The DJ-composer's music for iPhone X's latest campaign seems to be a rip off from RD Burman's 'Meri Nazar Hai Tujh Pe' track, from The Burning Train (1980).
Pete Cannon's new composition for iPhone X is a throwback to RD Burman
Mumbai - 19 Mar 2018 11:45 IST
Shriram Iyengar
Steve Jobs's legacy at Apple Inc. has been one of innovation and creativity. However, they seemed to have slipped a step with their latest campaign for iPhoneX.
Music producer Pete Cannon put out the advertisement for the latest model of the iPhone series with a snazzy video and a popping new track backing it up. Except for Indian audiences, the soundtrack is a very familiar one and seems to have picked a lot from RD Burman.
While it is not known if Cannon is familiar or did peruse the works of the legendary Indian composer, it is hard to deny that the track carries a number of signature rhythms that make up Burman's original composition, 'Meri Nazar Hai Tujh Pe' from The Burning Train (1980).
Cannon's ad features a young girl walking into the school locker room to find that everything opens up at only a glance. It is a nod to the new 'Face ID' unlocking technology incorporated in the phone. However, from the opening trumpet bang to the the following violin rhythms, the soundtrack to the entire ad has a very 1970's Hindi cinema feel.
Music critic and historian Pavan Jha was among the first to notice the similarities and pointed it out to Cannon on Twitter.
Dear @petecannonbeats The original piece is by Indian composer #RDBurman aka #Pancham for a film called The Burning Train (way back in 1980).. @Apple #IPhoneX Ad
— Pavan Jha (@p1j) March 19, 2018
Check it out https://t.co/VNTx44a02y https://t.co/istzywUVjM
Incidentally, Jha also noted that the ad makers have credited the music to Pete Cannon, without mentioning Burman anywhere.
The Ad Makers have credited the music to Pete Cannon's sample in Bang Bang and not #Pancham :( Apple iPhoneX Ad https://t.co/lkUrWX24wf
— Pavan Jha (@p1j) March 19, 2018
The credits to the track read 'Bang Bang' by Pete Cannon.
The Burning Train (1980) was a multi-starrer ensemble that featured Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, Vinod Mehra and Danny Denzongpa. The film didn't do well at the box office, but remains a hugely popular film on television.
Incidentally, RD Burman is not an unfamiliar name for American music fans. The composer had one of his biggest hits in a collaborative album, Pantera, which came out in 1987 and went on to be a radio chartbuster.
Following are videos from the ad and the original by RD Burman.
