It’s an unlikely trio of artist that are helping get Converse’s centennial celebration underway. Maybe not the pairing of Pharrell and Santogold — actually it’s somewhat surprising that this is their first project together — but Strokes lead man Julian Casablancas is a bit more leather jackets than colored prints, and besides he’s been mute since giving us a third chance at First Impressions…, seemingly happy to let Albert Hammond, Jr. singlehandedly keep the Stokes name on people’s lips. The fashion of Chuck Taylor compels them, though, to join forces for the promo campaign tagged, rather descriptively, Three Artists, One Song. Truth in advertising. The One Song is “My Drive Thru,” a single-riffed blend that laces up elements of Pharrell, Santi & Julian’s day jobs into a perfectly produced summertime pop cocktail.
There’s gonna be a video soon, too, and Converse is keeping the centennial campaign rolling with the help of Kid Sister, YACHT, Bradford Cox, members of Gallows, Fiery Furnaces, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, and Care Bears on Fire.
You Might Also Like
 Pearl Jam Twenty: Temple Of The Dog Reunites, Vedder And… |  Stereogum Presents… STROKED: A Tribute To Is This It |  Julian Casablancas Covers Buddy Holly |  80 Other Bands With Official Sneakers |
 |
 |
Leave a Reply
Sign in Sign in with FacebookYou must be logged in to post, reply to, or rate a comment.
Meh…sounds like a song for a shoe commercial, nothing more nothing less
Have you guys seen this? http://www.biglegalmessrecords.com/main.htm
I clocked this ad in a magazine the other day. I lol’ed so hard when I saw Bradford Cox sandwiched between all the “hot” people. Motherfucker’s too emaciated and spiry to even be in a ’90s Calvin Klein shoot, so who thought it would be a good idea to include him here?
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Is Pharrell picking at a wedgie in that photo?
fun! i think.
I’ve lost all respect for Santogold. This is just horrible.
What, the Bud commercial wasn’t enough..?
Dogshit.
Hmm. I like it.
What a flaming pile of shit.
It IS awful but Julian has to keep busy. As Albert goes forth with his spectacularly mediocre solo stuff, Julian has to do something……..
the part where julian chimes sounds a little like Prince’s “1999″. I’m a fan of each of these artists (especially The Strokes), but for now I like it but I might need to let it grow on me before I LOVE it (if I ever do).
and to the poster above, why have you lost all respect for Santogold? This isn’t a complete departure from anything she’s done before. Besides, she’s gotta pay the bills someway, since most of the folks “buzzing” about her album just downloaded that shit off Limewire.
it is a let down, but i think it’s because i expected something as good as “say aha” or “12:51″ (no pharrell’s song because i don’t like pharrell)
jules sale realmente bien!!
quiero ver ya las demas foto…
ByE!!
This is just awful. It’s just a mess and a bunch of talented people on their D game (though Pharrell has been there for years now). I guess they took the money and saved their good stuff for their own records.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…I can’t wait to hear the remix on the dance floor. xoxo ML
that song should be no longer than the 30 second TV spot.
wow thanks for the big legal mess link, thats some dope zhit
Not as bad as I was expecting, yet not that great either. Good idea in theory but I think there was just too much going on. Though my instincts tell me not to hold Santi or Julian responsible.
This is embarrassing, not the song or the fact that it’s on the ad, just the probable forced organization of these artists to create a decidedly alternative-leaning uhh shoe-rock (new genre?) track… I could careless about the “selling-out” part, just the fact that they’re actually making a song out of it.. Yeah I couldn’t understand a word of it either.. I’m done complaining
I find these comments to be dissapointing because they seemed formed without hearing this song. who cares who payed for it, these artists lost their egos to create an interesting pop song. this song is good, plain and simple.
Julian’s voice sounds interesting in this sonic context… as a song, it’s meh, but as an interesting “what if?”, it’s intriguing.
Unless he decides that the fourth Strokes album is gonna sound like this. Then… oy.
That whole 3 people 4 feet thing definitly trips me out. Not a fan.
@name at
Are we listening to the same song? A disjointed incongruent mess it is. There is nothing redeeming about it. It sounds like four different uninspired tracks unconvincingly mashed together. Generic lyrics that encourage “dance” and mentions of summer just seem like an obvious dull ploy to get some summertime airplay.
I think songs for shoe companies are capable of being decent if not good. The Karen O. and Squeak E. Clean song “Hello Tomorrow” that was recorded for a Spike Jonze directed Adidas commercial while not astounding it certainly isn’t embarrassing.
Psyop is making the video. At least that will probably be cool ?
I like it.
Better than I expected
Julian Casablancas kinda ruins it, but Pharrel and Santogold sound dope! I think it’ll grow on me
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, oh julian where did you go wrong.
