials.
Katy Perry & Missy Elliott See Super Sales Bump Thanks to Super Bowl
Sleeping at Last, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Sleeping at Last, consisting of sole member Ryan O’Neal, blasts onto the Billboard + Twitter Emerging Artists chart at No. 2 (and No. 12 on Hot Rock Songs) with his version of the classic Proclaimers track (first released in 1988; it rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993). O’Neal previously recorded “500 Miles” for an episode of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, and Budweiser producers asked him to rework it for their Super Bowl ad. Although the Proclaimers’ original is memorable for its bouncy rhythm and those heavy Scottish accents, O’Neal turned to the lyrics to inspire his poignant, wistful rendition. “If you just read the lyrics, you’ll see a sweet, meaningful love song,” O’Neal said in an interview with Billboard. “It was definitely a challenge to take a bit of gas out of such an energetic song, but I enjoyed wrestling with it and trying to make it my own.” Listeners also like O’Neal’s cover, which has collected more than 35,000 plays worldwide on YouTube since Jan. 31, according to Next Big Sound.
Following his Super Bowl exposure, O’Neal will return to work for the next installment of Atlas, his long-form music project. For its 2015 edition, O’Neal plans to release 24 tracks over the coming months.
Marc Scibilia, “This Land Is Your Land”
American folk-rock singer Marc Scibilia arrives at No. 17 on Emerging Artists with his variation on Woody Guthrie‘s iconic anthem, “This Land Is Your Land,” which was featured in Jeep’s Super Bowl ad. (Fun fact: Scibilia had to purchase a new television just to watch the spot air during the game.) When the Nashville musician was tasked with the recording, Scibilia says his research inspired him to highlight the spirit of Guthrie’s words. “It was conceived as a protest song originally, and I wanted to capture that beautiful and tragic spirit in which it was written,” Scibilia said in an interview with Billboard. “We made a few changes – even adding a minor chord. I’m crossing my fingers that, somewhere Woody, likes it.”
Whether Guthrie himself would approve we’ll never know (the folk icon died in 1967), but Scibilia can point to the new version’s 123,000 global YouTube views since Feb. 1 as a sign of listeners’ approval. In addition, several prominent musicians have rallied around his take on the American folk classic:
For Scibilia, the Super Bowl ad couldn’t have arrived with better timing, as the singer-songwriter plans to issue his next album in the spring. The set will be helmed by producer Butch Walker, whose producing credits include tracks on P!nk‘s The Truth About Love and Taylor Swift‘s Red.
Hundred Waters, “Show Me Love”
Hundred Waters enter Emerging Artists at No. 47 with “Show Me Love,” a bittersweet number showcased in Coca-Cola’s Super Bowl commercial. While most tracks from the four-member group combine elements of processed, electronic sound with newly-recorded instrumentation, “Love” boasts an entirely a capella performance. Vocalist Nicole Miglis mixes haunting lilts into the track as she pleas for compassion, “Don’t let me show cruelty / Though I may make mistakes / Don’t let me show ugliness / Though I know I can hate.” With its placement in the soft drink company’s ad, “Show” attracted a new crowd of listeners, who have viewed the clip’s official video more than 57,000 times worldwide on YouTube since Feb. 1. “Show” is from Hundred Waters’ latest album, The Moon Rang Like a Bell, released last May.
That’s Marc Scibilia singing This Land Is Your Land on the Jeep commercial! That kid is awesome! YouTube his single Wide Open Arms. Great!
— train (@train) February 2, 2015
@HillaryScottLA @marcscibilia was he the one singing in the jeep commercial? So beautiful! Loved it!
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 2, 2015