I'm cool with artists making money for new, original work being used in advertisements. I have no problem with that. There needs to be music, I'd rather the music be good, and I'd rather my favorite artists get paid.

However, it's taking a song I love and re-purposing it for an advertisement that can rub me the wrong way. I'd hate to see a Vegas ad with Wilco's "Casino Queen" song, for example.

And then the far other side is the obscure songs that are reawakened by advertisements. I'm part of that generation who fell in love with Nick Drake's music through a VW ad. (Remember, with the pretty night sky and the convertible? I still love that ad.) Another one I loved was the Kinks' "Photograph" (can't remember the song name) for the Canon ad. Great song!

Yeah, I got no beef with it, as long as it's sort of showcasing the song, like in this case -- not whoring it. So, basically what Larry said.

When I bought my VW in 2002, my hubby made me a CD with that "Paper Moon" song on it. Cheesy, I know, but dang, y'know? That song DOES go well with a moonlit, windy drive! Probably doesn't have to be in a Jetta ...

"What Light" from Wilco is also being used on a new ad for TNT (TV network) as well. Saw it last night...

Some more info: Recently a studio version of the unreleased song "The Thanks I Get" was featured on a Volkswagen commercial. On June 1st, 2007, Volkswagen announced "Wilco's recently released album Sky Blue Sky is the soundtrack to Volkswagen's latest TV campaign." As many as 5 or more songs off Sky Blue Sky will feature prominently in the ads, and songs off the album will be streamed off vw.com. According to the press release, it is the "first-ever licensing deal for Wilco."