This is probably the most clear-headed, straightforward response to an accusation of “selling-out” that I’ve read. It’s from Sam Beam, singer for Iron & Wine, about his song being used for an M&Ms commercial [via]:
I eat M&Ms,” Beam said from his rural Texas home. “There’s no reason to be hoity-toity about it if you eat them. I’ve got four kids and four educations to pay for. There’s a reality to making a living in the music industry. With radio dying and MTV dead, (an ad) is now the most effective way to get music out there.”