This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Brands & Merch
Morrissey allows Smiths song to appear in John Lewis advert
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 11 November 2011
Morrissey has given his approval for a Smiths song to be used in John Lewis’ Christmas TV ad campaign. And worst of all, they’ve chosen ‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’, which doesn’t seem to be in the giving spirit of the season. That said, the tagline is apparently “John Lewis: for gifts you can’t wait to give”, so basically the whole thing makes no sense. Unless we’re all meant to buy presents for Morrissey this year, I suppose.
John Lewis’s Marketing Director Craig Inglis told The Telegraph that Morrissey was “delighted” that the retail chain wanted to use the song, saying: “It wasn’t a long and difficult road actually. It was relatively straightforward getting the rights. We approached the record company [Rough Trade] and Morrissey back in July, and they gave their approval. It is an iconic track from an iconic British band. We know our audience holds The Smiths and bands from that era in high esteem”.
Rough Trade’s Head Of Marketing Ruth Paterson told The Times: “I do like the idea of a really good song by a really good band being played in Middle England’s living rooms. I’m sure that wasn’t the song’s intended purpose, but I think that’s a good thing”.
If I want a really good song by a really good band to be played in a Middle England living room over Christmas I’ll put one on myself, thanks.
