Google Pixel 8 Commercial – The Music, The Sweater, and the Phone

Hello and thanks for finding my post today. I post every day at 1pm central about all kinds of things, but especially Popular TV Ads. Today features a commercial from Google advertising the Pixel 8. Check it out then scroll down for the music, the sweater, and more.

The Music. The song backing the ad is called “Zoom” by Friend of Friend featuring Daisha McBride. Here’s the full track…

Sweater Weather. I can’t really claim any glory for finding out more about this sweater. A YouTube comment from @Hello.Ashleigh deserves all the credit. Well, some of the credit. Alpacas deserve most of the credit since it’s their wool to begin with! Anywho, the sweater the dude is wearing in the very first shot is from Brain-Dead. It’ll set you back $280. Check it out on the Brain-Dead website.

The Actual Phone. When I was looking for phones last year, I held a Google Pixel in my hands and one aspect stuck out like a sore thumb. What’s with the raised surface on the back where the camera is? For that reason alone, I’ll never get a Pixel phone. Instead I went with the Flip 4 and I’ve loved it.

-Out of the Wilderness

I wish these songs were Christmas classics

I don’t think there’s any time of the year when Christmas music isn’t suitable. If you’re in the mood for the cheery holiday music, I say go for it! Even if it’s July. Last week, I opened up my Spotify Christmas 2023 playlist and listened to some favorites. Lots of classics and some that definitely should be classics. Here’s my current list…

Here are a few original songs (meaning: not modern covers of old songs) that I very much wish would become Christmas classics.

“Hallelujah This Christmas” Jon McLaughlin

“Christmas Time Is Here (But You’re Not)” Jon McLaughlin

“Christmas Lights” Coldplay

“Gather Round” Band of Merrymakers

“All Alone on Christmas” Darlene Love (aka the real Queen of Christmas)

“Lonely This Christmas” Mud

Do you have other original songs you’d add to this list?

-Out of the Wilderness

The Amazon Chest Hair Polar Plunge Commercial – The Music and More

Once again, Amazon is utilizing the skills of this British voiceover actress in their new commercial about a guy who bares his chest for a polar plunge. I’ve paddled around in Florida springs… which is as cold as I ever want to be when it comes to swimming, thankyouhairymuch. But this guy goes all-in for his chilly dip in the water, even getting rid of his chest hair by way of this Braun laser hair removal kit. I’ve never heard the phrase used in the early release of the commercial, “less hair, more air,” but maybe they guy’s on to something. Calling this a holiday ad is a stretch Amazon, although this Gap commercial might be a bigger stretch. Bah humbug, here’s the revised commercial (they changed the voiceover from “less hair, more air” to “…the Flying Dutchman”), then scroll down for more info.

The Music. The song in the commercial is called “ooh LA LA” by Run The Jewels. Here’s the full track, as released in 2020.

It’s Worth Pointing Out. Earlier this year Amazon aired a commercial that was met with some pushback. The ad, check it out here, shows a woman deciding to rock a mustache in school. Amazon must love the progressive side of American culture because just this year they show a woman embracing her body hair and a man removing his. Consequently, this Amazon ad is on the list of commercials I don’t like along with these other ads, one even features an elite NFL running back.

How do you feel about the recent bare-chested polar plunge commercial? Chime in below then check out my Popular TV Ads page for a long list of well-known and a few obscure commercials.

-Out of the Wilderness

NEEDTOBREATHE and Judah & The Lion in Savannah, Georgia

This will be part 1 because this weekend has been busy enough that I can’t possibly write a full recap of the weekend going over to Savannah, Georgia for a concert then out to Macon, too, for a sprint triathlon. But at this specific concert which featured two of my favorite bands– NEEDTOBREATHE and Judah & The Lion– I tried to leave my phone in my pocket (no pictures, texting, etc) so I could soak in every second of the show. I failed a few times, and one of the times I used my phone was to record the lead singer of NEEDTOBREATHE coming right by our seats during the performance of “Brother.” Take a look at the short video of my sister, brother-in-law, and I watching and high-fiving Bear as he sings and strolls by. More to come!

-Out of the Wilderness

Is men’s beard hair dye catfishing?

I saw a TV commercial for a men’s hair dye product and the thought hit me: Why do single men (who are actively dating) dye their beards? As someone who spends time on dating sites, I know that no one wants to be surprised when they show up for a date. In other words, the person you’ve been talking to looks like the 20-years-older version of the person in the profile photos. Catfishing is what that’s called. You’re not exactly who you projected yourself to be.

I totally understand putting your best foot forward. It’s not necessary to show all your cards on the first date (or even the first 10 dates!). But how’s it going to go, men, when you’ve been in a relationship for 6 months, a year, or after you’re married and your spouse finally sees the real you? Gray beard, gray hair, the part of you you’ve been coloring so you appear younger.

It all just seems dishonest to me. If discovering your date is fatter, skinnier, shorter, or taller than they led you to believe before meeting in person and you feel misled, then isn’t that the same as showing up with a brown beard when you know it’s really gray the same thing?

-Out of the Wilderness