6 Music - Music News

The White Stripes have taken exception to a new TV commercial for the US Air Force Reserve, stating that the advert features a re-recorded version of their 2001 hit Fell In Love With A Girl, used without the band’s approval.

A statement posted on their official website reads: "We believe our song was re-recorded and used without permission of the White Stripes, our publishers, label or management.

"The White Stripes take strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserve's presenting this advert with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support."

"We have not licensed this song to the air force reserve and we plan to take strong action to stop the ad containing this music."

White Stripes

The 30-second advert aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday 6 February, but appears to have been removed from the Force’s official site and YouTube since.

"The White Stripes support this nation’s military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them," continued the post from Jack and Meg White and their label Third Man Records. "We simply don’t want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict, and hope for a safe and speedy return home for our troops.

"We have not licensed this song to the air force reserve and we plan to take strong action to stop the ad containing this music."

The Air Force Reserve have responded with a statement, denying the song was the White Stripes', saying it hired a company through its advertising agency to score original music for the commercial.

"There was never any intention to utilize any existing music or to sound like any music by the band White Stripes or any other musical performer," it reads. "Any similarity or likeness to any other music is completely unintentional."

Hot Chip react

When Hot Chip dropped by the 6 Music towers today, we asked Joe Goddard and Al Doyle if their music's ever been caught up with something they don’t approve of.

Goddard said: "I wish it happened more in a way, seems like you’re more in demand at least."

With Doyle adding: "We haven’t had one where it’s been an international arms manufacturer asking to use Over and Over, but we’ve had car companies [ask us]."

They think the product or cause has to be right, so said they would avoid letting their music be used in alcohol adverts.

However, endorsements can go both ways, as Goddard explained: "Then there’s stuff that’s really appropriate that we also for other reasons we turn down.

"We were once asked to have our music used for TK Maxx, which we really like as a store. For some reason they just didn’t want it in the end or something like that, but we got quite excited about that one." 

Doyle joked: "We were prepared to give the music away for free for that one."