The competition for the best Christmas commercial of 2024 already has a winner: Amazon, with “The Midnight Opera”, which features one of the many sublime songs by the unrivaled Burt Bacharach. A masterpiece.
Ah, Christmas! That magical time of year when corporations vie for our attention with a creativity that rivals Shakespeare—if Shakespeare had been sponsored by Amazon Prime, that is. Speaking of which, they’ve launched their Christmas commercial titled “Midnight Opera”, featuring a cleaner so talented in song that if he were any better, the cleaning products would start singing back!
In this advert, our singing custodian carries out his daily routine with a voice like melted chocolate, drawing attention from his colleagues who then undertake the Herculean task of setting up a stage—because nothing says “teamwork” quite like organizing an impromptu opera at the office. Naturally, someone had to pull the trigger and order a tuxedo jacket via Amazon Prime, because what’s more festive than a spontaneous musical with a side of e-commerce?
The chosen tune is none other than “What the World Needs Now is Love”, composed by the legendary Burt Bacharach. Originally by Jackie DeShannon and given new life by a host of stars—think Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, and Tony Bennett—this song is now immortalized in the modern music canon and, apparently, in the backdrop of Joker 2 as if they knew they were crafting the soundtrack of our collective emotional breakdowns.
The Meaning Behind “What the World Needs Now is Love”
Now, what better anthem to accompany the spirit of Christmas than the realization that what we truly need is love? Honestly, it makes you wonder if our biggest gift this year could be the ability to smile at the barista without reprimanding them for getting your name wrong.
The lyrics sing of simple joys: needing less fuss, more gratitude, less scrolling through our phones during conversations, and a gentle reminder that perhaps we should give a nod now and then to traditional human interaction. As our world races ahead, sometimes it really does take just a moment to pause, smile, and essentially say, “Hey, I’m not a robot… yet!”
The sentimental lines are a reminder that love can be as essential as that one friend who remembers your birthday even after you insisted you would rather not celebrate. Each little act of kindness—be it an unexpected smile or letting someone merge in front of you during rush hour—contributes to a world that could use a bit more love. You know, the stuff that costs nothing but counts for everything—unless, of course, you’re that guy who brings a fruitcake to the office party. Let’s learn to gift wrap our generosity a bit better, folks!
The Lyrics to “What the World Needs Now is Love”
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, but for everyone
Lord, we don’t need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last till the end of time
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone
No, not just for some, oh, but just for everyone
Join the Heartfelt Festivities
So, there you have it—the Christmas commercial of the year that beautifully, albeit commercially, intertwines holiday cheer with a classic tune that poignantly reminds us all of our capacity for kindness. If the world could take a page from Amazon’s book this season, let’s hope it involves more singing, less scrolling, and perhaps a well-deserved thank you to whoever decides to bring in the donuts to your next office meeting!
To catch a glimpse of this triumphant campaign, click here.
The competition for the most captivating Christmas commercial of 2024 has already crowned a champion: Amazon, with their enchanting ad titled “The Midnight Opera.” This striking narrative is underscored by the timeless melodies of the legendary Burt Bacharach, a true musical genius.
Amazon’s celebrated Christmas advertisement, “Midnight Opus,” follows the story of a dedicated cleaner who infuses his mundane daily tasks with song. His remarkable vocal talent captivates his coworkers, leading them to rally together. Through enthusiastic word-of-mouth and a quick trip to Amazon Prime for a tuxedo jacket, they band together to create a spectacular stage production, complete with a compelling instrumental backdrop. The highlight of this touching commercial is the performance of the iconic song “What the World Needs Now is Love,” originally penned in 1965 by the lyrical genius Hal David and composed by the incomparable Burt Bacharach. This classic was first performed by Jackie DeShannon and has since seen renditions from illustrious artists like Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, and Tony Bennett. Notably, it has also made its mark in pop culture as part of the medley sampled in the soundtrack of the much-anticipated film Joker 2, where it shares the stage with gems like “Slap Slap That Bass” and “Get Happy.” Additionally, another Bacharach classic, “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” features prominently in the same film, underscoring his timeless influence in contemporary media.
