February 3, 2014

"Is there anything more American than America?"

I laughed at what I considered a really dumb first line, even as Meade, seeing the opening back-of-the-head shot, identified Bob Dylan. Here's the ad, to analyze in the cold light of day:



On review, I understand the sense of the line that caught my ear as dumb. It's that all the foreign carmakers are only imitating what is essentially American, the car. Detroit carmakers were the "inspiration" for "the rest of the world," says the great genius songwriter who took his inspiration from plenty of others who came before him.

At 0:49, Dylan lumbers forward saying, "Yeah, Detroit made cars. And cars made America." His upper lip looks strangely fake. There's no mustache. Did he shave off his mustache or is it plastered down with some sort of flesh-toned makeup paste that's impairing the mobility of his mouth? He wants his mustache, I think. He's had it a long time. But Chrysler doesn't want a mustache image.

Near the end, Bob says, "So let Germany brew your beer..." and I take a little offense, because beer is a big part of the manufacturing segment of the Wisconsin economy. But Bob's a Minnesotan, and there's some interstate rivalry, even as he's talking up Michigan. It's the state that shares your state's border that you tend to disrespect. Once there's another state buffering the proximity, you can get a little fuzzy and romantic.

Meade says, as I'm playing this: "The background tune is 'Things Have Changed.'" He recites a line of that song — which is playing only instrumentally — "I used to care but things have changed." The vocal track enters at the very end, with only the line "things have changed" — not "I used to care." You're supposed to care — a lot — about America. At least when you're buying a car. There are no cars in that song. There's some waiting for a train and walking on a bad road, and...
Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet
Putting her in a wheelbarrow and wheeling her down the street
That would be a change, but what you need, in this unchanged America, is a car, and Bob recommends a Chrysler.

78 comments:

Seeing Red said...

Chrysler is Italian. GM could have a field day with that.

cassandra lite said...

The moment I recognized Dylan's VO, my jaw dropped. Then I thought of Desolation Row: "They're selling postcards of the hanging."

Kevin said...

I find the idea of Bob Dylan driving a car to be strangely unnerving.

It's like the time I was at Chanterelle and saw Bjork pay for her dinner with her credit card out of her wallet, instead of, you know, pixie dust or something.

I bet both of them poop, even. Bizarre.

traditionalguy said...

The Super Bowl ads got the party's attention yesterday, but many looked away once it was not the Budweiser puppy & Clydesdale ad that all were waiting to see.

I said isn't that Bob Dylan, and nobody replied or even seemed to know who he is. Sad.

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

I'm laughing. Hard.

I can't take this seriously. It's like a parody.

But hey, I'm Gen X.

Mark said...

You mean a Fiat?

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Fiat! It's more American than America!

Ann Althouse said...

Oh, Bob Dylan's done commercials before. He did Cadillac and Victoria's Secret. I don't see why anyone should be surprised. I'm sure he only does ones he likes and finds it amusing, including amusing to shock people whose "jaw dropped."

Does he need anymore money? He probably wants money, but I think he's more interested in getting some different kinds of publicity and keeping you even baffled more.

Meade said...

"I said isn't that Bob Dylan, and nobody replied or even seemed to know who he is. Sad."

Like a complete unknown.

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Can't get too upset at the ad. Of course this ad isn't directed at me. They know their market- old people.

Bob Dylan can make any ads he wants. I don't see why he has to be special or different for any reason besides his work.

But ads like this are hilariously bad for anyone younger than 40. It's so overdone.

Richard Lawrence Cohen said...

Bob's car has a bumper sticker that says "World's Greatest Grandpa." As I'm sure he understands, the slogan is literally true about him.

Meade said...

And it's not like he drove off in an AMC Pacer.

Ann Althouse said...

Traditionalguy was at a party where he had to ask "Oh my God, am I here all alone?"

NCMoss said...

Who knew the "Medal of Honor" Dylan received from Obama would have strings attached? The answer my friend...

I'm Full of Soup said...

I was at a wedding in 2012 and a longtime Chrysler fatcat and board member was trying to mock Romney for his so-called trickle down policy. I thought no wonder Chrysler tanked and had to be sold to Fiat when they had an Obama loving board member.

I'm Full of Soup said...

When Obama saw the Dylan commercial, he tweeted "at some point you have made enough money".

Tank said...

John Lynch said...

Can't get too upset at the ad. Of course this ad isn't directed at me. They know their market- old people.

Bob Dylan can make any ads he wants. I don't see why he has to be special or different for any reason besides his work


In the old hippie dippy days (as Phil would say), this would be called "selling out" to the man.

Bad Karma dude.

Illuninati said...

