John Lewis have shared their Christmas advert for 2024, featuring Richard Ashcroft covering The Verve’s track "Sonnet". The track was originally released back in 1997 on the band's third album Urban Hymns.
The UK retailer has become recognized for its festive ads over the years, with the plot usually telling a short story, while also featuring a specially-created cover of a famous song to accompany.
Now, the ad for 2024 has been shared, which centers around a character called Sally, who embarks on a journey through her childhood memories in a bid to find the perfect Christmas gift for her sister Lauren.
Taking inspiration from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, she falls through a rack of dresses, only to find herself in a fantastical world of her memories.
Titled "The Gifting Hour", the ad ends with the strapline: “The secret to finding the perfect gift? Knowing where to look.”
Unlike previous years, which included covers of famous tracks, this time around the retailer has lined up a performance of The Verve’s single "Sonnet" – performed by frontman Richard Ashcroft.
While the track was originally released over 25 years ago, Ashcroft also recorded an acoustic version of the single for his Acoustic Hymns Vol 1 solo album, which was shared back in October 2021.
That record saw him re-imagine songs from his back catalogue, and included a number of tracks from The Verve’s third studio album, Urban Hymns.
The inclusion of The Verve track in the ad doesn’t stop there. On November 15, John Lewis will be offering the general public the chance to become the next cover star. This involves launching a nationwide search, where musicians are asked to cover Ashcroft’s melody.
The winner will have their version released on TV on Christmas day, and the track will be officially released by BMG.
- Source: NME
