British Gas Advert Song: Who Sings the Music in the 2026 TV Ad?

By Gavan Corry, Publisher, The Marketing Blog

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

The British Gas advert song in the latest 2026 TV commercial is “Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba. The South African singer’s 1967 hit plays in the “Sounds like a job for British Gas” campaign, featuring the blue, fluffy Things family dealing with a broken boiler.

However, if you recognise the catchy soul track “The Oogum Boogum Song” by Brenton Wood, you are remembering another British Gas commercial from earlier in 2026.

The original Things family advert, released in 2025, featured “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits.

British Gas has used memorable songs in its television advertising for years, including recordings by Blur, Electric Light Orchestra, Boston and Queen. But with several campaigns featuring the same characters, identifying the right soundtrack can be confusing.

Here is the music from the latest adverts, plus a guide to the songs used in older British Gas commercials.

British Gas Advert Song 2026: Which Song Is Playing?

The latest British Gas advert uses “Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba, while a separate 2026 commercial features Brenton Wood’s “The Oogum Boogum Song”. Both appear in campaigns starring the Things family. The best way to identify the music is to match the song to the scene you remember.

If you saw the latest advert with teenager Ash discovering that the shower is freezing cold, the song you heard was Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata”.

If the music sounds like an American soul recording with an unusual repeated refrain, it is probably Brenton Wood’s “The Oogum Boogum Song”.

Both recordings date from 1967, an interesting connection between two otherwise very different British Gas campaigns.

What Is the Song in the Latest British Gas Advert 2026?

“Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba is the song in British Gas’s October 2026 “Sounds like a job for British Gas” advert. The commercial was created by advertising agency VCCP and launched on 19 October. It follows the Things family as a broken boiler disrupts their morning routine.

The film opens with Dave and Mel preparing for a busy school day.

Breakfast needs making, packed lunches are being organised, and the children are getting ready to leave. It is the sort of familiar domestic chaos that many parents will recognise.

Then teenager Ash steps into the shower.

The water is freezing cold.

Her scream brings the morning routine to an abrupt halt. Dave discovers that the boiler has stopped working and uses the British Gas app to arrange an engineer visit.

Throughout the scene, Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata” keeps playing.

The soundtrack creates an amusing contrast between the family’s frustration and the cheerful music. Instead of turning a broken boiler into a household disaster, the advert treats the situation as an entertaining interruption.

British Gas uses the campaign to promote its repair services, particularly its “No Fix, No Fee” boiler proposition and same-day engineer call-outs for qualifying bookings made before 11am.

Music agency DLMDD supervised the soundtrack and has publicly confirmed the use of Miriam Makeba’s recording.

Watch the advert: British Gas – Sounds like a job for British Gas.

Who Sings Pata Pata in the British Gas Advert?

Miriam Makeba was a South African singer who achieved international recognition during the 1950s and 1960s.

Known as Mama Africa, Makeba became one of the most influential performers to bring South African music to audiences around the world.

“Pata Pata” originated in South Africa during the 1950s. However, the recording that became an international hit was released in 1967.

It reached number 12 on the American Billboard Hot 100.

The title refers to a South African dance, while the recording combines lively percussion, distinctive vocals and a memorable rhythm.

Makeba’s international career was also shaped by her opposition to apartheid.

The South African government revoked her passport, forcing her to spend decades living outside her homeland. She returned in 1990 and died in 2008, aged 76.

British Gas’s decision to use “Pata Pata” brings her most famous song to another generation of listeners nearly 60 years after its international success.

The choice also fits the company’s recent preference for established recordings rather than specially written advertising jingles.

Is the British Gas Advert Song Oogum Boogum by Brenton Wood?

Yes. “The Oogum Boogum Song” by Brenton Wood features in a separate British Gas commercial documented in March 2026. The advert stars the familiar blue Things family, but it is not the same film as the October broken-boiler campaign featuring Miriam Makeba.

The commercial appears in the Little Black Book advertising archive under the title British Gas – Oogum Boogum.

Music supervision company Twelve Decibels handled the creative music research and licensing.

According to the agency, British Gas wanted a recording that brought warmth, soul and playfulness to its furry characters.

Brenton Wood’s 1967 hit was a good fit.

“The Oogum Boogum Song” has a relaxed rhythm, an unusual title and Wood’s distinctive vocal delivery. It sounds light-hearted without having been written specifically for advertising.

The recording’s playful character also works well with the exaggerated appearance of the Things family.

Rather than adding a conventional advertising jingle, British Gas selected an established soul track that already had its own musical identity.

Watch the advert: British Gas – Oogum Boogum on Little Black Book.

Who Originally Sang The Oogum Boogum Song?