This almost sounds like parody except Dylan is serious. Who knew that Fiat (the Italian company that owns Chrysler) is more American than America itself?

William said...

When you think of Detroit, you don't think of great cars. You think of urban decline and failed dreams. Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang. Tail fins and Motown in a dying fall.

Wince said...

I bet both of them poop, even. Bizarre.

As long as they didn't avail themselves of the toilet in the host's master bedroom.

Brando said...

I guess there's nothing more American than using patriotism to try and get people to buy an Italian car. When you want your chutzpah, get it in America! We do it better than anyone else except maybe the French.

Eric said...

How is a Chrysler manufactured in the USA less Italian than a Honda manufactured in the USA is Japanese?

Meade said...

I've got a pen and I've got a phone. What could be more American than government by Fiat®?

Hagar said...

I do not "need a Fiat in my life." I know it would be good for my moral fiber, but at my age I have enough challenges already.

Michael said...

Liked to see old Bob. He is looking pretty good actually. The ad was fine, love the background song, but was a bit baffled why he would swing with Chrysler which is a terrible product, notoriously horrible.

We proud Americans have been forced, twice, to invest in this crappy car company which rolls out junk decade after decade. I was pissed when I had to "invest" in it the first time, but twice? Really. How about we Americans recognizing crap and deciding not to buy it but being foiled over and over? Bob should not have been down with that.

Anonymous said...

"Fiat! It's more American than America!"

Yes---especially now that we are ruled through Government by Fiat.

TosaGuy said...

I drove a Ford to work this morning. Yesterday at the hardware store I saw a Subaru with the bumperstick "union thug" on it.

Brennan said...

Is there anything more "American" than adding complicated electronics into your vehicles becuase of greenhouse gas concerns mandated by the EPA and this would in turn devastate the United States domestic automobile domination?

Write this song Bob. Call it, "Accidental Obituary".

Brennan said...

How is a Chrysler manufactured in the USA less Italian than a Honda manufactured in the USA is Japanese?

The parts for the Chrysler vehicle are fabricated in the United States for assembly in the United States.

Honda parts are still largely fabricated outside the United States and shipped to the US for assembly. Trade policy drives this for the Japanese.

Seeing Red said...

Well, Illuminati, if this incessant need for taxes keeps up, we may become more Italian than Italians in creative tax avoidance.

tastid212 said...

it was Eastwood touting Detroit before, now it's Dylan. is it rolling, Bob?

David Davenport said...

Is there anything more "American" than adding complicated electronics into your vehicles becuase of greenhouse gas concerns mandated by the EPA and this would in turn devastate the United States domestic automobile domination?

Please explain why electronic emissions control equipment gives or gave Japanese or German car makers an advantage over Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

Is your statement a roundabout way of admitting that the foreign auto firms have or had technological superiority over the Deetroit 3?

rhhardin said...

Stick out your chest like you owna Nash, as the sergeant says.

Brennan said...

Is your statement a roundabout way of admitting that the foreign auto firms have or had technological superiority over the Deetroit 3?

Yes.

Mark O said...

"I think he's more interested in getting some different kinds of publicity and keeping you even baffled more."

When your hero does something inexplicably odd, find the genius in it. This is how we got Obama.

kjbe said...

I like Minnesota...and Michigan. Iowa's ok.

Illinois, not so much.

PackerBronco said...

So, we haul out a 60's icon, fill the commercial with iconography from the 40's, 50's, and 60's about the greatness of America and the cars we make.

What do I take away from this?

We USED to make great cars, back in the day.

Sell me on the models you make TODAY and convince me they're better. Don't expect me to buy your car "for old time's sake."

Seeing Red said...

Maybe that's Detroits problem. They choose Clint & Dylan, Kia chooses Star Wars & nick Fury who's got a Matrix vibe going on?

gerry said...

GM could have a field day with that.

Only if they returned the billions they and the UAW took at gunpoint from bondholders and taxpayers.

Screw them all - GM, the UAW, and Chrysler.

The Godfather said...

If Americans make the best cars, then that's a reason to buy an American car. Patriotism has nothing to do with it.

And I don't look for the union label, either.

Brennan said...

Sell me on the models you make TODAY and convince me they're better. Don't expect me to buy your car "for old time's sake."

They still make the best models in their class for SOME vehicle lines. Just look at the sales figures for...Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and even that Illinois. The Ford F-Series is the top selling vehicle in all of these states except for Michigan. There it is the Ford Fusion.

The F-Series is the number one selling automobile in almost every state. American's have to haul things. Sometimes they have to haul their freedoms to another state like Scott Brown hauled his to New Hampshire.

gerry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hagar said...

