What makes a commercial jingle truly great? Is it the catchy tune you can’t get out of your head? Or maybe it’s the way it instantly brings a brand to mind? Great jingles are timeless, easy to recognize, and just plain fun to sing or hum. They stick with us long after we’ve heard them, sometimes even making us crave products we didn’t know we wanted! Plus, they can bring back some pretty fun memories. Get ready to take a trip down memory lane as we explore ten of the most memorable commercial jingles you probably can’t stop singing.
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10 “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” by Coca-Cola
No chat about jingles feels complete without mentioning Coca-Cola. That’s why we’re kicking off our list with a true classic: “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke.” This iconic tune first hit the airwaves in 1971. It was part of Coke’s “It’s the Real Thing” campaign, which aimed to show Coca-Cola as a symbol of peace and togetherness during a time of social change.
The idea for this heartwarming commercial sparked when Bill Backer, an ad executive, found himself stranded in an Irish airport. He watched as people from all walks of life laughed and shared Cokes together. This moment inspired the jingle’s lyrics, capturing that feeling of unity. The commercial, featuring young people from around the globe singing on an Italian hilltop, was a massive hit. It quickly became one of advertising’s most beloved jingles and still reminds us of harmony today.
9 “Give Me a Break” by Kit Kat
The “Give Me a Break” jingle is a candy bar anthem! It’s been linked with Kit Kat, the chocolate-covered wafer treat, for many years. This catchy tune actually started in the UK back in 1957, where Kit Kat first appeared in 1935. British composer Jack Strachey wrote the music, and ad exec Donald McGill penned the famous words. The original TV ad showed a stressed office worker enjoying a Kit Kat, presenting it as the perfect quick escape.
It was so popular that other countries adopted it. In the U.S., the jingle made its debut in a Kit Kat commercial in 1986. It was tweaked a bit for American ears but kept its unforgettable melody and lyrics. Since then, “Give Me a Break” has been in countless Kit Kat ads, becoming a sweet part of the brand’s identity. It’s so well-known it’s been parodied and referenced in pop culture many times!
8 “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There” by State Farm
Everyone hopes for a good neighbor – someone reliable and caring. State Farm tapped into this universal wish perfectly! They’ve positioned themselves as that helpful neighbor in the insurance world for years. The famous jingle, created by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, has been a staple of State Farm commercials since 1971.
It’s catchy and memorable, just like a great jingle should be, and has helped make State Farm a household name. By comparing the company to a neighbor, the jingle created a warm, relatable message. It suggested clients could reach out anytime, just as they would with a friendly neighbor during tough times. State Farm has kept this tune consistent, making it familiar to people of all ages. Truly timeless!
7 “Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz” by Alka Seltzer
“Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is!” This jingle is instantly recognizable as Alka-Seltzer’s theme song. First appearing in a TV commercial in 1976, it quickly became one of the most famous advertising tunes ever. Alka-Seltzer itself, an antacid, has been around since 1931.
The jingle was born at Wade Advertising, a New York agency. Musician Tom Dawes (from the band The Cyrkle) and ad executive Charles “Chas” Calacanis got their inspiration from the sound Alka-Seltzer tablets make when dropped in water. They brilliantly turned that sound into the catchy “plop plop fizz fizz” lyrics. The jingle, sung by studio singers and paired with an animated commercial featuring Speedy, was an immediate hit. It boosted sales and became a pop culture staple, often parodied but always remembered.
6 “Oscar Mayer Weiner” by Oscar Mayer
The Oscar Mayer wiener jingle is a classic singalong that has been featured in the company’s commercials for many decades. It was first cooked up in 1962 by the N.W. Ayer & Son advertising agency and quickly became a favorite with audiences far and wide. You probably know the words: “Oh, I’d love to be an Oscar Mayer wiener / That is what I’d truly like to be / ‘Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / Everyone would be in love with me.”
Chicago composer Richard D. Trentlage, who also created many other ad jingles, wrote this memorable tune. It was so successful it turned into a cultural icon, appearing in commercials, on radio, and even in movies and TV shows. While it has been updated over the years, the basic melody and that catchy “wiener” refrain have stuck around, making it one of the most recognized jingles ever. It even inspired the famous Wienermobiles!
