What's the premise of "Halo"?

Search: halo

Why: We were just watching some commercial, and some guy on it looked like Iron Man, and I said, "Is that a Power Ranger?" and Chandler said, "That's Halo," and I asked if Halo was a person?, because I guess I always thought of it ("Halo") as some sort of place or universe or something, and he said he didn't really know... I think that brings us up to speed.

Answer: This is as much as I'm willing to read at this hour. You guys, I was woken up at 7:30 CST this morning because Sadie was catching a lizard, and then I went on 2 airplanes and to 3 airports, and now it's 12:30 PST...

In the past, an intelligent race called The Forerunners used their advanced technology to protect life, but were caught off-guard by an alien parasite known as the Flood. The Flood, which spread through infestation of sentient life, threatened and overran many worlds in the galaxy before the Forerunners could attempt to contain the threat. A group of Forerunners conceived a final solution—using an installation known as the Ark, they built seven large ring-shaped megastructures known as Halos. The Halo Array, when activated, would destroy all sentient life in the galaxy—depriving the Flood of their food. Delaying as long as they could, the Forerunners finally activated the rings and disappeared.

Here's the "Halo Array," I think:

Source: Wikipedia

The More You Know: Speaking of getting up at dawn, here is Ben's new favorite song. Get it out of your head!

What's the song on the Vitamin Water Zero Glow commercial?

Search: vitamin water zero

Why: I just saw it during "GLEE." There's a frog or toad in it. The lyrics and voices sound French, like Stereolab.

Answer: It's Stereolab! The song is is "Lo Boob Oscillator" from the 1995 album Refried Ectoplasm, which I owned at some point in my life but haven't seen in years. Buy it here on iTunes.

Maybe you also know that song because it's in High Fidelity. Remember? Caroline Fortis asks, "Is this Stereolab?"

Source: Yahoo! Answers, Popisms

The More You Know: A better album is Emperor Tomato Ketchup. I bet you would like this song, "Cybele's Reverie."

Did someone really propose in the food court of the CNN building?

Search: cnn food court

Why: On Facebook:

Edie - Were you eating in the food court when Train helped the guy propose to his girlfriend?
Rebecca - no!! I think it happened Sunday because I had no idea!! I wish I had been!!
Edie - Eric knows a guy who was sitting and eating in the back ground of the clip that was on cnn.com and works there.

At first, I thought they were talking about this food court marriage proposal, which I saw on the Internets around Valentine's Day and then on ABC News this morning:

Answer: Yep! It was a soldier, and he had the band Train sing the song "Marry Me" to help him out. WHAT! At 8:48 -

Source: CNN.com

The More You Know: All this talk of public proposals is making me thirsty.

What is Paradise Circus?

Search: Paradise Circus

Why: On PostSecret:

-----Email-----
Paradise Circus

Answer: It's a song by Massive Attack! Listen here:

Did you know that the opening theme to "House" is by Massive Attack? It's called "Teardrop."

Source: YouTube

The More You Know: The image of that postcard is labeled "pinkmoonsmine." "Pink Moon" is by Nick Drake, who died in 1974 at age 26. Maybe you remember that song from this awesome Volkswagen Cabrio commercial from 1999:

Who sings the song in the Chevy Traverse commercial?

Search: it's raining but i love the rain

Why: I always want the lyrics to be "I walk the line."

Answer: A band called The Real Tuesday Weld! It's called "I Love the Rain." Buy it here on iTunes - the one you want is on the album Where Psyche Meets Cupid.

Lyrics go like:

It's raining
It's pouring
But I ain't complaining
'Cause I love the rain

Source: YouTube

The More You Know: Do you know who Tuesday Weld is? She is kind of the only reason I bothered to blog this. I first Googled her after I saw Once Upon a Time in America - one of my favorite movies ever - but I later saw her play jaded Maria in the adaptation of Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays, which is a pretty good book that I had to read for grad school. She was also in a movie called I Walk the Line. WHAT!

She was born Aug. 27, 1943, which was exactly 4 years before my dad's birthday.

I want to watch a "Freedent's the one" commercial

Search: freedent's the one

Why: When I used to play Sonic the Hedgehog all the time way back in 1991 or 2, Jay always said the music in the Labyrinth Zone was the same as the "Freedent's the One" song.

Answer: Hahah omg it totally is. At :07 and :14:

Source: Youtube

The More You Know: and :54:

What's the song in the new Target commercial?

Search: i've got a mad little crush on you

Why: I just saw that ad. It's catchy.

Answer: "Hey Na Na" by Katie Herzig! Buy it here on iTunes!

