Target Commercial Song – The Gogo’s parody

By Jessica Thompson in 2012 · July 20, 2012 · 22 comments

Tags: Notebooks and jeans, target, The Go-Go's, We Got the Beat

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Target Commercial Notebooks and jeans The Gogo'sWe don’t know if many people will be searching for this track, but, as we said before, when the illustrious blogger Tony Pierce writes about a song in a commercial and you run a website called “What song is in that commercial?,” well, you take note. This is a back-to-school Target spot featuring a parody song of The Go-Go’s 1980s hit We Got the Beat called “Notebooks and Jeans” and pretend-performed by “English Teacher.” The original song is great and if you’re too young to have been exposed, we suggest you check it out. The Target commercial song is less great, but whatever. The Go-Go’s probably got a lot of cash from the royalties and maybe it introduced some elementary-aged kids to their tunes so that’s cool.

UPDATE: This version of the song was made by Wieden + Kennedy Portland. The composer was Bret McKenzie and the producer was Mickey Petralia. The name of the actress playing the teacher is Melanie Paxson.

To download the original track by The Go-Go’s, click here:
We Got the Beat - Beauty and the Beat

Lyrics (Thank you, Sam!):

Hi Parents, big year for spelling, here’s what the kids will N-E-E-D

Pens & markers, paper (Wide-Ruled),
Putty, stickers, tape, and sticks of glue,
Lunch boxes, pencils, highlighters,
Sneakers, & tee shirts,
Notebooks & Jeans,

Notebooks & Jeans, Notebooks & Jeans,
YEAH-NOTEBOOKS & JEANS

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  • Jason

    Unbelievable. I created a commercial for Kmart in 2010 that is this exact premise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY3Ndb1LPg

    • Ashley

      Jason, with all due respect (if you did, in fact, create that commercial) — I like the Target commercial. Sure, it’s cheesy. Terrible parody. But the concept is NOT the same. It’s got a hint of School of Rock to it. It’s enjoyable. The KMart commercial wasn’t nearly as entertaining.

    • Sean

      See, I really don’t like the Kmart commercial, just for the fact that it does not take the parody far enough. Everyone can dance and sing well and it just turns into one big unfunny cheesy mess, unlike the target commercials, which are cheesy mess, but are hilarious in that they take traditional songs (or original ones) and parody them with funny lyrics and visuals. But in general Target’s ad campaigns are more clever and original than K Mart’s so this is not surprising.

    • Cynthia

      The two commercials are completely different… definitely not the same (or in your words “exact”) premise. Sorry, Jason, no one took your idea… Target’s is cuter BTW.

  • Natalie

    Who is the girl singing the song?

  • Beth

    This commercial makes me crazy! I can’t figure out ANYTHING she’s singing! I’ve even had other people listen to it & we can’t make out any of the words. What good is a commercial that people can’t understand?

  • Raymond

    I was unsure of the woman’s name too, I originally thought it might be Suzi Barrett from the Milo’s Kitchen dog treats commercials (among other things) and came here to find out for sure. Did love the original song and even though I’m not as fond of the parody, I realize these things happen when people need money or recognition.

  • oc

    I cannot stand this woman. She is in million different commercials and it is too much of her… Dog treat commercial, Target Commercial and previously on 1-800 Dentists commercial. She must have a big HUGE connection… Too much of her and her unpleasent voice.

  • Sam

    Hi Parents, big year for spelling, here’s what the kids will N-E-E-D

    Pens & markers, paper (Wide-Ruled),
    Puddy, stickers, tape, and sticks of glue,
    Lunch boxes, pencils, highlighters,
    Sneakers, & tee shirts,
    Notebooks & Jeans,

    Notebooks & Jeans, Notebooks & Jeans,
    YEAH-NOTEBOOKS & JEANS

  • Ms Antoinette Macchia

    You guys are way to critical this commercial is adorable. I love it and the one with the music teacher too!

    • Jessica Thompson

      Our post about that one will be going up tomorrow!

  • Dave Jennings

    Truly, being a musician myself, I can’t understand one word the girl is singing. The potential is there but not when you can’t tell what she’s saying. Just trying to help.

  • Tina fisher

    I absolutely adore these back to school commercials by Target…including the one with the science teacher. Since I grew up in the 80s I immediately recognized all of the songs. They are fun and harmless entertainment. Target keep it up!

  • Cori

    She has a chipmunk voice. I can’t understand a word she’s singing. Annoying commercial.

  • carol

    The kids love this commercial. It makes them want to go to Target for their back-to-school shopping. That’s what advertising is all about.

  • Biana

    This commercial bothers me. The idea is definitely there, but I cannot understand what the singer is sayin. It bothered me so much that I had to google it, hence my post. I landed on this page.

  • Deano

    These are the worst most annoying commercials. I hate hate hate them and can not wait for them to get off the goddamn air.

  • Brittany

    I love this commercial and their other one as well, they are so cute! and very much for children.

  • Dan

    I Remember the original song by the GoGos and understood every
    word. If you payed any attention to the above article at all, it was ‘”pretend-performed” by the actress, she didn’t actually sing it herself.
    If only the average American had a higher than 8th grade average reading level

  • Evhead

    What’s more maddening is that science teacher…I know the song is “Blinded me with Science”, but I can’t understand what ge us saying!!! The last sentence sounds like “pencils, hedja, binders”…what the heck is he saying?!?

  • Filthy McNasty

    The song “We Got The Beat” was in itself cheesy, not great.