Favorite Thing Friday: iPhone Ad Music

Call me crazy, but I seriously love the piano music featured on recent iPhone commercials. Just the other day, I found the tune wafting through my brain over and over again. There’s nothing quite as lovely as piano music that seems ignite the feeling of hope and joy. They may be trying to sell me a phone, but those little notes inspire me more than a smartphone ever could.

There are two ads circulating with one focusing on the iPhone’s camera and the other showcasing the iPhone’s music application.

My favorite of the two is the first. When I initially heard the music, I wished it could last longer than a minute.

The second ad offers a slight alteration in the melody, giving it a little more energy.  While I love the song, the first is still my favorite!

After doing a little digging, I learned that both pieces were composed by Rob Simonsen, a noted soundtrack composer. His most recent work can be heard on the indie film The Way Way Back. I sampled some of his music on tumblr and was very impressed with the emotional range of his work. Give him a listen at http://robsimonsen.tumblr.com

As it turns out, youtube is full of musicians who love Simonsen’s iPhone ad music as much as I do. A very talented pianist recorded Simonsen’s piece for Photos Every Day, giving listeners a chance to enjoy the music without the background noise of the commercial.

Is this a stupid thing to favorite this week? Probably, but I try to find beauty wherever I can. Even if this is just a commercial jingle, close your eyes and let it in. It will inspire you.

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2013

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The Bells Have Spoken

At precisely 6:45 p.m. on November 12, 2011, the Christmas season officially arrived in my home. I heard the Hershey kisses bells ring in the season with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and I broke out into a huge grin. I love this commercial!! It’s so cute!  I look forward to it every year and I fully intend on seeing it at least fifty times before Christmas actually comes.

The timing couldn’t have been better.  Earlier that day, I did my first round of Christmas shopping. I’m keeping things pretty simple this year as I do most years.  I love the holidays, but hate the hoopla so I tend to buy a few small gifts for those I love.  Like most things in my life, the gifts I give have to mean something or it feels like a lost cause.  I’d rather spend $10 on a gift that speaks personally to someone than spend $100 on something that will be obsolete in five minutes.

My husband and I always host the family Christmas party at our house on Christmas Eve.  After the bells sang, we started planning the games and food.  It’s tradition to play Christmas Bingo combined with a gift swap, open Christmas poppers, and hide the Christmas pickle, but this year we decided to add holiday Mad Libs.  For food, I’m going to make fudge and Hershey kisses peanut butter blossoms (of course!) and my husband is going to make a couple batches of Shepherd’s pie for everyone.  He’s been perfecting his recipe all year! It’s far from a traditional feast, but we like to break the rules.

Starting next week, the Christmas playlist on my iPod is going to get overhauled with new music. Yes, I’m one of those people that loves Christmas music, but I am careful not to annoy other people with it.  Ah, the miracle of personal music players! I can’t wait for Burl Ives, Josh Groban, and Narada to wrap me in holiday bliss.

I don’t need a mall, sales, or shiny wrapping paper to get me in the mood.  Just some ringing chocolate bells and the warmth of the season fills me with cheer.

When do you embrace the holidays?  (Or are you a Grinch?  That’s okay, too!)

c.b. 2011