Possible to make a conditional highlighted background for text?

[saydee]

I've been working on a theme for the iPod Video and I would like to have text that appears saying "Next Track" or something like that, which appears on the normally white background appear with a light gray background, just where the text is. Then where I have the next track artist information that too would have the same light gray background appear. I can get the text to appear using the %pE track ending parameter.

Now I thought that %Vb for the viewport could do this, but that does not seem to work for me. Seeking suggestions.