Steve Cropper has participated in countless sessions, helping shape our musical landscape with his pen, his guitar and his knack for coaxing out great sessions. As such, he’s heard his songs featured across a dizzying array of platforms.
But one moment, one completely stunning moment, stands out, he says: The time “Green Onions,” the No. 3 1962 hit Cropper co-wrote and recorded with Booker T. and the MGs, was used in a commercial for adult diapers.
Depend optioned the song, leading Cropper to one of his best quips: “It ran for two years,” Cropper says, laughing. “Adult diapers. I’m not going to name the brand, because I’m still waiting for my shipment!”
In the ad, a woman confidently walks through a busy crosswalk — before the voice over reminds customers that the newest Depend-brand products are now available in color.
“If you’re a songwriter, record producer, musician, play on a lot of records, you get to hear your songs in all kind of places — TV shows, and cartoons, kewpie dolls and little silly things,” Cropper adds. “With ‘Midnight Hour,’ at Halloween they had this little black casket. You push the button and lid opens up, and out comes Dracula with these little eyes and he goes: ‘I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour!’ [Laughs.] It’s kind of cool. But I never dreamed that I would live long enough to hear this song as an advertisement for adult diapers.”
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S*** happen, Steve!