2023 Super Bowl Classic Rock Commercials Roundup
Classic rock's biggest stars and some of their most popular songs once again turned up in this year's Super Bowl commercials. You can see all of the ads and learn more about the songs heard during the big game below.
Workday: Paul Stanley, Joan Jett, Billy Idol and Ozzy Osbourne
"Hey, corporate types, would you stop calling each other rock stars?" Kiss frontman Paul Stanley demands at the start of Workday's Super Bowl commercial. Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, a chainsaw-wielding Billy Idol and Gary Clark Jr. all chime in to demonstrate the difference between being excellent at cloud-based business solution software and being awesome at guitar playing. The spot ends with Stanley shaming an executive who was once again about to incorrectly use the term.
Read More: Kiss and Ozzy Rebuke Corporate 'Rock Star' Lingo in Super Bowl Ad
Michelob Ultra: Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright"
Michelob Ultra's Super Bowl commercial recreates the climactic golf duel from 1980's Caddyshack, with sports stars such as Serena Williams and Tony Romo doing their best impressions of Michael O'Keefe and Bill Murray. Kenny Loggins' original version of "I'm Alright" remains on the soundtrack. Rock's longtime soundtrack king is on a hot streak, with his song "Danger Zone" appearing in the opening scene of last year's billion-dollar-grossing sequel Top Gun: Maverick.
Read More: Watch Michelob's 'Caddyshack'-Themed Super Bowl Commercial
Doritos: Elton John
Elton John steals the show, and the "triangle player of the year" award, from rapper Jack Harlow in Doritos' new Super Bowl spot. The commercial begins with Harlow in the studio seeking a new element for his sound. He decides the triangle is the missing ingredient, launching a worldwide craze that sees the easily forgotten percussion instrument replacing the pound as Britain's official currency. But when award season comes around Harlow is unexpectedly upstaged by John.
Read More: Elton John Out-Triangles Jack Harlow in Doritos Super Bowl Ad
Crown Royal: Dave Grohl
"Today, let's thank Canada," Dave Grohl begins in this Super Bowl spot for the Canadian whiskey brand Crown Royal. The Foo Fighters frontman then thanks the Great White North for everything from "legends of music" -- Rush, Joni Mitchell, etc. -- to "heroes of comedy" -- Martin Short, Seth Rogen, etc. Grohl also gives kudos to Canada for a long list of inventions, ranging from peanut butter to the ironing board and even football.
Read More: Dave Grohl Gives Thanks to Canada in Super Bowl Ad
NFL: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “Real Wild Child”
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ rendition of “Real Wild Child” was featured in a Super Bowl commercial for the NFL. Airing immediately following Rihanna’s halftime show performance, the spot began with what appeared to be a sideline interview, as reporter Erin Andrews chatted with Diana Flores, the team quarterback of Mexico Women’s National Flag Football team. Things quickly took a turn as Andrews tried to grab Flores’ flag, sending the athlete sprinting away as a cavalcade of NFL players, celebrities and media influencers all tried to stop the elusive runner. “Real Wild Child” played throughout the spot. Jett’s rendition of the tune, originally recorded by Australian rocker Johnny O’Keefe, was released in 1993 on her compilation album Flashback.
Pringles: Tina Turner, “The Best”
Pringles opted to use a classic tune from the Queen of Rock, Tina Turner, for their Super Bowl spot. In the commercial, a teenager gets his hand caught in a Pringles canister, only to have his grandfather tell him it happens to everybody. The old man then rattles through all types of people who have been stuck in such a predicament, including surgeons, judges and gameshow contestants. All of them are seen handling their respective duties with a Pringles can at the end of their hand. Throughout the spot, Tuner’s beloved 1989 hit “The Best” plays in the background.
Turbo Tax: Spandau Ballet, “True”; Men Without Hats, “Safety Dance”
Turbo Tax opted to use a pair of classic tunes in two separate commercials. In the first, Spandau Ballet’s 1983 hit “True” plays as a man gives intricate care to plants in his shop. In their second spot, the familiar refrain of Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” is heard as a man wearing headphones displays some of his best moves in front of a fountain. Both commercials feature a voiceover explaining that the tax preparation service can do taxes for you, leaving you time to do “anything else.”
Air: Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing”
It only makes sense that a movie set in the ‘80s would feature one of the era’s most identifiable guitar riffs. Air, the film starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, which tells the story of Nike's industry-revolutionizing Air Jordan shoe brand, utilized Dire Straits’ "Money for Nothing" in its Super Bowl trailer. It’s the second time the film has featured a classic ‘80s track in one of its spots. We’ve highlighted the other in our “Also of Interest” section below.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Rainbow, “Since You Been Gone”
A new trailer for the upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 debuted during the Super Bowl, featuring Rainbow’s 1979 single “Since You Been Gone.” The track plays throughout the spot, as fans hear from Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) as he updates people on the Guardians’ adventures and prepares for “one last ride.” The track ranks among Rainbow’s most successful commercial hits, reaching No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at No. 6 in the U.K.
Also of Interest
'Air' Movie Trailer: Night Ranger's "Sister Christian"
Every year, film studios spend millions of dollars to promote their upcoming movies during the Super Bowl. Night Ranger fans might want to be on the lookout for the newly released trailer for Air, which stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in the story of Nike's industry-revolutionizing Air Jordan shoe brand. The ad features a pumped-up version of the band's 1984 hit "Sister Christian."
Acura Electric: Jimi Hendrix and Motley Crue
Acura has been running a commercial throughout the NFL playoffs touting the upcoming arrival of a new electric car with help from Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)." Another spot from the same campaign makes good use of Motley Crue's "Live Wire."
'Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies' Trailer
The origin of Rizzo and Frenchy's Pink Ladies gang from 1978's Grease will be explored in the upcoming TV series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. The trailer includes updated versions of several songs from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's hit film.