It was deja vu all over again, as the saying goes. This time it was not only another TV remote that bit the dust. Our main television set gave up the ghost in December after at least 15 years of constant, 12-hour a day service.

That's around 65,700 hours of current sitcoms, documentaries, episodes of "Good Eats," St. Louis Cardinals games and reruns of "Leave It To Beaver." That TV set was older than the World Wide Web by several months.

Two days before that happened our backup VCR in the basement ate a tape and then went into a constant error mode. It had been around since The Spice Girls were popular.

The basement TV had also developed a bad hum and a tendency towards a picture resembling a '60s' Jefferson Airplane concert light show at the Fillmore West. It was almost that old, too.

I moved our small portable set from the bedroom and hooked up a patchwork of wires for the cable, our one working VCR and the DVD player. The result was that we needed four remotes to watch television, and not one of the mute buttons would work.

So, while I read the latest Consumer Reports about new HDTV monitors that would be affordable about the time that the centennial of the song "Rock Around The Clock" rolls around in 2055, I was forced to watch and listen to commercials again.

Guess what? Since our discussion of rock 'n' roll songs used in commercials a year ago (available in the archive at wcfcourier.com/pulse), there is a whole new crop of ads meant to coax all of us baby boomers to buy, buy and buy.

The Rolling Stones are not strangers to television commercials. Their songs have pitched Apple iMac computers and Microsoft Windows. They were back again with commercials from their recent tour sponsored by Ameriquest, who also sponsored Paul McCartney's 2005 Super Bowl half-time performance.

Speaking of Sir Paul, it was a little disconcerting to see his commercials for Fidelity Investments and the use of the song "Fine Line" from his current album to sell Lexus automobiles.

There was a time when The Beatles refused offers to use their songs to pitch products, but that commitment fell apart when they lost the rights to much of their catalog which eventually ended up in Michael Jackson's portfolio.

That is probably why "Getting Better," "Come Together," "Help" and "Taxman" were used to sell cars and tax services over the years.

"Taking Care Of Business" by BTO now pitches Office Depot, not to be confused with The Spinners' "Rubberband Man" used in some quite humorous commercials for Office Max.

While in the realm of office supplies, you may remember "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" ad for Staples that showed a parents' joy while purchasing back-to-school supplies.

Since this is the time of year to begin a diet, Lean Cuisine is using "Little Bitty Pretty One." Recorded by Bobby Day and the Satellites in 1957, the song has been covered over the years by Frankie Lymon, Frankie Avalon, The Dave Clark Five and Huey Lewis.

"Time Is On My Side" is being used to pitch SlimFast. I don't think The Rolling Stones ever downed a glass of that beverage.

Speaking of beverages, Len Barry's "1,2,3" now sells 1,2,3, servings a day of dairy products. Barry was a member of the Dovells when they recorded "The Bristol Stomp" and "You Can't Sit Down." He left the group to go solo and went to No. 2 in 1965 with "1,2,3."

"Some Kind Of Wonderful" plugs Kraft Mayo. It may be more familiar as a Grand Funk Railroad track. Mountain Dew is promoting a new beverage with singing nocturnal animals and "All Night Long" from Lionel Ritchie.

On the pizza front the old KC & The Sunshine Band hit "That's The Way I Like It" is being used by Papa Johns, while a Jessica Simpson rendition of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" seems to be more her speed than starring in major movies.

"Daydream Believer" has found new life on eBay commercials. You will remember it both as a 1968 Monkees hit and a remake by Anne Murray.

I am not sure why Dusty Springfield's hit "I Only Want To Be with You" should be selling Fixodent. The same applies Vince Guaraldi's classic jazz piece "Linus and Lucy" currently selling automobiles.

"Ooh, Child" sells Verizon. The hit version was recorded by the 5 Stairsteps, but it was also recorded by Hall & Oates as well as Nina Simone.

"One Way Or Another" by Blondie sells Swiffers. I suppose they get you to clean your floor one way or another.

Target ads are always interesting montages, and they have currently been using "The Shape Of Things To Come." Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the song. The '60s original hit version remains a mystery to me. The Ramones did a version later, and I think the original may have been recorded by The 13th Power.

By the way, this song should not be confused with "Shapes Of Things" from the Yardbirds, who have another classic hit "For Your Love" being used by Zales Jewelry.

I'm sure that there are some advertising executives somewhere patting themselves on the back for pairing these songs with products and companies. There are several other songs I've noticed in the past week, but I have to tell you that I do not remember the product or company.

A version of Herman's Hermits "Something Good" is performed by actors in a commercial for something. Sugarloaf's "Green Eyed Lady" advertises something else, but I don't remember what.

I've noticed "Daydream" from the Lovin' Spoonful on a commercial, and The Mamas and The Papas' "Go Where You Want To Go" has appeared on an ad for a joint medication meant to limber up all of us baby boomers.

A headlight company is using "I Can See For Miles" by The Who, but which company? Their music has been used as much as The Stones. I remember that "I'm Free," "Happy Jack" and "Baba O'Reilly" have appeared in ads, as well.

I do remember that The Kinks and "Picture Book" were used by HP for a series of clever ads for their printers, but it has been replaced by another song. This time I remember the ad and not the new song.

Well, I am sure that by this time next year I'll still be waiting for wide screen HDTV sets to become affordable. I am also sure there will be another set of classic rock songs used in advertising to share with you.

Contact Rick Chase at rick.chase@wcfcourier.com.