AFTER ROOM ON FIRE THATS WHEN!
this is balls.
I don’t know but its just ok…. it seems kinda catchy
This is pretty horrible, which is a shame because Casablancas and Santogold (can’t vouch for Pharrell) have churned out some pretty good stuff on their own. Basically no redeeming features here…it’s essentially one musical idea that gets old after about eight seconds, and the rest is just clunky filler.
I swear I can here Radio Ga-Ga in there…
Not complete droppings but utterly forgettable.
I’m joining those of the ‘meh’ disposition.
I swear I can here Radio Ga-Ga in there…
Not complete droppings but utterly forgettable.
I’m joining those of the ‘meh’ disposition.
I think it’s an admirable risk to take putting these 3 contrasting artists together.
Kind of agree that it belongs in a 30 sec shoe ad, but the concept of putting such different artists together is that of a good one and should be attempted more in such a ‘place safe’ music industry.
peas
everyone is such a “hater” its a fun song. its not a song that’ll change the world. its just a fun song. get over yourselves.
your an idiot, get over YOURself.
I agree… I liked it too! It’s different and a bit weird, but I think it needs a few good listens to realize that it could be fun song to hear at an outdoor summer party.
I love the Julian Casablancas
Sounds like an IPOD commercial… Maybe it’s that case of too much talent in one room to really bring something good together..
Doesn’t make me want to buy shoes or the track.. aw
This sounds great, I’m going to make a breakdance video with this song.
This sounds great, I’m going to make a breakdance video with this song.
A bit disapointed by the song and also by these artists selling their image…
Pharell is not a surprise, but does Julian Casablanca need to do this ?
And don’t forget Converse = Nike = very cheap products but a lot of money burned in marketing and these kinds of commercials…
A bit disapointed by the song and also by these artists selling their image…
Pharell is not a surprise, but does Julian Casablanca need to do this ?
And don’t forget Converse = Nike = very cheap products but a lot of money burned in marketing and these kinds of commercials…
This song is pretty good, it just needs some getting used to.
I love this song. It takes about 3 times to listen to it, and then its awesomeeee
At first I thought it was weird, and not “strokes-like” but then I thought this is one song compiled by pharrell, santogold AND Julian. My expectations were still high though.
However, this song doesn’t dissapoint me. I think its cool.
:D
Like what you like without embarrassment
it was alrite, doesn’t really blow my miind though, but i still luv all of them.
you know it lacks substance when there is just one pure riff repeated way too much!
Wonder how imaginative……(if thats the right word) the video will be.
I dont see why Converse need a mass advertising thing….they are the leaders in overpriced plimsoles.
I think they work as a group- maybe its because their over shadowed by that awful riff.
ah Julian. Did you really have to do this?
his voice is beautiful but it doesn’t sound good in this song. i feel like it’s because of pharrell. please please don’t let the next album sound anything remotely like this.
I actually hated this song when I first heard it.
But I have to admit it really, really grew on me! Now I think it’s one helluva cool track!!
I think it’s because the song is so multilayered. You have to hear it 10+ times before your brain starts to separate each layer.
It’s sooo cool now, even though I was very disappointed and swore to delete the track on the first listens :)
this statement couldn’t be truer. i wonder how many people commented after their first listen as well. i heard it about a week ago and was so disenchanted by the whole thing (what can i say, expectations were high) that i shut the song off halfway through. now after stumbling upon the actual video and hearing the song again, and again, and again … i finally can hear all aspects, appreciate those cocky lyrics and seriously dig this song.
awesome tune.
and just like someone else has already said, love what you love with no shame. your taste is your own.
very catchy. converse made this song for the generation it markets to: the rebellious and the wild. this song fits quite nicely, but takes a few times to listen to for you to decide wherther to love it or knock it. to me it’s like ear candy; very entartaining for a good while, then it loses it’s charm. it will most likely never live on like a rock anthem ever will. as for now, though, i give a thumbs up.
likewise
ppf… not that bad.. but… I hope the strokes will sound just like before on the new album in 2009!
You have got to be kidding me! This song is great! I admit, it does have to grow on you, but now I love it and I listen to it all day. xx
P.S. I also love the Converse Campaign and can’t wait to see what they’ll show next.
Im sensing alot of close-minded people one most likely not being able to appreciate 3 diff genre’s of artists coming together on one song.
OF COURSE it will be a mash up of different sounds..pharrell is a producer that uses spacey like beats for his music and is pretty wealthy off of his company alone outside of being in N.E.R.D or his solo career..Then santogold who is like an upcoming M.I.A joining into with her usual out of the box but catchy aproach then julian…what were u honestly expecting… dont forget its a mash up of them… think Jay-Z and Linkin Park two totally different genres but once that put their heads the album was awesome !
