Heineken "The Date"
This may seem a bit weird to many of my readers, but so be it. I am often intrigued by the obtuse and strange. The new Heineken ad, titled 'The Date' is a legendary date in action and highlights some interesting music as its backdrop. The video is here:
I found it interesting that the video appears to be taking place somewhere in China and yet the music is some strange Hindi song being sung by a fusion Ventures Rock and Jazz Band. So I had to know what the source of the video's song was and I was able to discover it. I discovered, this song came out in 1965 and sounds like a combination of a Hindi Movie song made by the Ventures who just happened to get together with one of the big bands from the 1950's and was sung in a mysterious Hindi language.
So why an Indian ballad in Chinese Restaurant, I cannot answer this. But if you watch the original video you might see some of the inspiration that Quentin Tarantino may have found for 'Pulp Fiction' and "Kill Bill." The masks in the video remind me of the "Batman" series that was so over the top campy in the sixties in America. I didn't have the chance to experience this back in 1965 but I thought I'd share it with you all anyway.
The song's video was shot in a disco and features Laxmi Chhaya. The song also appears in the opening credits of the 2001 movie Ghost World. In an interview, Ghost World writer Daniel Clowes mentions that he obtained his 20th generation copy of the scene from someone who had been housesitting for Peter Holsapple, guitarist and songwriter for The dB's, and he copied it from Peter's collection. Then they approached the sons of the producers and acquired the rights to use the song in the movie. The Ghost World DVD features the entire music video from the movie.
The song, with similar costumes and choreography, also appears in the Cullberg Ballet's rendition of Ekman’s Triptych.
Here are the Hindi lyrics with literal translation in the brackets.
"Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho,
Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churao,
Naam To Batao.. (2)"
I found it interesting that the video appears to be taking place somewhere in China and yet the music is some strange Hindi song being sung by a fusion Ventures Rock and Jazz Band. So I had to know what the source of the video's song was and I was able to discover it. I discovered, this song came out in 1965 and sounds like a combination of a Hindi Movie song made by the Ventures who just happened to get together with one of the big bands from the 1950's and was sung in a mysterious Hindi language.
So why an Indian ballad in Chinese Restaurant, I cannot answer this. But if you watch the original video you might see some of the inspiration that Quentin Tarantino may have found for 'Pulp Fiction' and "Kill Bill." The masks in the video remind me of the "Batman" series that was so over the top campy in the sixties in America. I didn't have the chance to experience this back in 1965 but I thought I'd share it with you all anyway.
The song's video was shot in a disco and features Laxmi Chhaya. The song also appears in the opening credits of the 2001 movie Ghost World. In an interview, Ghost World writer Daniel Clowes mentions that he obtained his 20th generation copy of the scene from someone who had been housesitting for Peter Holsapple, guitarist and songwriter for The dB's, and he copied it from Peter's collection. Then they approached the sons of the producers and acquired the rights to use the song in the movie. The Ghost World DVD features the entire music video from the movie.
The song, with similar costumes and choreography, also appears in the Cullberg Ballet's rendition of Ekman’s Triptych.
"Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho,
Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churao,
Naam To Batao.. (2)"
(If I knew you, living would be easy.
All you heart-stealers, don’t hide your eyes too
at least tell me your name.)
"Aaj Ki Yeh Shaam Javan, Yun Na Chali Jaaye,
Phir Se Na Aayegi Yeh Kisi Ke Bulaaye"
All you heart-stealers, don’t hide your eyes too
at least tell me your name.)
"Aaj Ki Yeh Shaam Javan, Yun Na Chali Jaaye,
Phir Se Na Aayegi Yeh Kisi Ke Bulaaye"
(May this wonderful evening, Not pass unavailed,
For it will not return on anyone’s call)
"Bolo Yeh Na Bolo Tum, Hogaye Ishaare,
Seedhi Seedhi Chot Huyi Dil Pe Humaare.."
For it will not return on anyone’s call)
"Bolo Yeh Na Bolo Tum, Hogaye Ishaare,
Seedhi Seedhi Chot Huyi Dil Pe Humaare.."
(Whether you speak or not, your message is clear,
The hard blow fell Right on my heart)
"Chup Chup Dekha Dekhi, Nazaren Diwani,
Zara Si Yeh Baat Ban Jaaye Na Kahani.."
The hard blow fell Right on my heart)
"Chup Chup Dekha Dekhi, Nazaren Diwani,
Zara Si Yeh Baat Ban Jaaye Na Kahani.."
(Stolen glances, Impassioned looks,
Let this small matter Not become a huge tale)
Let this small matter Not become a huge tale)
posted by Wonji Dharma at
October 04, 2011
5 Comments:
I love it. I too was intrigued by the song and was hoping to find more information on the band in the commercial, only to find that they were acting. The video from 1965 is awesome!
I have been obsessed by the energy and Quentin Tarantino vibe of the commercial. So I checked out the original video, thanks to you and am now completely transfixed. Thank you.
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This is a really good example of a cultural phenomenon I call "cultural reflection" where a culture reflects aspects of another culture and that reflection is reflected back to the source culture. Jan Pehechan Ho and another catchy Bollywood tune called Eena Meena Deeka were directly influenced by Rock & Roll from the US. This and the Tarantino references reflect back these reflections. Since each reflection features some distortion of the reflected, the result is always cool and interesting
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