Anyone else notice the trend in recent years (I think I first saw it in a
Maleficent trailer, but it seems to be in
a lot of commercials now as well) of a somewhat popular, known song - even a 60's or 70's rock classic - reworked into a plodding, minor-key dirge with just a sparse piano and an aching female vocal (always a wispy, aching female vocalist, apparently on the verge of tears and a mental breakdown).
I see/hear this quite a bit, in both movie trailers and commercials. Also used in promos for Serious & Edgy™ TV shows (streaming or network), I've recently noticed.
I guess it's to evoke moodiness, but, as with all trends/tropes, it's reached the point of tired-ass, overdone cliché. Every time I hear that grim tinkling piano in the opening seconds of a commercial or movie trailer, I know what's coming.
"Here we go...".
Always interesting to see what songs are given this treatment. Color me impressed if/when "Whip It" and "Rock Around the Clock" ever make the cut.
