One of the biggest moments, if not the biggest moment, during Microsoft’s recent event was the company’s reveal of the new Surface Studio product. One reason for this is absolutely due to the impressive nature of the Surface Studio which merges the high-quality touch screens used in the current Surface products with the Windows 10 operating system and blows both up into a significantly larger and more dynamic desktop computer device. The other reason for the hype surrounding the event is the superb promotional video which Microsoft created to introduce the Surface Studio and Surface Dial to the world and showcase their many uses.
The video was brilliantly edited with some stunning visuals played against a dark rendition of the song, Pure Imagination, from the classic film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This unusual and affecting remix of the song was performed by Fiona Apple and was released back in 2013. It’s available for purchase on iTunes here though strangely can’t be found on Microsoft’s own Groove Music. As with most commercials, the song was edited further for the final video and there have been some significant changes made to some of the tempo and vocals to get it to match the vision Microsoft’s marketing team had for the promo. Correction: This cover of Pure Imagination was performed by Flannel Graph. It is remarkably similar to Fiona Apple’s version which is why she has been incorrectly credited on numerous sites. Special thanks to Benjamin, who follows us on Twitter, for correcting us.
Within 24 hours, the Surface Studio video received over 3.5 million views on YouTube and was the second-highest ranking video, just behind Lady Gaga’s Carpool Karaoke for most of the day after. The video is now sitting at 4.4 million views.
Did Microsoft’s Surface Studio video make an impression on you? How big of a role did this rendition of Pure Imagination play in your reaction? Let us know in the comments below.
Final update: It was actually actor and musician Stephanie Tarling who produced this version of “Pure Imagination.”
