Lifehouse Goes Commercial

By J.D. McNamara: 2007-10-28 14:23:16

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s a band selling out and allowing their beloved songs to be featured in a commercial. So what do I think about Lifehouse’s recent decision to make a song specifically for an Allstate Insurance commercial? While I can’t exactly call it selling out, I think it’s a good indication of how stagnant they must be. It’s like Martin Scorsese directing a Bud Light commercial because he’s got nothing better to do – it’s just strange.

The new tune, "From Where You Are," will be featured as part of Allstate's Teen Safe Driving campaign. According to Billboard, the commercial will depict teens in a variety of different situations until the end, when the voice of actor Dennis Haysbert delivers the sobering message that "every year, nearly 6,000 teenagers go out for a drive ... and never come back."

"When you think commercial, you think Hallmark commercial, something cheesy," Wade tells Billboard. "But this was something I thought was a really good statement and I wanted to be part of. I knew I would be able to write something for it."

I’m all for supporting the heavy-handed cause, but in the end, it’s still an insurance company commercial. I’d much rather see Lifehouse put out a heavy handed album full of life and emotion than do a commercial that’ll undoubtedly wither away behind Allstate’s banner and the deeply presidential voice of Haysbert.

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Lauren Wood
October 29, 2007 at 12:37

Lifehouse is probably the most genuine and sincere band out there. Anyone who has a problem with them writing a song for something like this doesn't know enough about Lifehouse to comment. Geez.

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Maureen
October 29, 2007 at 02:18

In response to captain caveman...what an appropriate name.

Are you serious?

"Driving in a dangerous and reckless fashion is what being a teenager is all about. Shame on Lifehouse for trying to take that away from America's youth."

Try telling that to a parent who's child was killed in a car crash. "Sorry, Sir, but driving in a dangerous and reckless fashion is what being a teenager is all about. So, it was bound to happen." That's the biggest bull shit I've ever heard. Why not get behind breast cancer or AIDS? Because, like you said, everyone and their mother's do. There are many organizations that sponser getting help for those diseases, but this is really one of the only ones I've heard of to help kids and their parents aware of dangers on the road. Whenever an artist does a cause for good, it's never selling out. He did it because they specifically asked him, and he felt strongly about the cause. Selling out would be doing a beer or clothing commercial.

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Captain Caveman
October 28, 2007 at 20:59

Driving in a dangerous and reckless fashion is what being a teenager is all about. Shame on Lifehouse for trying to take that away from America's youth.

Seriously, if you're so into supporting a cause and not doing it for the money then how about getting behind something worthwhile. Breast cancer maybe? Rockers love that one. Aids awareness? Let's not kid ourselves here. It's a commercial. They sold out. Own it.

I respect the artist who knowingly sells out. Everybody has to make a living. I hate the musician who sells out and then tries to bullshit the world by pretending he's not really selling out he's supporting a worth cause. Sell out, but be honest about it.

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Jade
October 28, 2007 at 20:29

Trust me, if there's a need for criticism on anything the band has done, trust me when I say a lot of us have literally been there telling them to their faces--I tell you this just so you don't think I'm a fan following them blindly.

Jason was given the opportunity to do this--he chose to because he felt strongly about the message, and had a personal connection. Do you really think he could write such a heartfelt song if it were all for money? Trust me, if Jason was in anything for a commercial aspect, they wouldn't make some of the choices they've made on songs to include on albums and 'single' choices...

So why don't you look at it as him doing this DESPITE the fact that it's for an insurance company.

Personally I'm proud that he chose to be a part of getting out a message like this.

Have you seen the commercial? It's incredibly moving.

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Barb Reese
October 28, 2007 at 17:00

I think Jason Wade considers it an honor when someone asks him to write for them. I also know he believes in what Allstate is trying to do and wants to be a part of it. Your criticism is a bit weird in my opinion.

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