Commercials have always used music, in the background or instead of dialogue. Something I’ve noticed recently though is that more and more commercials use songs from more obscure artists, not just songs that are already in the popular mainstream. In 2008 Target had this commercial:

with two new roommates dancing and decorating to a song. Although the commercial was for the stuff, my friends and I bought the song. Millions of others must also have because Enur was the top dance seller on iTunes in 2008. This is great for musicians!