5 “It’s Slinky” by James Industries
“What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, and makes a slinkity sound?” The Slinky jingle is an unforgettable tune created in the 1960s to promote the simple, springy toy invented by naval engineer Richard James in the early 1940s. The Slinky itself is just a long, thin spring that can hilariously walk down stairs or slopes.
The original catchy jingle was actually written by James’s wife, Betty James, and her brother-in-law, Richard James Jr. It debuted in a TV commercial in the early 1960s and quickly became a beloved part of American pop culture. The lyrics, “A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing! Everyone knows it’s Slinky!” are instantly recognizable. While updated over time, the core tune and words have largely stayed the same, making it a classic that still brings a smile to faces of all ages.
4 “You’re a Pepper” by Dr. Pepper
The “You’re a Pepper” jingle is one of America’s most famous advertising themes, strongly associated with Dr. Pepper for decades. It was dreamed up by a creative team at the Doyle Dane Bernbach ad agency in the early 1970s and first aired in a Dr. Pepper TV commercial in 1977.
The lyrics, including the catchy lines “You’re a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, she’s a Pepper, we’re a Pepper,” were meant to say that Dr. Pepper was the drink for people who dared to be different and unique. The public loved it, and the jingle quickly became a widespread cultural hit. It was so effective that it spearheaded a larger ad campaign, significantly boosting Dr. Pepper’s market share and helping it become a top soft drink brand. Even today, this jingle is a testament to how a catchy tune can capture the public’s heart.
3 “I’m Lovin’ It” by McDonald’s
The “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is a globally recognized and hugely successful campaign created for McDonald’s in 2003. It was developed by the advertising agency Heye & Partner, part of DDB Worldwide. At the time, McDonald’s sales were dipping, and this campaign was designed to breathe new life into the brand and connect with a younger audience.
The jingle itself was crafted by German music producer Tom Batoy and his team. Its simple “Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I’m lovin’ it” melody was designed to be super catchy and make people associate McDonald’s with happy feelings. To give it star power, popular artists like Justin Timberlake, Nelly, and Pharrell Williams performed versions of the jingle. The campaign was a massive success worldwide, and the tune remains a key part of McDonald’s advertising, showing how a simple phrase can have a huge impact.
2 “My Bologna Has a First Name” by Oscar Mayer
Making its second appearance on our list, Oscar Mayer struck gold again with “My bologna has a first name.” This jingle, created in 1973, has become one of the most iconic advertising slogans in American pop culture. It was the brainchild of a young ad executive named Tim McElligott from N.W. Ayer & Son.
The delightful lyrics spell it out: “My bologna has a first name, It’s O-S-C-A-R, My bologna has a second name, It’s M-A-Y-E-R…” This charming tune was an instant hit on TV and radio. Over the years, Oscar Mayer has used variations, but the core jingle remains a much-loved classic. It even ranked #21 on Advertising Age’s list of the 100 Best Ad Campaigns of All Time in 2010, and for many, it still brings back fond memories of childhood sandwiches.
1 “Band-Aid” by Johnson & Johnson
To wrap up our list of unforgettable jingles, we travel back to a classic hit from the 1970s: the Band-Aid jingle. Just hearing this tune can still make you feel warm and safe. The catchy song played alongside commercials showing Band-Aids sticking firmly to wounds, even in water or other tricky situations, highlighting their reliability. Johnson & Johnson really knew how to promote their product!
The jingle clearly described the benefits of using their Band-Aids, painting a picture of a superior bandage for any cut or scrape. With its pleasant melody, the ad made sure that if you got a boo-boo, Johnson & Johnson’s Band-Aid was the first thing you’d think of. “I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me!” – a jingle that truly stuck with us through the years.
These jingles did more than just sell products; they became a part of our shared cultural soundtrack. They prove that a little bit of music can go a long way in making a brand unforgettable.
Which of these catchy jingles is your all-time favorite, or is there another one that’s always stuck in your head? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!