Brenton Wood, whose real name was Alfred Jesse Smith, was an American soul singer.

He became famous during the 1960s with recordings including “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign”.

Both songs appeared in 1967.

Wood’s recordings mixed soul, R&B and pop influences, often with humorous lyrics and memorable vocal arrangements.

He died in December 2024, aged 83.

His music has continued to appear in films, television programmes and advertising, helping it reach audiences long after his original chart success.

Why Do Both 2026 British Gas Songs Date From 1967?

There is an interesting musical connection between the two British Gas commercials.

Miriam Makeba’s internationally successful recording of “Pata Pata” and Brenton Wood’s “The Oogum Boogum Song” were both released in 1967.

Yet the recordings emerged from different musical cultures.

Makeba represented South African popular music, while Wood was part of the American soul scene.

Nearly six decades later, both songs have appeared in British advertising featuring the same fictional family.

It is a good example of how an established recording can take on a different identity when used in advertising.

Brenton Wood’s song helps make the characters feel mischievous and playful. Miriam Makeba’s recording provides energy and humour during a household emergency.

Complete List of British Gas Advert Songs: 2009–2026

British Gas has used songs from rock, soul, pop, hip-hop, classical music and film soundtracks. Some tracks accompanied the animated Wilbur the Penguin, while others featured in campaigns about boiler repairs, energy savings and smart meters.

The following list combines the recent agency-confirmed soundtracks with older recordings identified by contemporary advertising publications and TV advert-music archives.

Source note: The recent 2025–2026 tracks are supported by music-agency credits. Older recordings are drawn from contemporary advertising reports and the TV Ad Music British Gas archive. The table is a documented selection rather than a complete record of every British Gas advert. Some archive entries have later publication dates than the original commercials.

The variety is striking.

British Gas has moved from Blur’s orchestral Britpop and Wagner’s classical music to American soul, South African pop and mainstream British rock.

Several songs have appeared more than once, including Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky” and Danny Elfman’s “Ice Dance”.

What Song Was in the Original British Gas Blue Fluffy Family Advert?

The original British Gas Things family commercial used “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits. Released in May 2025, the advert introduced the animated family as they moved into a new house. It formed part of the company’s “Taking care of things” brand platform.

The film follows the family as they attempt to settle into their new home.

There are boxes waiting to be unpacked, household appliances to organise and the usual confusion associated with moving day.

“Walk of Life” provides the soundtrack as the family gets to work.

The song originally appeared on Dire Straits’ 1985 album Brothers in Arms.

Its recognisable keyboard introduction and upbeat rhythm give the commercial a lively atmosphere.

Unlike the later broken-boiler advert, the original campaign was not centred on one particular household problem.

Instead, British Gas wanted to communicate a broader message about keeping homes comfortable and working properly.

Creative agency T&Pm worked on the campaign, while Academy Films handled production. Music agency DLMDD supervised the soundtrack.

Watch the original advert: British Gas – Taking Care of Things featuring Walk of Life.

What Music Was Used in Older British Gas Adverts?

Before the Things family arrived, British Gas used several different advertising characters and creative styles. Some of its best-known commercials featured animated houses on planets, woodland animals and Wilbur the Penguin.

The music changed to match each campaign.

The Universal by Blur – British Gas Advert 2009

One of the most memorable older British Gas advert songs is “The Universal” by Blur.

The track appeared in the 2009 “Your Home Is Your World” campaign.

The animated advert imagined homes standing on individual planets, while British Gas engineers travelled through space to help customers.

Blur’s recording, released in 1995 on the album The Great Escape, provided a dramatic orchestral soundtrack.

The unusual combination of floating houses, outer space and familiar music made the campaign distinctive.

Marketing Week confirmed the use of “The Universal” when the advert launched on 16 February 2009.

For viewers who remember British Gas commercials featuring animated planets, this is the soundtrack they are likely searching for.

Ice Dance by Danny Elfman – British Gas Advert 2015

British Gas used “Ice Dance” by Danny Elfman in its 2015 “No Place Like Home” commercial, according to the contemporary TV Ad Music archive.

The instrumental recording comes from Tim Burton’s 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.

The advert featured animated woodland animals, including a family of squirrels, and presented the home as a warm, comfortable refuge.

Elfman’s composition brought a gentle, wintry atmosphere to the scenes.

Interestingly, the advert appeared in August rather than at Christmas.

British Gas also used the composition in its 2016 HomeCare Winter advertising featuring Wilbur the Penguin.

This helps explain why some viewers associate the track with several different British Gas commercials.

More Than a Feeling by Boston – British Gas Advert 2016

“More Than a Feeling” by Boston featured in the 2016 British Gas FreeTime campaign.

