Jason, I agree in part with Waits, and I agree also with some of what you have stated.

I think an artist should be able to choose however they want to sell, market, and distribute their music, and I think anyone who makes whatever fortune they can from their artistry deserves every penny.

However, I think what Tom was bothered by,was the fact that "originally" the songs came from the heart and soul, from another place, and so intended, were somehow perverted by being sold for a car or beer ad.  Not that there is not art in some of these commercials...and well done...Of course these powerful corporations are bending the minds of the audience, that's how they ended up being powerful corporations in the first place; by selling a shitload of their product(s).  So there are several sides to this sensitive issue.

Now the real tragedy lies in the use of an artists' song/hook in this fashion, where the artist does not get ONE CENT for it.  Case in point..."Time has Come Today" clip by the Chambers Bros, I think it was on a car ad..don't remember which one.  According to Willy Chambers...they don't get a dime...it all goes to (was it Nissan??? ).  Now that is because their original contract was in the record company's interest, and not the then (young, dumb and full of cum) Chambers Bros who probably eagerly signed it for the deal they saw it to be at the time, but it is sad that their faces get rubbed in it, every time that ad appears on the screen.  And this is probably not the only group who were "used" in this fashion.

Gene