Heard It On TV: Miriam Makeba and Honda

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Like many gay ladies, I’m attracted to hatchbacks. They’re sporty and utilitarian — everything I could ask for in a car. That’s why I perked up when I saw Honda’s commercial for the new 2010 Accord Crosstour. The Crosstour is a stylish mash-up, the body of a sedan combined with the sloping trunk of a hatchback.

So why am I talking about this on Audiostraddle?

Well, Honda struck me twice with this advertisement. In addition to the actual car, the commercial uses a song I love — Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata.” Makeba is a Grammy Award-winning South African singer, and “Pata Pata” is one of her most famous songs. It features her signature “click” seamlessly integrated with her rich, upbeat voice.
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A Live Performance circa approx. 1970 by Miriam Makeba

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Makeba helped popularize African music around the world, and I’m glad Honda is drawing attention to her again — if only for 30 seconds in a television commercial.

If you liked “Pata Pata,” check out “The Click Song,” too.