The commercial starred Wilbur the Penguin and promoted an electricity tariff offering free electricity during selected weekend periods to qualifying customers.

Boston released the song in 1976.

Its powerful vocals and guitar sound gave the advert a very different musical character from the orchestral recordings used in other British Gas campaigns.

For anyone remembering a British Gas penguin commercial with classic rock music, this is the recording to investigate.

Next to Me by Emeli Sandé – British Gas Advert 2017

“Next to Me” by Emeli Sandé appeared in the 2017 “Smarter Homes for All” advert.

The film also featured Wilbur the Penguin and promoted smart meters.

Sandé released the song in 2012, when it became one of her best-known recordings.

Its use brought a contemporary British pop soundtrack to the campaign, rather than the older rock and classical music British Gas had used elsewhere.

Crystal Balling by Jackie Onassis – British Gas Advert 2017

British Gas used “Crystal Balling” by Australian hip-hop duo Jackie Onassis in its 2017 “Stay a Step Ahead of Winter” advertising.

The campaign encouraged customers to prepare for colder weather and potential boiler problems.

The contemporary TV Ad Music listing identifies the song and describes the commercial as a revised version of an earlier Wilbur the Penguin film.

That is a useful reminder that an advertiser can reuse familiar visuals while changing the music.

Two people may remember almost identical scenes from British Gas advertising but associate them with different songs.

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra – British Gas Advert 2023

British Gas used “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra in its January 2023 “Money Saving Engineers” campaign.

The advert featured real British Gas engineers explaining how customers could make their homes more energy efficient and manage household costs.

The&Partnership created the campaign.

“Mr. Blue Sky” provided an optimistic soundtrack during a period when household energy prices were receiving considerable attention.

British Gas had also used the song in an earlier 2012 advert supporting Team GB Olympic swimming.

The track is therefore connected with more than one British Gas commercial.

Other British Gas Advert Songs: Queen, Fontella Bass and The A-Team

The company’s older soundtracks include several unexpected musical choices.

British Gas used “One Vision” by Queen in a 2011 Nectar-linked campaign called “Look After Your World”.

Another advert from the same year featured Fontella Bass’s 1965 soul recording “Rescue Me”.

The 2011 Energy Smart Monitor commercial used Henry Mancini’s Pink Panther theme, while a 2012 home services advert featured the famous theme from the American television series The A-Team.

British Gas also turned to classical music in 2009, using Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” in its Boiler Emergency advertising.

These choices demonstrate the company’s long-standing willingness to use music from very different genres.

Who Are the Blue Fluffy Characters in the British Gas Advert?

The blue furry characters are called the Things, a fictional animated family introduced by British Gas in 2025. They appear in the company’s recent television campaigns and have become a recognisable part of its advertising.

The family consists of:

• Dave: The easy-going father, who sometimes struggles with complicated DIY jobs.
• Mel: The mother, who helps keep the household organised.
• Ash: The sporty teenage daughter, often seen wearing headphones.
• Charlie and Riley: The young twins, who regularly create mischief.

British Gas introduces the characters on its official Meet the Things page.

In the October 2026 commercial, Ash’s cold shower becomes the incident that drives the story.

The characters also help British Gas maintain consistency across advertising campaigns.

Although the company changes the music, storyline and service being promoted, the Things family remains recognisable.

This provides a useful connection between the original Dire Straits commercial, the Brenton Wood advert and the later Miriam Makeba campaign.

Who Made the Latest British Gas Advert?

The October 2026 British Gas campaign was created by VCCP, directed by thirtytwo and produced through Anonymous Content. DLMDD handled music supervision, while OMD was responsible for media.

The advert forms part of the wider “Taking care of things” advertising platform launched in 2025.

The campaign promotes British Gas as a home services provider covering heating, plumbing and electrical repairs, rather than simply an energy supplier.

This is reflected in its advertising.

The commercial begins with a household problem and ends with British Gas offering a practical solution.

Why Does British Gas Keep Using Famous Songs?

British Gas has repeatedly selected established recordings to give its advertising a recognisable musical character. Its soundtracks include pop, soul, rock and film music spanning several decades. However, each song serves a different purpose depending on the commercial.

Blur’s “The Universal” made the 2009 animated campaign feel cinematic.

Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life” brought movement and optimism to the Things family’s moving-day story.

Brenton Wood’s “The Oogum Boogum Song” added a playful soul sound that complemented the animated characters.

Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata” produces a different effect by creating a cheerful contrast with the family’s broken boiler.

The songs are memorable, but they also help establish the tone of each advert.

The Marketing Blog’s Analysis: The Music Gets Attention, but the Story Makes the Sale

The latest British Gas campaign shows an interesting shift in how the company uses music and characters.

