Beatles "Revolution" 1988 Nike Air Commercial

[@dogol284]

Background for this ad: As I’m sure everyone knows, Michael Jackson owned the Beatles’ discography for the longest time. This is because the Beatles were signed into a bad contract and didn’t *technically* own their songs. Paul McCartney wanted to keep the songs, but the other members didn’t really care, they just wanted to leave and do their own thing. Michael Jackson and his publishing company went around willy-nilly licensing the songs to anyone who would pay. This made Paul angry. He really hated their songs being used in ads. He said it ruins the song, and ruins the connection someone has with the song. Now, Paul has started to buy back their songs, and publishing them through Apple Corps. So nowadays if you hear a Beatles song in a commercial, it’ll probably be a cover.

[@vickis2657]

McCartney had a chance to bid on the catalog, but didn't. He thought Michael would let him have his songs because they had been friends.🙄 Willy nilly...😏...good grief.

[@vickis2657]

McCartney owned Buddy Holly publishing rights...he sold some of Buddy's music to Buick for an ad campaign. ..Hypocrisy much???🤔

[@halimmoesa3097]

@@vickis2657 Did he use them for commercials? Buddy Holly had already died when McCartney purchased them.

[@DayTripperrr]

@@vickis2657 Michael Jackson sold out a long time ago

[@jorgerenatoocanamalpartida9195]

It should be noted that the songs for sale were solely by the Lennon/McCartney firm. Harrison published his songs with his own company Harrisongs. McCartney wanted to buy the songs with Yoko paying 50/50 but Ono was slow to respond so MJ went ahead and ended up buying them.

[@P1mpMyBr1de]

The remaining Beatles were deeply humiliated by this advert

[@nativeflutterbynails3016]

Green Pillow Well Michael Jackson Sold it to Nike, When MJ bought the rights to the Beatles Catalogue

[@nousinosegoesfrogvlogdabyo5313]

Native Flutterby Nails nope Yoko did this, she let nike use this song in the commercial, michael had nothing to do with this

[@Elitist20]

@@nousinosegoesfrogvlogdabyo5313 No, it was Yoko who later (1992) authorised the use of John's 'Instant Karma' for the Nike ad directed by David Fincher - which actually was brilliant. This one isn't very good.

[@riomckay428]

[no u si] nosegoesfrogvlog/dab youngster yoko was outraged by this ad what do u mean

[@mack2770]

@@riomckay428 no she was fine with it because it was good branding. That’s the only reason the lawsuit didn’t go through. All 4 Beatles had to let it through but Yoko ono said no (as she was representing Lennon) because it was a good way to get young people to hear the songs.

[@nehuencah5883]

michael jackson was here

[@whyyoulittle4537]

You are not alone

[@jennydeaf9O9]

awful shameless paedophile, so proud of his perversions as to outwardly admit it on live television. twice. and people are still in doubt. maybe doubt is not the right word when the truth is literally spoken by the guy who did it. delusion. its a delusion to see white MJ as anything but a billionaire pedophile.

[@bigbrotherlivefeeds8625]

Lmao

[@odenseassholesstinker3119]

​@@whyyoulittle4537 I see what you did there

[@GrieviousGeorge]

To this day, Lennon has been rolling over in his ashes

[@ringositar1284]

LMAO

[@ZenJourneys_]

lennon never died

[@TheAccessFoundation]

Nike’s marketing department had no idea that the boost in sales would come from the hip hop community and inner city.

[@McDonaldsDude]

Blame Michael Jordan for that.

[@appetitefordestruction6899]

the beatles being humiliated for 38 seconds

[@briananddrago5981]

Loved your album

[@appetitefordestruction6899]

@@briananddrago5981 same

[@jasontheredfox]

paul was furious

[@BarnacleButtock]

It's honestly not even a good ad. Nothing to do with the song, not timed with the beat, nothing :P

[@uscman]

Nothing like the Instant Karma ad. What does a song about starting a Revolution have to do with buying Nike shoes? What’s the connection?

[@therealmodernwalking9695]

@@uscman lol, i bet by that they wanted to say to us that their pair of snickers are revolutionary..

[@WIMPY86]

Oh, Paul, that's just business! Hee heeeee

[@DH_Artist]

If John was alive to see that on TV, Yoko would’ve had to hold him back from Hunting down Mike and giving him a special new nose

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

.....she was the one who instigated the whole thing to begin with....but very few people want to talk about that....

[@JM_Solo]

She’s the one who passed on retaining the rights to John’s songs and allowed MJ to gain possession in the first place. Paul wanted to buy them back, allegedly asked Yoko if she wanted to go in as 50% partners in the sale, she allegedly declined, and MJ swooped in after contacting Paul’s lawyers and learning they weren’t pursuing the sale. Blame Yoko again.