So not to take up for just pharrell or santi or julian…all u pricks that dont like the song..DONT LISTEN TO IT…but u can still buy converse :D
- E
P.S. No need to flame me about my comments, I have a life so you can waste yours worrying about my opinion lol
Why is everyone hating on this song? First of all, it’s good to see Julian doing something. I can’t wait for The Strokes’ fourth album. I think the song is catchy and a nice blend of lots of different genres. It has the rock guitar but still a bit of a hip hop feel. Plus, it seems pretty lame and lazy to dismiss the song as sucking balls if you don’t even back it up. This song is tight.
Quit Hating! This song is tight! At least back up your claims if your going to say the song sucks balls. It’s got the rock guitars but still a hip hop feel. It’s also exciting to see Julian doing something. The Strokes’ fourth album is going to be great!
This song is fun. If you are “losing respect” or “think it’s shit” don’t listen to it. Don’t get all crabby about it.
this record is fucking ace!!!!!!!
I think it is a fun song, better then 97% on the radio and the fact that it is an ad so doesnt matter since its a solid song. The music industry is n major trouble. All the record stores are going under. Even huge names are having trouble making a profilt. Im happy for Santogold she can get some money in her pocket from this. Plus it is for converse. It could be so much worse. i like Santogold, but she isnt as great as all the hype and at this point in her career there is no reason to loose resepect for her…it is a huge deal that Converse asked her to do it. Most music needs to just be enjoyed, dont overthink it or be too judgey..
THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO CAN BE SEEN HERE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_35AVmA7cY
What the others are saying is true, the song grows on you, if you just accept the fact that this is a fun, almost experimental song that is not made to be analysed, just enjoyed. If you are a massive Strokes fan, like me, isn’t it just nice to hear Jules’s amazing voice in something new and different.
A fun song worth a solid listening too with an AMAZING Video
I love the song,
it’s such a shame it’s commercial,
but i don’t care,
cuz music lives in my heart.
where’s the lyric?
Listen to the track, enjoy the music, but buy ethically made shoes. I wrote about chuck alternatives at 85decibels.com
I really love this song. I loveSantogold’s rift
I really love this song. I loveSantogold’s rift
I don’t think it is selling out. Many prominant artists that don’t believe in the whole glamour thing do commercials i.e. Bob Dylan and cadillacs. Julian likes converse. As for Julian keeping busy… it’s true… I just wish he would go to the studio instead of this stuff. Oh yah. Im not a big fan of the song. It’s okay.
I don’t think it is selling out. Many prominant artists that don’t believe in the whole glamour thing do commercials i.e. Bob Dylan and cadillacs. Julian likes converse. As for Julian keeping busy… it’s true… I just wish he would go to the studio instead of this stuff. Oh yah. Im not a big fan of the song. It’s okay.
My younger sister was blasting this on her iPod and I had to actually hear it…It’s a strange song. Not fun, not great, but not as bad as it could be. It’s interesting, but nothing to complete lose your cool over or shout “OMG! It’s so fun! I love this track soooo much!” Just give me my Chucks and leave it at that.
the beat if from superbad
Everyones taking this way to seriously. This song was meant to be for an ad campaign. Maybe even just a fun song to dance too. It’s not supposed to be a monumental, life changing song.
Definitely not the genius of that Devo song for Intel last year…. *LOVED IT*
but I like this song. Its “weirdness” as so many people are calling it is exactly why I find it interesting. Of course I don’t listen to any of these guys (or even know who they are…
aside from the Strokes). So I’m not so emotionally invested I guess.
I’ve been listening to this song for weeks not knowing it was for an ad campaign. I think it’s great, and my opinion hasn’t changed now that I know it’s for Converse.
This song is STILL awesome… and a lot of fun too! I’m a huge fan of all three artists and although I agree I haven’t cared much for Pharell’s stuff of late I’m happy to see him collaborate with 2 other artists that I enjoy immensely. Santo, Julian, & Pharell are the $#!+
Growing up I remember being at hip hop shows wearing chuck taylors. Moving into the rock scene, as I like to keep myself versatile as I am korean and jamaican, I still wore chuck taylors. Whether I was hanging out at CBGB’s or SBSW, chuck taylors have been a huge accent in the music scene. The song is great, the collaboration is great and whether it’s scott wieland or snoop dog wearing them, chuck taylor’s are there in the shot accenting the scene. Be a part of the scene and understand, not as an observer with harsh criticism. They’re comfortable and inexpensive and look great and as an artist, yu can even design yur own pair to match yur clothes. Chuck Taylors rock. These artists rock. Yu may suck but buy a pair, deck it out with some sharpies and walk around and try something different. Fini.