Heineken is known for its creative and memorable TV commercials that often feature popular music. If you’ve seen a recent Heineken ad and are wondering “what is the song?” – you’ve come to the right place!
Identifying the Heineken Ad
With dozens of different Heineken commercials airing at any given time, the first step is identifying which specific ad you’re trying to find the song for. Some of the most popular recent Heineken ads include:
- The “Moderate Drinkers Wanted” ad featuring Neil Patrick Harris
- The James Bond “Crack the Case” interactive ad
- The “Now You Can” ad featuring Benicio del Toro
- The “Go Places” ad with Zlatan Ibrahimović
- The “Better Together” ad featuring Heineken 0.0
Once you’ve identified the specific Heineken commercial, it becomes much easier to find the song featured in the ad.
“Moderate Drinkers Wanted” Ad Song
The popular “Moderate Drinkers Wanted” Heineken ad first aired in 2017 and features Neil Patrick Harris. The upbeat indie pop song in the commercial is “No Diggity” by Chet Faker.
Here are some key details on the song:
- Original artist: Blackstreet (released in 1996)
- Cover version by: Chet Faker
- Genre: Indie/electronic
- Appears on Chet Faker’s EP titled Lockjaw (2012)
The use of Chet Faker’s smooth electronic cover of the 90s R&B hit helps give the ad an energetic, contemporary vibe. The lyrics “I like the way you work it” tie in nicely with the “Moderate Drinkers Wanted” theme of enjoying Heineken in moderation.
“Crack the Case” Ad Song
For the high-profile “Crack the Case” interactive James Bond commercial in 2018, Heineken used the song “On Top” by Flume featuring vocals from David Harks.
Details on “On Top”:
- Artist: Flume (Australian electronic music producer)
- Features vocals from David Harks
- Genre: Electronica/dance
- Released in 2016
- Appears on Flume’s album Skin
The driving, gritty electronic beat of “On Top” fits perfectly with the slick spy movie vibe of the action-packed ad. Flume’s music helps lend a contemporary, cutting-edge feel to the commercial.
“Now You Can” Ad Song
Heineken’s imaginative “Now You Can” ad starring Benicio del Toro aired in 2019 and featured a remix of the classic “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye:
- Original song: “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye (1973)
- Remix by: Beat Boutique
- Genre: R&B/soul
The smooth, jazzy remix of the Motown hit pairs nicely with del Toro’s suave character. Letting the iconic song play out at the end drives home the “Now You Can” tagline.
“Go Places” Ad Song
The inspirational 2021 “Go Places” ad starring footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović uses the uplifting song “Run Boy Run” by Woodkid.
Here’s some info on the track:
- Artist: Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine)
- Song: “Run Boy Run”
- Genre: Indie pop/rock
- Released in 2011
- Appears on Woodkid’s debut album The Golden Age
The driving beat and anthemic vocals of “Run Boy Run” match the ad’s motivating theme. The song helps convey the sense of possibilities and potential achieved by boldly moving forward.
“Better Together” Ad Song
For the togetherness-focused “Better Together” ad introducing Heineken 0.0 in 2021, the song “All We Have” by Slow Magic featuring vocals by TWZ was chosen.
About “All We Have”:
- Artist: Slow Magic (electronic music project)
- Features vocals from TWZ
- Genre: Chillwave/pop
- Released in 2020
The atmospheric, uplifting track reinforces the ad’s theme of human connections during difficult times. The airy vocals and subdued, emotional tone of “All We Have” fits perfectly with the simple, heartfelt visuals.
Finding Heineken Ad Songs
As you can see, Heineken chooses music very carefully to match the tone and concept of each commercial. Electronic, indie pop, and R&B remixes are common genres used to provide an energetic yet sophisticated vibe.
Some resources that can help identify Heineken ad songs include:
- Heineken’s YouTube channel featuring their ads
- Ad trackers like AdTune, Adsongs, and WhatsOnTVAds
- Subreddits like r/CommercialsIWatched
- Tuning into the ads on TV to Shazam the song
With some targeted googling and the details above, you should be able to crack the case on that catchy Heineken ad song stuck in your head!
Table of Recent Popular Heineken Ad Songs
| Heineken Ad Name | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate Drinkers Wanted | No Diggity | Chet Faker |
| Crack the Case | On Top | Flume feat. David Harks |
| Now You Can | Let’s Get It On (Remix) | Marvin Gaye |
| Go Places | Run Boy Run | Woodkid |
| Better Together | All We Have | Slow Magic feat. TWZ |
Heineken’s Use of Music
Heineken has proven to be ahead of the curve when it comes to matching music to commercials. Their ads feature an eclectic mix of the hottest up-and-coming artists in genres like electronica, indie rock, and remixes of classic tracks.
Music is essential to setting the vibe of Heineken ads and tying into their creative concepts. The songs are often a driving force making the commercials so distinctive and memorable.
Heineken uses music as an anchor point drawing audiences into immersive ad experiences. The songs resonate on a deeper level and stick with viewers long after the ads air.
Next time you find yourself wondering “what’s that song?” while watching a Heineken commercial, this guide should help you identify the catchy tunes that so aptly capture the brand’s personality.
The Importance of Music in Advertising
Music is a crucial component of TV commercials for several important reasons:
- Sets the mood – Music establishes the overall tone and feel that frames the branded message.
- Enhances engagement – Studies show pairing music with visuals increases viewer attention and emotional response.
- Brand association – Music forms strong connections to the brand in the consumer’s mind.
- Memorability – Audiences remember ads with catchy, impactful music.
- Demographic appeal – Music can be targeted to distinct audience segments based on genre, artists, era, etc.
For all these reasons, advertisers are willing to spend big bucks licensing the perfect songs to create standout campaigns. Heineken in particular is a brand long recognized for its effective use of music in advertising.
Heineken Case Study
Heineken’s “Now You Can” campaign featuring Benicio del Toro provides an excellent case study on the power of music in advertising.
Key details:
- Aired in 2019 promoting Heineken Silver
- Features a remix of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”
- Opened with del Toro seemingly unable to approach a beautiful woman at a club
- Ends with him suavely joining her at the bar after drinking a Heineken Silver
The familiar funk/R&B track by Gaye immediately grabs the viewer’s attention. It establishes a smooth, sensual vibe complemented by del Toro’s confident character.
The lyrics “Let’s get it on” tie directly into the “Now You Can” tagline, implying the beer gives the confidence to act on your impulses.
Letting the iconic song play out leaves viewers with the soulful music still resonating. It forms a strong positive association with Heineken in memory.
This case clearly demonstrates how the strategic use of music can greatly enhance an ad’s impact. Heineken leverages the power of music exceptionally well in its advertising.
Conclusion
Music is an integral component of the advertising formulas that have made Heineken commercials so creatively impactful. The brand sets the standard when it comes to sonically branding campaigns with handpicked tracks that connect on an emotional level.
Whether it’s an up-and-coming indie artist or a remix of a legendary hit, Heineken ads feature music as memorable as the commercials themselves. So next time you find the music from a Heineken ad sticking in your mind, use the techniques from this article to help track down the artist and song.