No, Brennan,
In fact, cars made in USA by firms with headquarters elsewhere must have more "Made in U.S.A." content than those made by the Detroit 3 in order to qualify as domestic and avoid ruinous import tariffs.

Congress rules!

gerry said...

And screw Dylan too.

What a hypocrite, taking money from Obama's corporate cronies!

What's next? Old fart Dylan shilling MyRA accounts with a 1% return? Giving a fine old hippie rebel boost to Citibank retirement accounts (another Obama crony outfit), or maybe a smart ad campaign supporting the coming bailouts to insurance companies for Obama's biggest lie and fraud?

Scott said...

Is Bob Dylan really a Minnesotan? He lives in Malibu.

I was born in another state, but lived from age 2 to 25 in St Paul MN. Maybe that makes me a Minnesotan, but perhaps not. I'm 57 and have lived since 1998 in New Jersey.

I think to call oneself a Minnesotan involves adopting a certain chauvinistic attitude about it. I'm not a student of Bob Dylan, so I don't know if he's ever made any prideful declarations of his Minnesota heritage. And, unlike Prince, who is unambiguously Minnesotan, Dylan no longer has roots there.

I'm just asking. I don't know the answer.

Scott said...

(Was Les Paul a Wisconsonian? He went back to Kenosha for his high school reunions, but he spent most of his life living in other states. He died in Mahwah, NJ.)

gadfly said...

@Seeing Red said:
Chrysler is Italian. GM could have a field day with that.

It is indeed ironic that the guy with the "Seeing Red" moniker doesn't know that GM sells more cars in China than it sell in the US.

Hagar said...

and I believe that for automobile manufacturing purposes, Windsor, Canada and Puebla, Mexico are considered suburbs of Detroit, MI.

Kind of like the English Common Law for some purposes consider properties in the Canary Islands to be located in an old London cemetery.

Scott said...

Chrysler is a monument to crony capitalism. By the numbers:

Cedarford said...

The Godfather said...
If Americans make the best cars, then that's a reason to buy an American car. Patriotism has nothing to do with it.

====================
The Ruling Elites determined that profits could be maximized by offshoring manufacturing to the cheapest foreign labor pools.

American citizen consumers have been indoctrinated that their only duty is to buy the best and cheapest Chinastuff available...and somehow, the "unbridled Freedom and Genius of Amurrika" will find great jobs in lieu of the shuttered factories.

Conservative droolers blame all the job loss on "Those Unions" - ignoring that all the factories also closed in non-union Freedom States! with the "right to work". Where are all those great non-union jobs in Southern "freedom-loving" States or the ones set up at one time in Puerto Rico or Mexico? Gone to China as well.

Liberal droolers think all that lost manufacturing can be replaced by borrowing money from China or Korea and creating more Hero Cops and unionized Hero government regulators and services providers to the vast sea of the unemployed (now pushing 40% actual unemployment in the USA) as well as the flood of millions of jobless Mexicans whose factories closed and they cannot borrow money as readily as the Amurrikans.

Meanwhile, China is taking the money from 30% Chinese content in some US cars as well as Walmart dollars - and modernizing its military and laying the keels for 4 aircraft carriers

Amexpat said...

Some thoughts about the ad: It's aimed at the working class. The last scene is in pool hall with working class types who make America's cars as opposed to the elites who drink German beer wear Swiss watches.

Dylan has been in ads before, but this is the first that directly refers to him as an icon on par with James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, by showing fragments from his prime and his name. So, they didn't think he would be readily be recognized by a mass audience.

He face, in addition to the missing moustache, looked odd. Like he got a facelift or had Botox injections.

The only product that I wanted to buy after the ad was German beer. The one in the ad sure looked good.

Anonymous said...

@william @packerbronco

That was my take on it. We haven't made great cars in a long time, though Ford is at least not embarrassing anymore.

I saw this as a plea for jobs for Detroit, and because of the choice of imagery, specifically as a plea for jobs for black line workers.

But the main subtext was that America's identity disappeared last century and it needs to reivent itself. It had that same tinge of desperation as the blowhards that will say, " if we hadn't bailed you out in WW2, you'd be soaking German." Only if you are WW2 age do you have the right to say that.

Anonymous said...

Chrysler is Italian.

Known Unknown said...

Oh, Bob Dylan's done commercials before. He did Cadillac and Victoria's Secret. I don't see why anyone should be surprised. I'm sure he only does ones he likes and finds it amusing, including amusing to shock people whose "jaw dropped.

The best thing about Dylan is that he's always been his own man — detached from the needs of others who want him to be so-and-so ... an anti-war activist, a reliable progressive, an elitist, or a certain type of political or social promise.

Robert Zimmerman just wanted to be a rock star.

