What is the music on the new m&s advert
The music on the M&S advert featuring Alexandra Burke is her cover of 'What a Wonderful World', the classic 1967 song originally recorded by Louis Armstrong. Burke's version gives the track a contemporary feel, with a funky drumbeat and saxophone running alongside her vocal. It became one of the more talked-about advert soundtracks of its year, partly because the song itself is so recognisable.
What does Alexandra Burke's version sound like?
Burke keeps the warmth of the original but strips away the orchestral arrangement that most people associate with Armstrong's recording. In its place, the production leans into a jazz-influenced rhythm section, with a prominent bass line and a saxophone solo that lifts the middle section. Her voice does the heavy lifting, and the result sits somewhere between a lounge cover and a modern pop production.
The upbeat reinterpretation suits the M&S visual style well. The brand has a long habit of pairing glossy food and fashion footage with music that feels aspirational without being aggressive about it.
Who is Alexandra Burke?
Alexandra Burke won The X Factor in 2008, making her one of the best-known alumni of that show. Her debut single 'Hallelujah' sold over a million copies in the UK, setting a record at the time for first-week sales by a female artist. Since then she has released several albums, appeared in theatre productions including The Bodyguard musical, and built a career that sits across pop, soul and stage performance.
Her vocal range makes her a natural fit for a song like 'What a Wonderful World', which rewards singers who can carry a melody without overselling it.
Where can you listen to the track?
Burke's cover is available on the main streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. It also appears on Amazon Music for those who prefer to download rather than stream. Searching 'Alexandra Burke What a Wonderful World' brings it up immediately on any of those services.
Why do M&S adverts tend to use well-known songs?
M&S has a consistent approach to advert music: take a song the audience already has feelings about, then commission a version that sounds fresh enough to hold attention. It works because recognition creates an emotional shortcut. You hear the first few bars, you already have an association, and the advert benefits from that goodwill before a single product appears on screen.
Other retailers do this too, but M&S has been particularly consistent about choosing songs with a warm, optimistic quality rather than anything edgy or ironic. 'What a Wonderful World' fits that brief almost perfectly.
Has the advert been well received?
Reaction on social media at the time of broadcast was largely positive, with many viewers commenting specifically on Burke's vocal performance. The combination of a familiar song, a strong singer and the M&S visual aesthetic tends to land well with the brand's core audience. Several viewers noted they searched for the track immediately after seeing the advert, which is usually a reliable sign that the music choice worked.
Frequently asked questions
- what song is on the M&S advert with Alexandra Burke
- The song is 'What a Wonderful World', a cover of the classic 1967 Louis Armstrong track. Burke's version features a contemporary jazz-influenced arrangement with a funky drumbeat, prominent bass line, and saxophone solo.
- who is Alexandra Burke
- Alexandra Burke won The X Factor in 2008 and is one of the show's most successful alumni. Her debut single 'Hallelujah' sold over a million copies in the UK and set a record for first-week sales by a female artist at the time.
- did Alexandra Burke record What a Wonderful World originally
- No, the original 'What a Wonderful World' was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967. Alexandra Burke's version is a contemporary cover that reimagines the classic with modern production and jazz elements.
- what has Alexandra Burke done besides singing
- Beyond her music career, Alexandra Burke has appeared in theatre productions including The Bodyguard musical and has released several albums since her 2008 X Factor win.
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