In a bizarre marketing scheme, Jessica Simpson once released 500 versions of her song “A Public Affair.” Two decades later, they can't be found anywhere.
Pretty cool....and amazing, Chris! I had no idea, but then, the number of things about Ms. Simpson I'm completely unaware of number in the millions, I'm proud to announce! As it usually does in matters of 21st-century recording curiosities, my mind went to records, and the "what if Artist A, say, records 500 personalized singles in 1978"?
I don't suppose the very notion would ever occur to a vinyl-era artist to begin with, but even if it had, I'm not convinced the labor outlay would be deemed prohibitive...the extra studio time and materials would simply be passed along to the consumer, and my personal recording of Bon Jovi singing just to me, "You Give Love a Brad Name," would simply cost me a tidy $500.00 + 35c shipping (hey, it's the '80s)!
Beyond that, my mind immediately went to the unusual reach-your-fans notion of Todd Rundgren, who, in 1973, inserted a post card in copies of his LP, "A Wizard, A True Star." I got a copy, and sent in the post card. The promise (which he came through on)? "Send in the card, and your name will be on my next album."
As soon as I received my copy of 1974's "Todd" double album, I looked all through it, and came across a massive black and white poster! Unfold it, and it's a replica of the color front cover, only Todd's image is made up of tiny print of all the hundreds of thousands of names that were sent in! All together (and seen from a distance), they merge to look like the cover shot! https://www.facebook.com/toddrundgren/posts/d41d8cd9/2673989732620354/
Lean in and look closely, and you'll be able to find your name.....somewhere! I was somewhere in a lock of hair just off his right ear!
My kids have stuffed dogs that insert their name into the various sentences the dog can say, but the choices are limited, so Carmine has a dog that calls him Carmine, but Giacomo's dog calls him Jack. I'm told when the dog, whose name is Scout, came out, you could contact the company and they'd add your child's name to their database of names.
I wonder, if I offer the option of me shouting someone's name into my mixes more people will listen to them?
Hi Chris, I just finished reading your latest newsletter and I couldn't help but draw a fascinating parallel to a recent case involving Brian Eno. Your exploration of Jessica Simpson's unique marketing campaign, with its personalized versions of a single song, brought to mind the innovative approach of Eno's documentary at Sundance 2024:
I worked for Sony at this time, and I know we also cut each song into a personalized ringtone, obviously focusing on the part where she says the individual name. Was a ton of work! No idea how well they sold, but since no one else seemed to have followed suit it likely didn’t make up for the effort.
I remember when the Pointer Sisters had a hit with "Fire," the local radio station played a version that went "I'm ridin in your car. You turn on WPGC..."
What a fun and totally bizarre oddity. I would love to know what has become of those recordings. Keep up posted pretty please on any sleuthing results that come your way. Thanks for sharing!
Pretty cool....and amazing, Chris! I had no idea, but then, the number of things about Ms. Simpson I'm completely unaware of number in the millions, I'm proud to announce! As it usually does in matters of 21st-century recording curiosities, my mind went to records, and the "what if Artist A, say, records 500 personalized singles in 1978"?
I don't suppose the very notion would ever occur to a vinyl-era artist to begin with, but even if it had, I'm not convinced the labor outlay would be deemed prohibitive...the extra studio time and materials would simply be passed along to the consumer, and my personal recording of Bon Jovi singing just to me, "You Give Love a Brad Name," would simply cost me a tidy $500.00 + 35c shipping (hey, it's the '80s)!
Beyond that, my mind immediately went to the unusual reach-your-fans notion of Todd Rundgren, who, in 1973, inserted a post card in copies of his LP, "A Wizard, A True Star." I got a copy, and sent in the post card. The promise (which he came through on)? "Send in the card, and your name will be on my next album."
As soon as I received my copy of 1974's "Todd" double album, I looked all through it, and came across a massive black and white poster! Unfold it, and it's a replica of the color front cover, only Todd's image is made up of tiny print of all the hundreds of thousands of names that were sent in! All together (and seen from a distance), they merge to look like the cover shot! https://www.facebook.com/toddrundgren/posts/d41d8cd9/2673989732620354/
Lean in and look closely, and you'll be able to find your name.....somewhere! I was somewhere in a lock of hair just off his right ear!
Beat that, Jessica!
Fascinating topic! My mom tells me that when I was a kid we had a VeggieTales CD where Bob and Larry would address me by my name, Darius.
My kids have stuffed dogs that insert their name into the various sentences the dog can say, but the choices are limited, so Carmine has a dog that calls him Carmine, but Giacomo's dog calls him Jack. I'm told when the dog, whose name is Scout, came out, you could contact the company and they'd add your child's name to their database of names.
I wonder, if I offer the option of me shouting someone's name into my mixes more people will listen to them?
Hi Chris, I just finished reading your latest newsletter and I couldn't help but draw a fascinating parallel to a recent case involving Brian Eno. Your exploration of Jessica Simpson's unique marketing campaign, with its personalized versions of a single song, brought to mind the innovative approach of Eno's documentary at Sundance 2024:
- Brian Eno Is an Artist of Many Identities, so Music Doc ‘Eno’ Has 52 Quintillion Versions https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/brian-eno-music-doc-ai-52-quintillion-versions-1234945990/
Keep up the great work with your insightful newsletters!
I worked for Sony at this time, and I know we also cut each song into a personalized ringtone, obviously focusing on the part where she says the individual name. Was a ton of work! No idea how well they sold, but since no one else seemed to have followed suit it likely didn’t make up for the effort.
I remember when the Pointer Sisters had a hit with "Fire," the local radio station played a version that went "I'm ridin in your car. You turn on WPGC..."
What a fun and totally bizarre oddity. I would love to know what has become of those recordings. Keep up posted pretty please on any sleuthing results that come your way. Thanks for sharing!