Noel Franus

I'm conducting a little experiment -- I'd like to know what you think about this "Power of Sun" song (MP3 link). According to ZDNet UK, it was about as official of an anthem as it gets when it was produced back in 2003. It's no longer officially "on-brand," but I'm curious to hear your reactions to this. Here's your chance to share.

Three simple questions to this completely unscientific poll:

1. Like it, or disklike it? Why?

2. Can you provide any adjectives to describe this song? (Don't worry, you don't need to be a music expert. Simple adjectives like "energetic," "provocative," or "depressing" work just fine.)

3. Are you employed by Sun? If so, how long have you been with Sun?

That's it -- listen away and let me know what you think by adding a comment. You can identify yourself or post anonymously. Alternatively, you can mail me at noel dot franus at sun dot com and I'll add your comments to the tally.

Polling will stay open until Monday, noon Pacific time, and I'll post the results in the evening. Thanks.

Comments:

Your obviously joking, but I'll play along. I always hated that song. To hear a cover of it is gut wrenching. Not emplyed by Sun, but feel like it.

Posted by Keith Forman on October 19, 2006 at 05:09 AM PDT #

1. Dislike it 2. Adjectives: upbeat, 80s, cheesey 3. Emplyed by Sun: 7 years

Posted by Matt Zellmer on October 19, 2006 at 05:31 AM PDT #

Aaaarrrrgghhh! Well, Dislike, but it must have had some context that made it more bearable, eh? Adjectives (or just free association): Big Hair, stoned, anthematic, unoriginal. Was this Howard Jones or Duran Duran cover?
Actually, this song would be fine for an internal gag, talent show, or presentation about Sun's history, but it's really "startup in the 80s" and Sun isn't a startup any more. Really.
At Sun 6.5 years.

Posted by bruce lee on October 19, 2006 at 07:59 AM PDT #

Posted by bruce lee on October 19, 2006 at 12:04 PM PDT #

2003? Really. . . 1. Ambivalent. Sadly, over the years I have been involved in the making of too many of these kinds of things to dis it too bad. I'm sure somebody somewhere thought It was a terrific idea at the time. I am surprised that it was created in 2003. Are you sure its not 1983?? 2. Adjectives hmmm. . .its hard for me to get past the performance to the song. Stiff is one I would use. Forced. Devoid of feel. . .Scary. . . 3. Are you hiring?

Posted by Rick Waritz on October 19, 2006 at 08:07 PM PDT #

Hey Noel: Just found your blog, How have you been? As far as the Huey cover goes, all I can say is wow!. From my perspective it's a very obvious example of how a known song can completely obscure a brand. The message even if it is on brand is never heard and a conection between brand and consumer is never made because of that initial visceral reaction. I would argue that this is also true of songs where the reaction is positive. Isn't the brand message obscured then as well? Best, Tag

Posted by Tag on October 23, 2006 at 09:09 AM PDT #

As for the anonymous answers, we have a few:

(Non-employees)

It's like the ideas I have for jingles (albeit corny ones) Kraft macaroni!! -sung to the tune of The Macarena
Beef Council "The Meat is On" sung to the tune of Glen Frey's "The Heat is on"
Corny? you bet! But corn sells and it makes ethanol :>)
I think if used in a self deprecating way, these music art forms have value

(Employees)

i think it's totally cheeze and it makes me feel uncofortable like watching my parents dance or something.

wow - i couldn't even get past the half mark.

Where did you find this?

Posted by noel on October 23, 2006 at 10:25 PM PDT #

1. Dislike 2. Cheese, sad, unimaginative, sad, what-the-hell-were-they-thinking? 3. Never employed by Sun Wow, this is amazing and not in a good way. Within about ten seconds, it reminded me of the Oracle Conclave skit by Will Farrell on SNL. It sounds like a cover of 1985, but produced in 1995. To hear it was made in 2003 is mind-blowing sad. There's nothing much worse than taking a song that was awful to begin with, duplicating it almost verbatim without any personalization or irony or creativity or reinterpretation, and then saying "This is me. I'm a duplicate." That's it: How can you have an identity when you're representing yourself as a duplicate? Here's how I see it. Cheese + imitation - interpretation = processed cheese, or cheez whiz (this song) Cheese - age + reinterpretation + personal twist = a fine stilton, cheese with a bite (I Will Survive, by Cake)

Posted by Bill DeRouchey on October 27, 2006 at 08:23 AM PDT #

Oh, one more thing. If you really feel the need to write a corporate anthem, don't mention your competition. Your identity should be more than "I'm not them."

Posted by Bill DeRouchey on October 27, 2006 at 08:29 AM PDT #

1. I like it. It makes me smile. 2. 80s, happy, upbeat, funny, ridiculous 3. No.

Posted by 68.73.93.210 on November 05, 2006 at 09:39 AM PST #