16 Memorable Commercial Jingles from the ’70s and ’80s Still Stuck in Our Heads
The 1970s and ’80s were an unmatched era for advertising. It wasn’t just about selling products but also about creating earworms that would follow you around for life. These jingles were so catchy that even decades later, you might still find yourself humming them in the shower.
Let’s hear (and see) 16 legendary tunes that turned simple commercials into pop culture moments and still refuse to be forgotten!
1. Oscar Mayer – The Bologna Anthem That Stuck
If you ever needed a spelling lesson in song form, this one had you covered:
🎶 “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R!” 🎶
Kids across America belted this out while holding their sandwiches, proving that a simple melody could turn processed meat into a household name.
And here’s the kicker—the little boy in the ad? He didn’t even like bologna. Life’s full of irony.
2. Coca-Cola – The Song That Wanted to Change the World
Coca-Cola didn’t just sell soda; they tried to sell world peace in a bottle:
🎶 “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony…” 🎶
It was sweet, idealistic, and ridiculously catchy—so much so that it was later re-released as a pop single. The 1971 commercial, with people singing on a hilltop, remains one of the most iconic ads of all time.
3. McDonald’s – The Ultimate Excuse to Treat Yourself
Feeling exhausted? McDonald’s had just the jingle to justify that cheeseburger run.
🎶 “You deserve a break today… so get up and get away!” 🎶
It was uplifting, energetic, and persuasive, making it nearly impossible to resist the urge to hit the drive-thru. The ad was so successful that it boosted McDonald’s sales by 15%—talk about marketing genius.
4. Toys ‘R’ Us – The Anthem of Childhood
Who wanted to grow up when Toys ‘R’ Us made being a kid sound like the best gig in the world?
🎶 “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” 🎶
This one made every child dream of an endless toy aisle adventure, and let’s be real—many of us are still trying to recreate that feeling in adulthood (hello, online shopping).
5. Frito-Lay – A Snack So Good, It Deserved a Jingle
What’s better than munching on Fritos? Munching a bunch of them!
🎶 “Munch, munch, munch a bunch of Fritos!” 🎶
This cheerful, snack-filled anthem made it impossible to eat just one chip. The playful melody turned an ordinary bag of Fritos into a crunchy, salty party in your mouth.
Even though modern ads focus more on extreme flavors and bold crunch, this jingle still holds a special place in snack history. Who knew a corn chip could be so catchy?
6. Maxwell House – The Coffee That Was ‘Good to the Last Drop’
If coffee had a theme song, this would be it.
🎶 “Good to the last drop!” 🎶
Maxwell House positioned itself as the perfect cup of coffee, and this straightforward yet effective jingle sealed the deal. With a warm, inviting tune, it promised satisfaction in every sip.
Even today, the phrase remains part of Maxwell House’s branding—a testament to the lasting power of a great jingle.
7. Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit – The Gum That Could Move You
Who knew chewing gum could be this exciting?
🎶 “The taste is gonna move ya!” 🎶
This upbeat, energetic jingle made Juicy Fruit feel like a ticket to adventure. Whether you were skateboarding, skiing, or just enjoying life, the song made it seem like this gum could take you places.
Even if it didn’t, at least it made chewing gum sound like an event.
8. Alka-Seltzer – The Bubbly Tune That Made Indigestion Fun
Who knew an antacid commercial could get stuck in your head forever?
🎶 “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” 🎶
This bubbly little jingle was so catchy that it transformed an upset stomach into a singalong moment. And here’s a fun tidbit—Barry Manilow wrote this song! Yep, the Copacabana guy.
9. Big Red – The Gum That Made Kissing Romantic
This wasn’t just gum advertising—this was gum advertising with drama.
🎶 “So kiss a little longer, hold tight a little longer…” 🎶
Apparently, chewing Big Red made your kisses last longer, and based on the commercials, it also made you irresistible.
10. Jell-O – The Dessert That Always Had Room for a Jingle
No meal was complete without a little wiggly, jiggly fun.
🎶 “There’s always room for Jell-O!” 🎶
This simple yet unforgettable slogan made Jell-O the go-to dessert for generations.
Whether it was a school lunch treat or a holiday staple, the catchy tune made sure everyone knew that no matter how full you were, Jell-O always fit in.
11. Doublemint Gum – Twice the Fun, Twice the Catchiness
Why settle for one catchy jingle when you can have two of everything?
🎶 “Double your pleasure, double your fun!” 🎶
Doublemint Gum used twin spokespeople to hammer home the idea that chewing their gum doubled the enjoyment.
The cheerful, lighthearted tune made it impossible to forget, and the ads featuring identical twins made it all the more memorable.
12. Folgers – The Soundtrack of Every Morning
Coffee lovers, this one’s for you:
🎶 “The best part of wakin’ up… is Folgers in your cup!” 🎶
Folgers turned morning grogginess into a musical moment, and to this day, no coffee commercial has topped it.
13. Dr Pepper – The Jingle That Made You Proud to Be a ‘Pepper’
Dr Pepper didn’t just sell soda—they sold a lifestyle.
🎶 “I’m a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, she’s a Pepper, we’re a Pepper!” 🎶
This high-energy jingle made drinking Dr Pepper feel like belonging to an exclusive club. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that? With its peppy tune and fun lyrics, this song cemented itself into pop culture.
Even if you weren’t a fan of the drink, chances are, you were still humming along.
14. Rice-A-Roni – The Jingle That Put San Francisco on the Map (Musically, at Least!)
Some cities have landmarks. San Francisco had a jingle.
🎶 “Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!” 🎶
With just a few simple notes, this tune instantly transported you to cable cars, rolling hills, and a warm, comforting meal.
Though the jingle isn’t as widely played today, it remains one of the most iconic advertising earworms of all time.
15. Kit Kat – The Most Satisfying Break Ever
If you’ve ever mindlessly drummed your fingers on a desk, chances are you were subconsciously recreating this jingle:
🎶 “Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!” 🎶
It’s simple, effective, and dangerously catchy—so much so that it’s still being used today!
16. Pepsi – The Call to Catch the Spirit
Back when Pepsi positioned itself as the cool, youthful alternative, this energetic jingle took over the airwaves:
🎶 “Catch that Pepsi spirit, drink it in, drink it in!” 🎶
Pepsi always tried to outdo Coca-Cola, and this jingle was part of their battle for soda supremacy.