This new commercial for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee takes American patriotism to another level.

“The things that make us Americans are the things we make. This has always been a nation of builders. Of craftsman. Men and women for whom straight stitches and clean welds were matters of personal pride. They made the skyscrapers and the cotton gins. The colt revolvers and the jeep 4X4′s. These things make us who we are.”

Yes, much can be said about the coupling of patriotism with consumerism, with words like propaganda and brain washing, but that cannot change the fact that this is a very effective commercial.

What makes it effective, at least to my ears, is the striking beat created by an alternating stomp and clap, at the pace of a heart beat, that haunts the watcher through the commercial’s full 60 seconds.

That powerful rhythm is from Johhny Cash’s version of God’s Gonna Cut You Down, released on the 2006 album American V: A Hundred Highways. The song is actually a traditional folk song that dates back to at least the mid 1930’s.

Many versions of this song have come and gone through the decades. You might remember Moby’s version of the traditional song, which he called Run On from the 1999 album Play, which has long been one of my favourites.

If you can’t get enough, check out the star studded video for Johnny Cash’s version:

Janglin – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

The tune that brings this Ford Fiesta commercial to life is by the Road 2 Nowhere favourite, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, called Janlin. You should get their debut album, Up From Below, because it too, is a pretty big deal.

Worries (live sponsored version) – Langhorne Slim

This cute little commercial for Travelers Insurance feature a sweet song by Langhorne Slim called Worries. I’m not sure what I like about it, I just know that I do. If you do too, maybe you’d be into Langhorne Slim’s self titled album that the tune is from:

How You Like Me Now – The Heavy

Who wouldn’t love the adorable sock monkey in this commercial who fantasizes about hitting the town with his buddies, while riding in the back of his family’s Kia Sorento. The tune that makes the fantasies of our friend the sock monkey, come to life is How do you like me now by The Heavy.

And, the official video, for your viewing pleasure:

Going On – Gnarls Barkley

In honour of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June Puma has put out this rather beautiful tribute to the game some call soccer, and most call football. The song that gives this commercial life is Gnarls Barkley’s Going On, available on the duo’s second album, The Odd Couple.