News

White Stripes Unhappy With Air Force Super Bowl Commercial

8:26 a.m. · February 9, 2010 · by Nick Neyland

The U.S. Air Force Reserves issued this video clip during the Super Bowl on Sunday (Feb. 7), which was clearly based on the White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With a Girl.” The news has angered the band, who weren’t asked to approve the commercial before it aired, and have subsequently left a statement on the official Third Man Records website.

"We believe our song was re-recorded and used without permission of the White Stripes, our publishers, label or management,” they said. “The White Stripes take strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserve's presenting this advert with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support."

"The White Stripes support this nation’s military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them. We simply don’t want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict, and hope for a safe and speedy return home for our troops. We have not licensed this song to the Air Force Reserve and we plan to take strong action to stop the ad containing this music.”

The band has also posted a side-by-side comparison between the two clips, making the similarity painfully apparent. Jack White clearly doesn’t approve of having his songs licensed by commercials—he previously struck out at Coke Zero for using his soundtrack music to “Another Way to Die.”

[via Gigwise]