[@dayvena8191]

It’s strange to me that so many John Lennon songs in specific were chosen to be put over Nike commercials, like I think they’re good songs but given what John Lennon stood for it just seems... strange I guess

[@UrranusZ4]

They didnt own the rights to their song at the rime Michael Jackson sold the use of this song to Nike which caused vivid reactions from the rest of the beatles because of the reasons you brought up

[@uscman]

I only like the Instant Karma ad as it was well edited and made better than this garbage!

[@seres-de-luz]

It makes sense,. Lennon’s songs carry a strong message of empowerment lytically and sonically. That’s the exact message that Nike wanted. Like buy our sneakers and you’ll be empowered. Paul is a great songwriter but his music doesn’t have that.

[@ringositar1284]

I swear if Lennon saw this he Would be laughing his ass off

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

@giftbsc5561 .....i suspect not because what no one seems to want to discuss is that YOKO was the mastermind behind all of it....

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

@@krowta2062 ....oh she was JUST like that ....telling MJ that she needed to have something for her son SEAN the whole bit....

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

@@krowta2062 ...i think not....and Michael gave wonderful press conference showing unconcern about what people think about what he does with his catalog...

[@g00blerz]

@@krowta2062hawaii part ii part ii album cover spotted

[@fshoaps]

This is demeaning to the legacy of not only John Lennon but rock and roll as a medium of youth, challenging ideals and rebellion. This disgusts me to my core.

[@OstaraBooks]

Way to tick Paul off.

[@uscman]

Wow, thanks for ruining my favorite Beatles song, MJ!

[@alramone1]

Such a corny ad, but it did help me become interested in the Beatles when I was very young.

[@dean6816]

Bit late I know but how many ads play great songs that newer generations have not heard?

[@astromaniac360]

I wish Paul and Yoko bought the catalogue. None of them wanted it to be used for ads

[@lenini056]

Paperback Writer I think the commercial is the prefect representation of what the baby boom generation had become in the 80s. They sold out their ideologies for corporate greed they originally hated. The song “revolution” being used in a shoe commercial is the yuppie culture in a nutshell.

[@denxero]

Not sure Paul or Yoko could have been trusted not to sellout to the capitalist pigs.

[@superduperboyx]

So why didn't they?? I was hearing Paul knew it was up for sale.

[@ipsurvivor]

superduperboyx - It’s complicated but Paul wanted to buy back their catalog for 40Million Dollars and asked Yoko to split it - so 20 Million a piece... Yoko didn’t want to do it. Paul had the money but was also possibly concerned that he would look bad with some or all of John’s Publishing belonging to Paul. I’d like clarification because I think he only wanted the Northern Songs part of ATV PUBLISHING whereas Jackson actually bought a vast publishing company featuring many other songs by many other artists- about 4,000 songs in all if I’m not mistaken. When they owned their own publishing in the 60s they never controlled their own music as they only owned about 40% of Northern Songs... John 20% and Paul 20%. Paul may have had a few extra shares when Northern Songs went public in the late 60s. Dick James was a majority holder and sold Northern Songs to ATV without telling them... Legal... but not the nicest thing to do to your Golden Goose. John and Paul sold all their Publishing in 69’...

[@taniabiland]

Paul didn't want it but Yoko yes

[@septopia]

I just remember that the Beatles, or Paul> tried to sell me shoes i bought cause LL rocked them. Thanks Past!

[@bIametheniIe]

Excellent troll move, Micheal! lol

[@DayTripperrr]

Mj died addicted to pills and alone 😂😂😂 Karma got him in the end

[@ladona1875]

Jajajaja, Paul todo enojado y Michael Jackson super tranquilo

[@storming.]

jajaja

[@paris3135]

Nike (a corporation who uses child and slave labour) and the message of this song and for what Lennon stood for does not mix.

[@apenasumlucas8428]

Nooo Michael nooo :(

[@jesseingram7914]

I never knew about this commercial until about 3 minutes ago, but as a Beatles obsesser for 25 years: lol what

[@mattjames7718]

Lived through this disaster Gen X Irony, ugh! I'm high as fucK

[@ChrisNeufeldMusic]

“Beatles wrote the Nike song and called it macaroni” - Sheryl Crow, “The Na-Na Song”

[@vegascribbs]

The only needed reason to dislike micheal Jackson

[@aleynamehmetoglu4212]

Exactly

[@ringomo6]

Well eminem grave him a taste of his own medicine

[@RandyR]

This is why i have been boycotting Nike then an ever sense. Besides. they are to expensive.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

This Nike ad is just cringed. Why does a Shoe Company use a Beatle anthem rebellious like Revolution to sell freaking Sports Trinkets? Wish Michael did not buy the legendary catalog, to be honest.

[@LegacyBridge]

Do you have the NIke Air Basketball advert between 1987-1989 which was shot in Houston? Features Ron Harper, Gerald Wilkins, Darrell Moore (Eishenhower HS), and Scott Tynes (Klein Forest High School)?

