Anti-Climacus

If there were remaining doubts about whether Yo La Tengo is now my favorite band, which were not otherwise resolved by my beginning to purchase the odds and ends of their career recordings (Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo has a instrumental/muzak-y version of "Blitzkrieg Bop"!), the Yo La Tengo Sell Out pages on their website would settle that definitively settle the question:

The year was 1996. The Atlanta Olympics were on the horizon, and the braintrust at Coca-Cola were searching for that special sound that would say to Americans: "I'm so glad the Olympics are back and I sure could go for a Coke." Is it any wonder they turned to Yo La Tengo?

They asked to license one of our songs. Don't bother writing to ask which one; we won't answer, and if we do answer we will lie. As we have in so many other instances, we looked to the career of Barry Manillow for guidance. Did Barry get to the top by licensing "Mandy"? He did not. Instead, he composed "Just like a good neighbor, State Farm is there." No, Mr. Coca-Cola, we replied. We will not license one of our songs for your commercial, but instead we will write you your very own jingle. Much to our surprise, they said yes.