Free Republic

<p>A potbellied, middle-aged man stands against a white background. He's listening to a portable music device and singing The Who's classic "My Generation" out loud. Change the channel. A stout, middle-aged woman stands against a white background. She's listening to a portable music device and singing the Sugarhill Gang classic "Rapper's Delight."</p>

When Apple launched its online iTunes music store not long ago, it promoted the new service with a set of distinctive ads. The spots (see them here) each featured an individual, against a white background, listening via headphones to an iPod portable music player and singing along to a favorite song. We couldn't hear the song, of course—just the person, singing a cappella, with or without musical ability. You could love these ads or be driven to distraction by them, but they stood out. More recently another music-download service has emerged, BuyMusic.com, with its own commercials. (See them here and...