For the first time in his 47-year career, Bob Dylan is allowing one of his songs to be used in an advertisement. The song, 1963’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” will appear in an ad for The Co-operative, a company based in the UK that runs multiple jointly owned businesses. Gigwise reports Dylan’s iconic song will be used for the company’s funeral and legal services.
A spokesperson for Dylan said that The Co-operative’s ethical stance convinced him to allow them to use his song. The company’s website outlines said ethics extensively, including their emphasis on wind and solar power, democratic business leadership, and a dedication to “openness.”
Dylan has made surprising appearances in commercials before, including a somewhat creepy Victoria’s Secret ad and a commercial for the Cadillac Escalade. He even appeared on an episode of Dharma and Greg once. Indeed, his spokesperson emphasized that his choice to let his song be used commercially for the first time was meant to be part of this legacy “on surprising people, on people not being able to second-guess him.”
Let’s hope his next “surprise” isn’t an appearance on American Idol.