This page attempts to list the various products or companies advertised using Jeff's songs. This list does not include film or television use of the songs, which is handled separately (and on a webpage yet to be designed).
For most of Jeff's professional career, it was not fashionable for rock musicians to sell their songs for advertising. Many fans and critics maligned the band's use of Hold On Tight in the Coffee Achievers ads in the early 1980s. By the late 1990s, the practice had become acceptable and Jeff's songs began appearing much more frequently in advertising campaigns in the 2000s. Jeff even went so far as to record a whole new version (or versions) of Mr. Blue Sky to be used for the 2003 Volkswagon Beetle convertible and Sears ad campaigns. Odds are good that there will be many more of Jeff's songs used to hawk wares in the future. Don't turn that dial!
If you see any errors or know of any songs used in advertising that are not listed on this page, please contact me at the address at the bottom of this page.
Robert Porter
July 2008
Artist Song Advertiser/Product Season Type Notes Electric Light Orchestra Telephone Line Woolworths (UK) 1978 TV Electric Light Orchestra Hold On Tight Coffee Achievers (USA) early 1980s TV & Radio Roy Orbison I Drove All Night Peugeot cars (UK) 1993 TV Christine Anu Livin' Thing New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (Australia) 2001 to ? TV This is not an ELO performance, but a cover version by Christine Anu. Roy Orbison You Got It Target department stores (USA) 2003 TV Six different remixes of the song were used. Jeff Lynne Mr. Blue Sky Volkswagon Beetle convertible (USA) 2003 TV This is a new recording by Jeff Lynne. Electric Light Orchestra Mr. Blue Sky Marks and Spencer women's clothing line (UK) Summer and fall 2005 TV Electric Light Orchestra Mr. Blue Sky Telia mobile (Denmark) 2005 TV Electric Light Orchestra Mr. Blue Sky France Telecom (France) Fall 2005 TV Uses the intro and first verse only. Electric Light Orchestra Do Ya Monster.com (USA) 2005/2006 TV & Radio Electric Light Orchestra Livin' Thing JC Penney department stores (USA) Christmas 2005 TV Jeff Lynne Mr. Blue Sky Sears department stores (USA) May to August 2007 TV This is a new recording by Jeff Lynne. The song was used in various TV ads, including some for Mother's Day, Father's Day and general appliance (refrigerators, washers, etc.) ads. Electric Light Orchestra Hold On Tight Honda Accord (USA) Late Summer to December 2007 TV Jeff Lynne Mr. Blue Sky Guinness (Ireland) Early 2008 TV This is a new recording by Jeff Lynne.
Again, if you know of any errors or omissions, please contact me at elofan@juno.com and let me know. I strive for accuracy.
Robert Porter
July 2008