The background music in Salesforce’s 2022 Super Bowl commercial — known as the “New Frontier” ad starring Matthew McConaughey — is a cover version titled Bah Bah Conniff Sprach (Zarathustra) by The Ray Conniff Singers. (Looper)
That version is itself based on the classical composition Also sprach Zarathustra composed by Richard Strauss in 1896. (Fortune)
Why that song works for the commercial
- The choice of “Zarathustra” — especially the Ray Conniff version — gives the ad an epic, grandiose, and somewhat nostalgic feel, which matches the commercial’s sweeping visuals of space, hot air balloons, and global landscapes. As one write-up notes, the tune helps evoke “familiar undertones” that draw viewers in. (Looper)
- The commercial isn’t just about sales or technology — it’s part of Salesforce’s larger “#TeamEarth” campaign, promoting sustainability and responsibility rather than escapism. Using a powerful, recognizable classical theme reinforces the idea of something timeless and universal: our shared home — Earth. (Fox Business)
About the Commercial
- In the ad, Matthew McConaughey — dressed in an astronaut suit — begins by looking at space as the final frontier. But soon he pivots: rather than seeking escape, he urges viewers and businesses to invest in Earth: “It’s time to plant more trees. It’s time to build more trust. … The new frontier, it ain’t rocket science. It’s right here.” (ispot.tv)
- The campaign serves as a subtle critique of the “billionaire space race” and the rush to the metaverse, arguing instead for more sustainable, Earth-centric action. (Fortune)
Bottom Line
If you ever wondered “that classical-sounding tune in the Salesforce Super Bowl 2022 ad — what is it?” — the answer is “Bah Bah Conniff Sprach (Zarathustra)” by The Ray Conniff Singers, a reworking of Richard Strauss’s “Also sprach Zarathustra.” That music choice underpins the ad’s message: the greatest frontier worth caring for is our home planet, Earth.