Source: Youtube

The More You Know: Lyrics go like:

I've got a little secret too
I've got a mad little crush on you
I wonder if you notice, wonder if you see
I wonder if you ever want to dance with me
We shall never talk about such things, such things

And oh, before you go, before you go
Let me just take one last glance love
Oh, before you go, before you go
Could you tell me what's my chance love

What's the song in the new Nike commercial?

Search: nobody the office

Why: In the season premiere of "The Office," they lip synched (sanched?) and danced to that song. I thought it was old, but now it's in a Nike commercial. What gives?!

Answer: It's "Nobody But Me" by The Human Beinz! The song was originally released in 1968 as a reworking of a song that had been originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1963. This version has also been in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and The Depahted.

Here's the Isley Brothers version:

Source: Idolator

The More You Know: Were you just wondering if the Isley Brothers were really brothers, they were:

• O'Kelly "Kelly" Isley (1937-1986)
• Rudolph "Rudy" Isley (b. 1939)
• Ronald "Ronnie" Isley (b. 1941)
• Vernon Isley (1942-1955; at 13, he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle)
• Ernie Isley (b. 1952)
• Marvin Isley (1953-2010)
  

and their cousin

• Chris Jasper (b. 1951)
  

The Righteous Brothers were not really brothers, but one of their real last name was Medley.

What's the song on the new Ford Explorer commercial?

Search: jonsi

Why: I just saw it. I know that song, wink.

Answer: "Go Do" by Jónsi (the lead singer of Sigur Ros, durr)! It's from his solo album Go, which is very good airplane music. Buy it here on iTunes!

Source: Amazon

The More You Know: Most of these lyrics happen to be in English, so here are the ones you might be looking fo:

Go sing too loud
Make your voice break - sing it out
Go scream, do shout
Make an earthquake

You will survive, will never stop wonders
You and sunrise will never fall under

Who sings the Christmas carols on the Hyundai commercials?

Search: hyundai christmas carols

Why: They sing "Jingle Bells" (for the Santa Fe), "Up on the Housetop" (for the Sonata), and "Deck the Halls" (for the Genesis). The girl looks kind of familiar. She harmonizes with herself like Mary Ford.

Answer: It's the band Pomplamoose! Those people are Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte.

Source: Answers.com

The More You Know: That is what all their videos look like. Buy their songs on iTunes right here and/or their "videosongs" right here.

Who sings the song on the Target Christmas commercial?

Search: "perfect christmas time" "tiny tree" target

Why: I keep seeing it.

Answer: Guster! Remember them from 10th grade? The song is called "Tiny Tree Christmas."

You can download the full version for free here on the Target website. Or listen to it here:

Source: The Blue Walrus

The More You Know: Lyrics go like:

Comes along just once a year
On winter's wings, December's rear (?)
Ah humbug faces come and dear
And then appears at perfect Christmas time
A tiny tree, Christmas
Tinsel, the lights, a star that sings
Top your tiny tree

Maybe "atop." Those lyrics are weird.

What's the song in the commercial for Pleasures Bloom by Estee Lauder?

Search: pleasures bloom estee song

Why: It was just on. How charming!

Answer: "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor! It's from the 2006 album Begin to Hope. Buy it here on Amazon or iTunes!

Source: AnswerBag

The More You Know: The thing in the commercial is kind of mixed together, I think. Real lyrics go like:

I hear in my mind all these words
I hear in my mind all this music
And it breaks my heart

Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my own fall
Just to break my fall

What song is on the "Skins" commercial?

Search: skins sleigh bells

Why: I have been watching a "16 & Pregnant" marathon and keep seeing this "reverse party" ad. "Skins" will premiere on MTV Jan. 17th. I know that song.

Skins - MTV Shows

Answer: "Kids" by Sleigh Bells!

I don't know the lyrics.

Source: Amazon

The More You Know: MTV "Skins" is an adaptation of the popular British teen drama. Let's get serious: I will probably watch it.

Who sings the song on the LG Optimus T commercial?

Search: "we sailed on a winter's day"

Why: It sounds like a little kid at first, but I don't think it is.

Answer: Joanna Newsom! Ew, that's what she sounds like? I guess I never heard her before. The song is called "Bridges and Balloons." Buy it here on iTunes.

Joanna Newsom - Bridges and Balloons
Uploaded by chloegc. -

Lyrics go like:

We sailed away on a winter's day
with fate as malleable as clay;
but ships are fallible, I say,
and the nautical, like all things, fades

And I can recall our caravel:
a little wicker beetle shell
with four fine maste and lateen sails,
its bearings on Cair Paravel

Source: BentClouds

The More You Know: Horf. Remember when Joanna Newsom was in that MGMT video with the kid and those giant zombie bugs?

What's the song on the new Reese's commercial?

Search: (i already know this one)

Why: I just saw it. The cups come together like gears and it says, "How do you know when chocolate and peanut butter are combined perfectly?"