[@therealmodernwalking9695]

No

[@DeeZee75]

As a kid I loved this ad!! The song was perfect because the Air Max started a revolution in the sneaker world.

[@riomckay428]

DeeZee75 this is the problem. the song completely goes against this ad. the whole point is to be different and isn’t about shoes whatsoever. terrible ad

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Nike sucks

[@ebLaSe]

Rádio Comercial trouxe-me aqui.

[@Jay-ef2ii]

Comment: Awesome commercial. Nice song from the Beatles. June 2024. USA

[@Messiisthebest724]

Before Nike took advantage of the inner city, hood and hip hop culture

[@OlikValera]

This is like a children underwear brand use a Michael Jackson song for its ad.

[@kahlilgibran5812]

R.I.P. MICHAEL JACKSON

[@whyyoulittle4537]

" songs like Revolution didn't mean a pair of sneakers "

[@IAmInfinitus208]

I'm a Beatles fan and aware of MJ owning the catalog at the time, but geez y'all, calm down! It's just an ad!

[@BLBT-jw5sz]

As much as I like Yoko Ono, I disagree this song would of brought The Beatles Music to a New Generation. Michael Jackson should of been slapped for allowing this.

[@joshdznyc]

This ruined Paul and Michael’s good friendship. They wrote music together and this destroyed iy

[@sterlingfury]

And we're going to be...all white 😢😢😢

[@user-ft6wo8rs5g]

That whiteboy trying to ball

[@jcfromlongisland5943]

Is that Howie Long in the commercial?

[@Chloe_playz608]

If not because of this ad, all Beatles fans are those who's old people. Many young generations knows it from an ads or game.

[@kishannaconandoyle1907]

I hate it.

[@Meme_Lor]

Peopel saying Yoko Ono have no idea that Yoko is a socialist like John lmao

[@davidjsauder9569]

Paul McCartney was upset with Michael Jackson

[@savagesushi4322]

Love Nike and the Beatles

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Nike sucks

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Child-labor bullcrap

[@videosLAN]

TE ODIO MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!!!

[@timotheechalamet5732]

Vete a la mierda

[@ronaldreagan1068]

Nah don’t be angry because he was a better musician

[@YeetMcCheese]

@@ronaldreagan1068 and a better businessman

[@HugoKaiju536]

@@ronaldreagan1068 Paul is better musician than mj bruh

[@ronaldreagan1068]

@@HugoKaiju536 lmao u saying the man who stole black music for half of his career is better than the man who made Dangerous. Beatles don’t deserve to be known as the best band of all time because they def aren’t. Queen probably does.

[@DiegoSandovalLopez4579]

Paul: 😡 Fan of Beatles: 😃😄😁 The Beatles After many yers Paul (Old): Nah Whatever, take it if you want this song ours just, dont forget credits us

[@californianbean2977]

Not only disrespecting revolution and the wishes of the Beatles, but this commercial fucking sucks (and that’s not me being salty this commercial is just genuinely bad)

[@projectpat006]

When Michael Jackson saw this commercial his lawsuit radar went full Hee Hee

[@ChkBFD]

😢

[@eliana2962]

Cagada cortesía de Michael Jackson

[@Messiisthebest724]

This ad leaves a bad taste in my mouth

[@LucasLucaueu-28]

Why michael??? 😡🤧😭😭

[@69realstar2]

Well wasn't about the privilege running about in sneakers lol

[@Schwumbel]

Made my catalogue of never to buy this brand

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Same, Nike sucks

[@caricaturafea453]

Una humillación

[@gregsepicadventures]

Paul does not approve and neither do I. FUMJ.

[@mandandoaletramusicas]

Fala, galera. Vocês conhecem a história e a letra dessa música? Dá uma conferida nesse vídeo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3XdpJWDhahpec0

[@georgeharrison1546]

worst ad ever

[@Popcoolboi]

hey

[@rccola6779]

At the Time of MJ death only 2%-5% of the music catalog was unsold.

[@DayTripperrr]

Michael Jackson killed the music industry with his commercialization money hungry ego.Karma got him in the end 😂😂😂

[@Mr-Soto]

Is that howie long?

[@jimmycline4778]

No! It was Too Tall Jones!

[@edwinambrose5683]

Michael Jacksons true legacy.

[@mats6022]

Lol

[@olgierdanotv1893]

No, his true legacy was being pedophile

[@samgod]

Loved this commercial. Nike used the song with full clearance. They' Beatles are just a fucking band who think too highly of themselves. It's music people. Get off your high horses.

[@stefs6964]

Bullshit commercial ni Nike at all

[@Yakee.]

Top!!

[@amytaylor6716]

*bottom

[@jonnysupreme]

Nike. Just do it ✔️