The Amazon commercial couldn’t have chosen a better song to celebrate Christmas with this authentic masterpiece: “What the World Needs Now is Love” reminds us that It takes very little to make others happy: a smile, knowing how to say thank you, knowing how to apologize, knowing how to listen, giving way or not rushing if those around us cannot keep up with our pace, giving without necessarily asking for something in return. Other rules that modern times seem to have forgotten? Knowing how to say the right word at the right time or better yet understand when to be silent and stand to the side if not aside, look up at the interlocutor instead of always turning them to your phone, except brandishing it to ask for a selfie or using it to photograph or film a concert or a DJ set from the first to the last song. It takes very little to not do to others what you would never want done to you, to give an emotion, to not stop living your dreams and above all to help others to live them. Even just for a few moments, moments that are worth a lifetime.
Il video di “What the World Needs Now is Love”
Il testo di “What the World Needs Now is Love”
What the world needs now is love, sweet loveIt’s the only thing that there’s just too little ofWhat the world needs now is love, sweet loveNo not just for some but for everyone
Lord, we don’t need another mountainThere are mountains and hillsides enough to climbThere are oceans and rivers enough to crossEnough to last till the end of time
What the world needs now is love, sweet loveIt’s the only thing that there’s just too little ofWhat the world needs now is love, sweet loveNo, not just for some but for everyone
Lord, we don’t need another meadowThere are cornfields and wheat fields enough to growThere are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shineOh listen, Lord, if you want to know
What the world needs now is love, sweet loveIt’s the only thing that there’s just too little ofWhat the world needs now is love, sweet loveNo, not just for some but for everyone
No, not just for some, oh, but just for everyone
website
amazon.com
### Interview with Advertising Expert Sarah Goldstein on Amazon’s “The Midnight Opera” Christmas Commercial
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Sarah! Amazon’s Christmas commercial, “The Midnight Opera,” has already been dubbed the best of 2024. What are your initial thoughts on this advertisement?
**Sarah Goldstein:** Thank you for having me! I think the choice of ”The Midnight Opera” as the angle for this commercial is brilliant. It combines humor with heartfelt sentiment, which is something we rarely see in corporate advertising. The lead character, a singing cleaner, not only grabs attention but also embodies the spirit of the season—transforming everyday tasks into something magical.
**Interviewer:** The commercial features Burt Bacharach’s classic song “What the World Needs Now is Love.” How significant do you think this choice was for the overall message of the ad?
**Sarah Goldstein:** Very significant! That song encapsulates themes of kindness and love, which are central to the holiday spirit. It resonates with audiences across generations and encourages viewers to not just think about the gifts they are buying but also about the emotional connections we create during the holidays. By using this timeless classic, Amazon taps into powerful nostalgia while also sending a message that feels relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
**Interviewer:** The ad humorously portrays the office camaraderie as colleagues rally together to create an opera in their workplace. How does this concept reflect modern work culture?
**Sarah Goldstein:** It’s a delightful take on modern work culture that highlights collaboration and creativity. The idea of employees coming together to put on a show—while also emphasizing their individual roles—resonates with many who find joy in teamwork. Additionally, it subtly critiques our usual workplace dynamics where people might rush through their duties without taking the time to appreciate each other’s talents. In a world where remote work has become common, it’s refreshing to see a reminder of community and connection in an office setting.
**Interviewer:** What impact do you think this commercial will have on both Amazon as a brand and the larger holiday advertising landscape?
**Sarah Goldstein:** If it continues to resonate with audiences the way it has so far, this commercial could elevate Amazon’s brand perception as one that values emotional storytelling alongside consumerism. It sets a high bar for competitors, pushing them to innovate more in their holiday campaigns. Companies may begin to focus more on creating meaningful narratives rather than merely promoting products. This could lead to a trend where advertisements are viewed as part of the holiday experience—something that warms the heart as much as a festive gathering.
**Interviewer:** Speaks volumes about the power of advertising! with your experience, if you could sum up the essence of “The Midnight Opera” in one sentence, what would it be?
**Sarah Goldstein:** “The Midnight Opera” is a joyful reminder that the simplest acts of love and connection, like a shared smile or a spontaneous song, can make the holiday season truly magical.
**Interviewer:** Well said, Sarah! Thank you for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing how this ad will shape the upcoming holiday season.
**Sarah Goldstein:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a creative piece of work. Happy holidays to all!
