Super Bowl Sunday is guaranteed to bring some tear-jerker moments — thanks in no small part to an emotional Audi spot featuring David Bowie’s 1972 classic “Starman.”
The luxury car brand, which licensed the tune well in advance of the legendary rocker’s death last month, paid an estimated $2 million for rights to use the song in a spot for its R8 sports car.
The commercial shows a retired astronaut who appears depressed until he turns the ignition key in the car and experiences the sensation of taking off like a rocket.
Music publishing giant Sony/ATV’s worldwide head of advertising, film and TV, Brian Monaco, wouldn’t confirm the figure but told The Post: “It is one of our most expensive songs.”
Another unnamed financial advertiser in the big game was slated to use a Bowie song but decided against it.
“Since Bowie’s death, we’ve had a lot of phone calls,” Monaco said.
Sony/ATV has licensed songs to 12 Super Bowl advertisers in all, including Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” For the most part, Monaco said this year’s Super Bowl advertisers have chosen iconic songs over newer hits.
“It feels like advertisers are spending more,” he said.