"and his name is Mr. Machine"



Why I can still remember the little jingle including a reference to sponsorship, "For you he is Ideal"--the name of the toy manufacturer is somewhat puzzling. Because, you see, I didn't have one, never even knew anyone who did. Only lots of kids who wanted ones.

So how does saturation permeate our noggins and last a a lifetime? Yet some of the good sense we were taught over and over again as youth, doesn't sink in. Doesn't seep into the gray matter. Or is rejected.

"Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, on a sesame seed bun." But you knew that. Even if you haven't had a Big Mac for years.

Something about jingles that stick. I didn't even know they still made Tressemme, Tressemme, Tressemme until just about a year ago. I didn't know what it was when the commercial aired and aired back in the 60's. I just knew that it was repeated several times a day on radio stations I listened to. If I were a woman, I'd have bought some just because it sounded cool back then, and I guess, still does.

On the other paw, advertisers have ruined songs for me. The Kellogg's Raisin Brand that used "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," so turned me against that song that I left a great spot watching Credence Clearwater Revival at Super Bowl 2002 in New Orleans, who can keep track of Roman numerals? I couldn't stand the song and when they started it up, I told my accompanying son to come with me. Until the commercial, I could at least tolerate the song.

One of my favorite commercials now is "There's a Summer Place" Subway feature showing the effects of heftiness. (Why do they have to go back to my generation to get a good song? What do they play at '80 and '90 reunions anyhow? Generations who had no songs.) That is one funny commercial, even though it reeks of realism.

I did hear a good song this week: an update to 2010--"we didn't start the fire". But it is sung at such a fast pace that I couldn't recall much. Maybe because I'm not a Mr. Machine.