1. Coca Cola “Hilltop”
The Coca Cola “Hilltop” commercial feels like a gentle postcard from another world. A group of young people standing on a hill, singing about harmony, now reads as both sincere and slightly surreal. There’s no fast editing, no irony, just earnest faces and a soft melody. It reflects a moment when ads tried to sound hopeful rather than clever.
Watching it now, the clothing alone dates it instantly, from bell bottoms to loose knits. The idea that a soda could symbolize global unity feels very ’70s in spirit. It captures a time when advertising leaned into shared ideals instead of product features. That optimism is what makes it feel sealed in amber.
2. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today”
This McDonald’s campaign treated fast food as a small luxury, not a guilty pleasure. The commercial shows families and workers pausing their busy lives for a simple, cheerful meal. Everything about it feels slower and more deliberate than modern ads. The message is about rest and reward rather than speed.
Looking back, it’s striking how calm the pacing is. The restaurants look almost cozy, with earth tones and softer lighting. There’s a sense that eating out was still an event, not a default. That mindset feels firmly rooted in the ’70s.
3. Alka Seltzer “Plop Plop Fizz Fizz”
The Alka Seltzer jingle is instantly recognizable and unapologetically simple. The commercial spells everything out, right down to how many tablets you should use. There’s a friendly confidence in assuming viewers will listen and remember. It treats the audience like adults who want clear instructions.
Today, the literal approach feels almost charming. There’s no attempt to disguise the medicine as something else. The humor is gentle and repetitive, designed to stick. That straightforward tone is a hallmark of the era.
4. Life Cereal “Mikey Likes It”
The Life cereal commercial starring Mikey became iconic for its low key realism. Three kids sit at a table, casually debating whether the picky eater will approve. The moment he likes it feels genuinely surprising rather than staged. It’s a snapshot of everyday family life.
What stands out now is how natural it all feels. There’s no wink to the camera or exaggerated reaction. The kitchen looks lived in, not styled. It feels like a real morning from the ’70s, frozen on film.
5. Band Aid “I Am Stuck on Band Aid”
This commercial leans fully into cheerful repetition. Kids proudly show off bandages as if they’re accessories instead of medical supplies. The song is catchy, bright, and impossible to forget. It turns minor injuries into something almost fun.
Seen today, it’s a perfect example of ’70s earnestness. There’s no irony in kids singing about adhesive bandages. The simplicity of the message is the entire point. It reflects an era when jingles carried the whole campaign.
6. Charmin “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”
Mr. Whipple’s obsession with protecting toilet paper feels strangely polite by today’s standards. The humor is gentle and built around social awkwardness rather than absurdity. Everyone speaks calmly, even when the joke lands. It assumes patience from the viewer.
Now, the concept feels very of its time. The idea of being embarrassed in a grocery store aisle is treated as high comedy. The sets and outfits quietly reinforce the period. It’s a soft, slow kind of humor that defines the decade.
7. Tootsie Pop “How Many Licks”
The Tootsie Pop owl commercial asks a question that still gets quoted today. The animation is simple, almost handmade looking. Each character has a distinct voice and personality. The punchline comes quickly and ends abruptly.
Watching it now highlights how timeless the idea is, even if the style is not. The pacing is brisk but not frantic. There’s no overload of visuals or sound. It feels like a short story rather than a sales pitch.
8. Oscar Mayer Wiener Song
The Oscar Mayer jingle turns a hot dog into a childhood dream. Kids sing about becoming a wiener, with total sincerity. The visuals are playful but not chaotic. Everything about it leans into innocence.
From a modern perspective, it feels almost surreal. The confidence that a simple song could build brand loyalty is very ’70s. There’s no irony, just enthusiasm. That sincerity is what makes it feel like a time capsule.
9. Shake ’n Bake
Shake ’n Bake commercials framed cooking as easy and slightly rebellious. The tagline “and I helped” gave kids a sense of involvement. It presented convenience as empowerment, not laziness. The tone is upbeat but practical.
Today, the kitchens and cookware immediately place it in the ’70s. The focus on family dinner feels central. There’s pride in a simple shortcut. That attitude reflects how home cooking was evolving at the time.
10. Meow Mix “Meow Meow Meow”
The Meow Mix jingle is as literal as advertising gets. Cats sing exactly what they want, over and over. The concept is silly but committed. There’s no attempt to be subtle.
Looking back, the repetition feels almost hypnotic. The visuals are minimal, letting the sound do the work. It’s a reminder of when jingles were the entire strategy. That simplicity marks it as unmistakably ’70s.
11. Calgon “Take Me Away”
The Calgon commercials tapped into a fantasy of escape from daily stress. A stressed woman transforms her bathroom into a spa like retreat. The tone is dramatic but sincere. It treats bath time as a mini vacation.
Now, it feels like an early example of self care marketing. The hairstyles and bathrooms anchor it firmly in the decade. The idea of escape through a household product feels very ’70s. It captures changing attitudes toward relaxation.
12. Crest Cavity Fighting Toothpaste
Crest commercials of the era leaned heavily on authority and reassurance. Dentists and diagrams explained why the product worked. The tone is educational rather than flashy. It assumes viewers want proof.
Seen today, the seriousness stands out. The visuals are simple and instructional. There’s trust in expertise and science. That straightforward confidence makes it feel like a preserved moment from the decade.