RecChief said...

shorter Althouse:
"That was a really stupid statement." "Bob Dylan said it? There is a deeper meaning and a larger Truth here."

Guimo said...

Creepy.

Seeing Red said...

I know that, gadfly.

And GM will be or is moving more to China every day.

BUT - where's the corporate HQ?

Seeing Red said...

BTW - "I am no man."

Michael said...

Cedarford: Big ass Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. Big ass BMW plant in South Carolina. Big ass Kia plant in Alabama. All spanking new. Turning out product. Creating thousands of jobs in the plants, suppliers, builders, restaurants, hotels.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

Near the end, Bob says, "So let Germany brew your beer..." and I take a little offense, because beer is a big part of the manufacturing segment of the Wisconsin economy.

I'd be 99.5% of the population of Madison would be caught dead drinking Miller.

garage mahal said...

Cedarford: Big ass Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga

Big vote coming up next week in Chattanooga deciding whether workers want to be represented by the UAW or not.

mccullough said...

Shooting pool at the end was cheesy.

gerry said...

if we hadn't bailed you out in WW2, you'd be soaking German

I don't make fun of typos, especially since I am a lousy typist, and when one is extra funny it deserves congratulation. "Soaking German" is oddly evacative, and I do mean oddly. Heh.

Hagar said...

Miller tastes of yeast.

Known Unknown said...

evacative,

Evacative, as in ... GET OUT!?

One good typo deserves another.

Cedarford said...

Michael said...
Cedarford: Big ass Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. Big ass BMW plant in South Carolina. Big ass Kia plant in Alabama. All spanking new. Turning out product. Creating thousands of jobs in the plants, suppliers, builders, restaurants, hotels
=============
True, same with Honda in Ohio. But that all came from Congress and Reagan (Pre "outsource any US job for higher profits to a few"-Globalist era)
Reagan may have mouthed the words to free trade purists, may actually have believed that Amurrikans could make cheaper blue jeans and widgets than the Chinese or Bangladeshis...but DC at that point was still smart enough or at least not bought enough by the Ruling Elites they could see what would happen politically if all the cars were made in Japan and Germany. So they told the Germans and Japs their brands were welcome, as long as they built here and preserved American jobs.

YOur examples down South are the continuation of that implicit threat to foreign car manufacturers that for them, "Free Trade for Fredom Lovers" doesn't apply to them.
Unfortunately, the various other industries and small business light manufacturing jobs lost dwarf the "feel happy" side of BMW and Honda auto plants. The whole South textile industry was destroyed by subsequent Administrations along with light manufacturing and high tech jobs invented here but now done in Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, etc.

RecChief said...

"Nor is the union content merely to let government and company officials silence opposing voices; they are perfectly willing to do it themselves the old-fashioned way.

Friday night, as some anti-union workers were handing out pamphlets, union organizers sent texts to their supporters ordering them to intercept and seize the material.

The first text read:

“Plz gather "ALL COPIES" of info @ gate today.”

The second clarified where the order had originated:

“The last msg was sent and approved by UAW. No one else”

Sure enough, union hacks attempted to confiscate and destroy the pamphlets, but fled when exposed.

Back-room deals, intimidation, deceit in pursuit of power. This is the UAW way, the Detroit way, and it’s coming to Chattanooga."

-Matt Patterson

gerry said...

One good typo deserves another.

Well, I am a bad typist, after all. And, yes, soaking German MUST BE evacative.

What the hell else could it be? :>)

Michael said...

Garage: The Chattanooga plant was on the verge of doubling in size when the NLRB flap over the Dreamliner was in the news. The Germans built in Mexico instead. There is zero chance that the plant in Tennessee will vote to unionize.

Curious George said...

Hey Bob, I live in Milwaukee. Miller is an important employer and supporter of the community. So why don't you go fuck off.

harrogate said...

Clint Eastwood and Bob Dylan walk into a bar.....

garage mahal said...

. There is zero chance that the plant in Tennessee will vote to unionize.

What makes you so sure?

William said...

The last thing I want to see in a Victoria Secret ad is Bob Dylan.

Gerrard787 said...

Bob Dylan shilling for the Chrysler 200? The only ones salivating over that non-contender of a vehicle is Avis, National and Budget.

Michael said...

Garage. Working conditions are excellent and the pay is good. The Germans are more generous than the Japanese and the Japanese won such an election by 2 to 1 the last UAW try. For the most part southeners feel they can negotiate their own wages.

Chef Mojo said...

For the most part southeners feel they can negotiate their own wages.

Which is why southern states tend to be Right To Work states.

a psychiatrist who learned from veterans said...

'Watch you parking meters!' When the commercial started out, 'What's more American than America?' I said 'Yugoslavia?' My bad.

Unknown said...
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