In the world of Super Bowl advertising, we expect loud, funny, and fast. We expect celebrity cameos, explosions, and quick cuts designed to grab our attention in a split second. But every year, there is always one brand that takes the opposite approach. They bet on elegance, mystery, and timeless beauty. For Super Bowl LX in 2026, that brand was Chanel.
Their commercial for the legendary Chanel N°5 fragrance, titled "The Edge of Night," was a cinematic masterpiece. Starring the ethereal Lily-Rose Depp, the ad transported viewers from the chaos of the football game into a world of intrigue, shadow, and allure. It was a short film, not a commercial. And at its heart, providing the entire emotional and narrative drive, was a piece of classical music, reimagined for a modern audience.
If you've been searching for the hauntingly beautiful song that made "The Edge of Night" so unforgettable, you've come to the right place. The foundation of the track is the famous "Habanera" from the opera Carmen by the French composer Georges Bizet.
The Original Masterpiece: "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen
To understand the power of the Chanel commercial, you must first understand the source material. "Habanera" is the formal name for the aria "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" ("Love is a rebellious bird"). It appears in the first act of Georges Bizet's groundbreaking 1875 opera, Carmen.
The aria is sung by the titular character, Carmen, a fiery and free-spirited gypsy woman. The song is her declaration of independence, her philosophy on love. She sings that love is a wild thing that cannot be tamed, controlled, or owned. It comes and goes as it pleases, and those who try to possess it will be left with nothing. The famous lyrics begin: "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle / Que nul ne peut apprivoiser" ("Love is a rebellious bird / That no one can tame").
Musically, the "Habanera" is based on the rhythm of a Cuban dance (the habanera), giving it a sensuous, swaying, and slightly melancholic feel. It is one of the most instantly recognizable and beloved arias in all of opera.
You can listen to the original, unadulterated versions of this masterpiece here:
Historic Interpretation (Maria Callas):
(The most famous and acclaimed version)
Watch YouTube videoVersion with Lyrics (Angela Gheorghiu):
(To follow the words)
Watch YouTube videoStandard Orchestral Audio:
Watch YouTube video
From Opera House to Super Bowl: The Chanel Remix
For "The Edge of Night," Chanel did not simply place the original opera recording over their images. They did something far more sophisticated and modern. They commissioned a remix of the "Habanera."
The version in the commercial retains the core DNA of Bizet's composition—the sultry melody, the unmistakable rhythm—but it is recontextualized. The traditional orchestral arrangement is stripped back or augmented with subtle, modern electronic beats and atmospheric sound design. This creates a bridge between the timeless, classical world of the opera and the sleek, modern, and mysterious world of Chanel.
This remix serves multiple purposes:
It Honors Tradition: By using the "Habanera," Chanel immediately taps into centuries of cultural history, aligning itself with timeless art and beauty.
It Feels Modern: The electronic undertones prevent the ad from feeling like a museum piece. It keeps the brand current and relevant, appealing to a younger, luxury-conscious audience.
It Mirrors the Theme: The aria's theme of untamed love and freedom perfectly mirrors the narrative of the commercial, which follows Lily-Rose Depp on a mysterious, nocturnal journey.
How the Music Powers "The Edge of Night"
In the Chanel commercial, the music is not just background; it is the story. The visuals show Lily-Rose Depp in a series of evocative, cinematic scenes. She moves through shadowy rooms, glances out of rain-streaked windows, and finally steps into the night, her path illuminated by the soft glow of city lights. She is searching for something—or someone—and the perfume is her guide, her signature.
The remixed "Habanera" underscores every moment. Its sensual, swaying rhythm mirrors her confident, graceful movement. Its minor key and melancholic beauty create an atmosphere of mystery and longing. When the electronic elements pulse subtly beneath the melody, it adds a sense of modern urgency, as if she is being pulled towards her destiny by an invisible force.
The song's lyrical theme—of love as a rebellious, untamable force—is the subtext of the entire visual story. Lily-Rose Depp's character is the personification of that idea. She is independent, alluring, and following her own path into the night. The perfume, Chanel N°5, is her secret, her weapon, her declaration of freedom.
You can watch the commercial and see the campaign's aesthetic here:
Chanel N°5 Super Bowl 2026 - "The Edge of Night" (Official):
The i-D channel link provided offers special coverage on Lily-Rose Depp's role with Chanel this year.)
Watch YouTube videoRelated Chanel Campaign Video (Showcasing the Visual Style):
Watch YouTube video
Why This Choice Was Genius
Chanel's decision to use a remixed "Habanera" for their Super Bowl debut was a masterstroke for several reasons:
Differentiation: In a sea of pop and rock anthems, a classical piece instantly made the ad stand out. It was unexpected, sophisticated, and commanded attention through its sheer beauty and difference.
Brand Alignment: Chanel N°5 is not just a perfume; it's a legend. It represents timeless elegance, mystery, and a certain kind of powerful femininity. The "Habanera," with its themes of untamed love and its own legendary status in the world of music, is the perfect sonic counterpart. It tells the same story as the fragrance.
Emotional Depth: Classical music has a unique ability to convey complex emotions without words. The "Habanera" is simultaneously sensual, melancholic, and defiant. This rich emotional palette gave the 60-second commercial the depth of a feature film.
Conclusion: A Perfect Marriage of Image and Sound
The Chanel N°5 Super Bowl 2026 commercial, "The Edge of Night," was a bold and beautiful statement. It trusted its audience to appreciate elegance, mystery, and the power of classical music. By reimagining Bizet's iconic "Habanera" for a modern audience, Chanel created a piece of advertising that was not just seen, but felt.
The song's themes of rebellious love and untamed freedom are the very essence of the Chanel woman. And in Lily-Rose Depp, they found the perfect modern muse to bring that timeless music to life. So, the next time you hear that sultry, unforgettable melody, you'll know the story behind it—a story of love, freedom, and the world's most famous fragrance.
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