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Advertisers of the GEICO Motorcycle TV Spot, 'Gary Plays Hooky' Song by Canned Heat

GEICO Motorcycle TV commercial - Gary Plays Hooky
GEICO

What is GEICO?GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is an American auto insurance company headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It was founded in 1936 by Leo Goodwin Sr. and his wife Lillia...

What the GEICO Motorcycle TV commercial - Gary Plays Hooky is about.

GEICO Motorcycle TV commercial - Gary Plays Hooky

In the GEICO Motorcycle TV spot titled 'Gary Plays Hooky', the iconic rock and roll band Canned Heat provides the perfect soundtrack for a high-energy ride. The spot opens with Gary, a mild-mannered office worker, staring out the window wistfully as his coworkers busy themselves with their work. Suddenly, he makes a decision - he's going to play hooky.

Gary races down the stairs, tearing off his work clothes as he goes, revealing his motorcycle outfit underneath. The scene cuts to him riding his motorcycle at high speed through the city streets, with the unmistakable sound of Canned Heat's song 'On the Road Again' blasting in the background.

As Gary zips through traffic, we see snippets of his day: he visits a motorcycle dealership, gets his hair cut, and even goes parasailing. All the while, the catchy tune of 'On the Road Again' plays on, perfectly capturing the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with a motorcycle ride.

The spot culminates with Gary returning home, feeling energized and alive after his day of freedom. As he walks into his apartment, he doesn't notice his boss standing behind him enquiring about his office work. In a nod to the absurdity of the situation, the narrator remarks: "Bosses don't take hooky well. We're on to you, Gary."

Overall, the GEICO Motorcycle TV spot is a fun and lighthearted celebration of motorcycle culture, with a catchy soundtrack provided by one of rock and roll's most iconic bands. The combination of high-speed riding, fun activities, and great music is sure to get anyone's adrenaline pumping and inspire a sense of adventure.

GEICO Motorcycle TV commercial - Gary Plays Hooky produced for GEICO was first shown on television on July 23, 2017.

Song from commercial GEICO Motorcycle TV Spot, 'Gary Plays Hooky' Song by Canned Heat

"Going Up the Country" is a song by the American blues rock band Canned Heat. It was released in 1968 and became one of their most popular and well-known songs. The song is often associated with the Woodstock music festival, as it was performed by Canned Heat during their set at the festival in 1969.

Origins and StyleThe song is an adaptation of the traditional blues song "Bull Doze Blues" by Henry Thomas , which was recorded in the 1920s. Canned Heat took inspiration from Thomas' song and reworked it into their own version, adding their own unique style and sound. The band's version of "Going Up the Country" has a distinct boogie-woogie feel and features a prominent flute melody, which sets it apart from many other blues rock songs of the time.

Lyrics and MeaningThe lyrics of "Going Up the Country" are relatively simple and convey a sense of longing for a simpler and freer lifestyle. The song's opening lines, "I'm going up the country, babe, don't you wanna go? / I'm going up the country, babe, don't you wanna go?", express a desire to escape the constraints of urban life and head towards the countryside. The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a call for a return to nature and a rejection of the materialism and conformity of modern society.

Woodstock and Cultural SignificanceCanned Heat's performance of "Going Up the Country" at the Woodstock festival helped solidify the song's place in music history. The band's energetic and memorable performance, along with the song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics, resonated with the audience and became one of the standout moments of the festival. The song came to be seen as an anthem for the counterculture movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which sought to challenge societal norms and embrace a more free-spirited and communal way of life.

Legacy and Influence"Going Up the Country" remains one of Canned Heat's most enduring and beloved songs. Its infectious melody and positive message have made it a favorite among fans of blues rock and folk rock alike. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years and continues to be a popular choice for live performances. Its association with Woodstock and the counterculture movement has helped cement its status as a cultural touchstone of the era.

Overall, "Going Up the Country" is a classic song that captures the spirit of the late 1960s and continues to resonate with audiences to this day. Its timeless message of seeking freedom and connection with nature has made it a beloved song for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions about geico motorcycle tv spot, 'gary plays hooky' song by canned heat

Frederick Lawrence Frederick features on GEICO's Motorcycle Insurance commercial.

Jake Dylan Wood (born 12 July 1972) is a British actor, best known in his native United Kingdom for playing Max Branning in long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders and in the United States as the voice of the GEICO gecko.

The idea for the Gecko grew from a creative session at GEICO's ad agency, the Martin Agency in Richmond, Virginia. The name "GEICO" was often mispronounced "Gecko," and as the brainstorming began, a quick doodle of a gecko appeared.

the Government Employees Insurance Company In 1936, he put that plan into action, establishing the Government Employees Insurance Company - the company known and loved today as GEICO. Few people realize that GEICO was initially targeted to federal employees and certain categories of enlisted military officers.

Geico's famous slogan, "Fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance," said by its gecko mascot, is now a part of American culture. In 2020, it announced a switch to a new slogan: "GEICO: Real service, real savings."

Geckos are mostly small, usually nocturnal reptiles with a soft skin. They also possess a short stout body, a large head, and typically well-developed limbs. The ends of each limb are often equipped with digits possessing adhesive pads.

The Gecko was thought up because Geico was often pronounced as gecko. The icon of advertising started selling insurance in 1999 and was inducted to the Madison Avenue Walk of Fame six years later, in 2005. Since then, he has become one of the most well-known advertising icons because of his relatability.

GEICO was established by Leo and Lillian Goodwin in 1936. It was initially called the Government Employees Insurance Company, which reflected its target audience of federal employees and certain groups of active military officers.

From Charming Reptile to Advertising Icon Based on the day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis), the GEICO Gecko is thought to be a mash up of several different types of squamate reptiles. Geckos are small and live in warm climates.

Government Employees Insurance Company. Puzzled, are you? Well, the name goes back to the beginnings of the company. Founder Leo Goodwin first targeted a customer base of U.S. government employees and military personnel.

the day gecko Based on the day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis), the GEICO Gecko is thought to be a mash up of several different types of squamate reptiles. Geckos are small and live in warm climates.

Government Employees Insurance Company What does GEICO stand for? Government Employees Insurance Company. Puzzled, are you? Well, the name goes back to the beginnings of the company. Founder Leo Goodwin first targeted a customer base of U.S. government employees and military personnel.

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Actors who starred in GEICO Motorcycle TV Spot, 'Gary Plays Hooky' Song by Canned Heat

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Michael J. Sielaff photo
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GEICO Motorcycle Insurance
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