The Things family already provides brand recognition. Viewers familiar with earlier campaigns can identify the blue characters even before the British Gas logo appears.

That gives the advertiser freedom to change the music without losing continuity.

However, the October 2026 commercial also has a clearer service message than the original moving-home advert.

A boiler fails. The family needs help. British Gas offers an engineer.

This is a familiar household situation, especially as winter approaches.

The music keeps the commercial entertaining, while the storyline gives viewers a reason to remember the advertised service.

There is also a connection with the company’s wider marketing strategy.

VCCP says the campaign includes search activity aimed at householders looking for solutions to problems such as cold radiators, boiler faults and flickering lights.

That means British Gas can reach people through television advertising and again when they are actively searching for help.

The potential benefit is straightforward.

Someone may remember the Things family and its soundtrack, then recognise the British Gas name when they need an engineer.

However, the popularity of a song does not prove that an advert generates more repair bookings.

Campaign effectiveness would need to be measured through customer response, brand tracking and business results.

For more coverage of how advertisers use music and familiar characters, see The Marketing Blog’s Christmas adverts 2026 guide.

Where Can You Watch the British Gas Adverts and Hear the Songs?

The recent British Gas commercials are available through their original creative agencies and music supervision companies. These sources help identify the correct recording because reposted videos may have incomplete titles or later upload dates.

The main viewing links are:

• British Gas 2026 – Sounds like a job for British Gas: “Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba.
• British Gas 2026 – Oogum Boogum: “The Oogum Boogum Song” by Brenton Wood.
• British Gas 2025 – Taking Care of Things: “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits.

For older commercials, the TV Ad Music British Gas archive contains historical song identifications and advert listings.

Frequently Asked Questions About British Gas Advert Songs

What is the song in the new British Gas advert 2026?

The song is “Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba. It features in the October 2026 “Sounds like a job for British Gas” commercial, showing the blue Things family dealing with a broken boiler and a freezing shower. Music agency DLMDD confirms the recording.

Who sings the Oogum Boogum song in the British Gas advert?

Brenton Wood performs “The Oogum Boogum Song”. British Gas used the 1967 soul recording in a separate commercial documented in March 2026. Music supervision company Twelve Decibels handled its selection and licensing.

What song is playing in the British Gas advert with the blue monsters?

The blue Things family has appeared with several different songs. The original 2025 moving-home advert used “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits. Later commercials featured Brenton Wood’s “The Oogum Boogum Song” and Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata”.

What is the Blur song in the British Gas advert?

The song is “The Universal” by Blur. It featured in the 2009 “Your Home Is Your World” campaign, which showed animated houses on small planets. The recording originally appeared on Blur’s 1995 album The Great Escape.

What is the music from Edward Scissorhands in the British Gas advert?

The recording identified in the historical advert-music archive is “Ice Dance” by Danny Elfman. The instrumental comes from the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands and featured in British Gas’s 2015 “No Place Like Home” advertising.

What song was in the British Gas advert with the penguin?

Several British Gas adverts featuring Wilbur the Penguin used different songs. These included Boston’s “More Than a Feeling”, Emeli Sandé’s “Next to Me” and Danny Elfman’s “Ice Dance”. The correct soundtrack depends on the particular commercial.

Who sings Mr. Blue Sky in the British Gas advert?

“Mr. Blue Sky” is performed by Electric Light Orchestra, also known as ELO. British Gas used the recording in its 2023 Money Saving Engineers campaign and an earlier advert supporting Team GB Olympic swimming.

What song was in the original British Gas Things advert?

The original British Gas Things family advert used “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits. Released in May 2025, the film showed the blue furry family moving into a new home and introduced the company’s “Taking care of things” advertising platform.

Where can I watch the latest British Gas advert?

The October 2026 commercial can be watched on VCCP’s official website. It features Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata” and the Things family. The separate Brenton Wood advert is available through Little Black Book.

Sources and Verification

The Marketing Blog checked the recent soundtracks against campaign credits and music supervision agencies. Historical recordings were compared with contemporary advertising reports and specialist TV advert-music archives.

1. DLMDD – British Gas: Sounds Like a Job for British Gas
2. VCCP – Sounds Like a Job for British Gas
3. Twelve Decibels – British Gas Oogum Boogum licensing
4. Little Black Book – British Gas Oogum Boogum
5. DLMDD – British Gas Taking Care of Things
6. TV Ad Music – British Gas advert music archive
7. Marketing Week – British Gas advert features Blur
8. Marketing Beat – British Gas Money Saving Engineers

About the Author

Gavan Corry is the publisher of The Marketing Blog, covering advertising campaigns, digital marketing and the people and music behind memorable television commercials.