Answer: "Excuses" by The Morning Benders, some of my ATFs!! I saw them live not a month ago, and they were amazin fruit. Buy the awesome album Big Echo right here.

And that just happens to be my favorite song.

Source: my memory bank

The More You Know: Look how cute they are. Who remembers my high school boyfriend Scott? #3 reminds me of him.

I want to see the T-Mobile commercial with Carly

Search: carly ad t-mobile

Why: I haven't seen it - I moved this past weekend and the cable guy just came this morning - but people have been searching for it and landing on my blog:

So I did a little research, and I found this:

Last night T-Mobile launched the marketing campaign to promote their new 4G network, which features a girl introducing herself as “The new T-Mobile myTouch 4G.” It is clearly a take on the ”I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads that were running last year and just like Apple, T-Mobile will also turn them into a series.

Many of our readers enjoyed the ad and thought it was funny, but a lot of people wanted to know who was the female actress playing the myTouch 4G girl. We asked T-Mobile for some info and they responded, “Her name is Carly and you’ll be seeing more of her in upcoming 4G ads.”

Full disclosure: This really only interests me because my name is also Carly.

Answer: Yawn:

Source: Android and Me

The More You Know: Her full name is Carly Foulkes, and she's been modeling for Ralph Lauren Rugby and Big Pony for a while. Here are some photos:

What's the song in the Subaru Legacy commercial?

Search: subaru "i wanted love"

Why: I'm pretty sure it's by The Black Keys.

Answer: It totally is! It's called "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys. Buy it on iTunes here.

Lyrics go like:

I wanted love, I needed love
Most of all, most of all
Someone said true love was dead
but I'm bound to fall
Bound to fall for you
Oh what can I do?

Source: YouTube

The More You Know: Do you know that song "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells? I first heard it on the Soul Spectacular 4 disc set that I swiped from my dad. He sounds like Jimmy Fallon:

Where was Orangina first made?

Search: orangina

Why: Eliza told Corbett that French people pronounce it to rhyme with "vagina." A French guy on the Métro said that's wrong. Lisa brought me back a giant Orangina from Italy. The bottle had an orange [the fruit] thing in the top of it.

Answer: France! By a Spanish pharmacist! And it was first sold in Algeria!

1935 - At the Marseilles Trade Fair, a Spanish pharmacist, Dr. Trigo, presents his new invention, Naranjina, a sparkling and natural drink made of orange juice and pulp. Seduced by the recipe, Leon Beton buys the concept and launches it on the Algerian market.

1951 - Jean Claude Beton, who took over the company from his father in 1947, creates "La Compagnie Française des produits Orangina" at Boufarik, in Algeria.He starts producing Orangina for France, where the product reawakens the joys of summer and the youthful spirit that blossomed after World War II.

What fun sexy ads!

Source: Orangina.eu

The More You Know: Watch this f-ing crazy 2007 advert to hear how exactly the French pronounce it. Also, what is your favorite part? Mine is the lapdancing octopus with boobs.

What's the song in the Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid commercial?

Search: hybrid sleigh bells

Why: I am rewatching Sharktopus, and it's all up in there.

Answer: "Riot Rhythm" by Sleigh Bells!

I won't lie to you - the truth is that I already knew it was them. In fact, I listened to their album Treats both last night and this morning. It took some getting used to (in June, I told Ashley it was too noisy), but it's pretty good!

Source: Paste Magazine

The More You Know: I thought Sleigh Bells was a bunch of girls, but turns out it is just 2 peeps: Derek E. Miller (songwriter, guitarist, producer) and Alexis Krauss (vocals). Here is probably my favorite song from that record, "Rill Rill":

Keep thinking about every straight face yes
Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces

What is the song on the "Life as We Know It" trailer?

Search: life as we know it trailer song

Why: It popped in my head on Saturday, and I knew I knew it. I was listening to every song on my computer trying to find it. I listened to every single song on:

Gorilla Manor - Local Natives
Forget - Twin Shadow
Work - Shout Out Louds
Odd Blood - Yeasayer

In general, things Kylie had put into my box.net... but to no avail.

But then I saw this trailer (at 1:30)!!!

Answer: "Moth's Wings" by Passion Pit!!!!!!!!! I knew I knew it!!!!!! Oh god. Oh god oh god. Full song (buy it here):

Source: AOL Radio Blog

The More You Know: Maybe you remember their song "Sleepyhead" from that Palm Pixi commercial and "Let Your Love Grow Tall" from some episode of "Ugly Betty" (RIP).

Lyrics to "Moth's Wings" go like:

But you run away from me
And you left me shimmering
Like diamond wedding rings
Spinning dizzily down on the floor

You're just like your father
Buried deep under the water
You're resting on your laurels
And stepping on my toes