Atlanta Airport Uses Music to Keep Clean

Taking a new approach to an anti-litter campaign, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is now using music to inspire people to clean up after themselves.  They changed the words to popular songs such as “Shake Your Groove Thing,” which is now “Keep It Opening Day Fresh” and “Bustin’ Loose” which became “We’re Steady Cleaning Up.”  Of course they also threw in some new lyrics to “Fantastic Voyage,” making it “Our New Concessions,” reminding patrons about the food and retail options available at the airport.  Don’t expect them not to try to subliminal message people into buying stuff while they’re at it.

The airport secured the rights to each of the songs from the original artists, who even agreed to record the new versions themselves.  They all have said they are pleased with the new versions.  (AKA: they aren’t famous anymore and need money.)  Herb Fame, from Peaches and Herb, who performed the remake to “Shake Your Groove Thing,” said it “was a worldwide song and people recognize the melody.  It was fun to do and every time I come through the airport I listen to it.”

The airport worked with psychologists to develop a better method to fighting the litter issue.  Signs are easy to overlook, and people see them everywhere.  With the music sounding so close to the original, it’s more of a subliminal message that people will hear all around them.  “The whole idea is to make it sound as much like the original as possible,” said Doug Strachan, Creative Innovations Manager for the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation, who rewrote the lyrics himself. “If it’s not really done with deft, then it kind of detracts from it rather than enhances it.”

Maybe he hasn’t listened to the songs he wrote, because they sound absolutely ridiculous.  Here are some lyrics from the future hit “Our New Concessions”: “Wow!  New shopping, new spas, new food! / People can’t you see, oh can’t you see, Hartsfield-Jackson wants to serve you.  (That’s right we mean it!) / We want to serve your happiness with purses… / Construction’s almost complete (It’s almost done!) / It’ll be brand new.  (So new!)”

Along with the new music, the airport has also started using a special scent in the airport to help people relax, which is called “Breeze.”  It’s an attempt to add even more sensory reminders that the airport is a “clean” atmosphere.  They are currently developing a custom scent for the airport to replace this one.

No matter what the Atlanta airport does, I doubt I would ever feel relaxed there.  It is one of the busiest airports in the country and has always been my least favorite stopping point for a layover.  They’re going to need to start pumping some anti-anxiety scent in with the “Breeze” if they really want people to relax and take in their awesome new music.

Click Read More to read some of the new lyrics to the classic songs.

“Opening Day Fresh” (To the “Shake Your Groove Thing” tune.  To encourage patrons to treat the airport as though it was as clean as the first day it opened.)

“Opening Day fresh, Opening Day fresh,

Yeah, yeah

Hartsfield-Jackson do it now

Opening Day fresh, Opening Day fresh,

Yeah, yeah

Show ‘em how we do it now!

Show ‘em how we do it now!”

“Our New Concessions” (To the tune of “Fantastic Voyage” — this one is especially ridiculous.)

You’re here early and man that’s great

But how you gonna deal with a real long wait?

You’re bored stiff and getting irate

Don’t worry about the time, stop hangin’ ’round the gate

Get straight, straight, triangulate

Investigate the airport it’s a fun creation

Take a look around (It’s really fun!)

Take a look around

Now the airport’s cool you’ll soon be a fan

Lots of new stores it’s called the retail plan!