1. Alka-Seltzer’s “Try It, You’ll Like It!”
There was something so wonderfully chaotic about the Alka-Seltzer commercials, especially the one where an actor reluctantly tries a funky dish on set. His hesitant “Try it, you’ll like it” quickly spirals into a full-on stomach disaster, which made the slogan unforgettable. By the time he muttered the line again in pure defeat, viewers at home were already repeating it. It became a staple catchphrase at dinner tables everywhere, usually aimed at a picky eater.
The ad worked because it felt so relatable, especially to families dealing with questionable casseroles or adventurous dinner guests. The actor’s exasperation somehow made the remedy feel trustworthy, like Alka-Seltzer really understood what we all went through. It didn’t hurt that the jingle stuck in your head for days after hearing it. Even now, people hear the phrase and instantly imagine that poor guy clutching his stomach.
2. Heinz Ketchup’s “Anticipation”
Heinz managed to make waiting for ketchup feel like a dramatic event, thanks to that slow-pouring bottle and Carly Simon’s “Anticipation.” The whole thing was shot so seriously that it became funny, because everyone knew the struggle of flipping a glass ketchup bottle and hoping it would cooperate. Kids in the ’70s were practically reenacting the ad at dinner, humming along as the ketchup finally plopped out. It made patience feel like a rite of passage.
The ad worked because it turned a simple condiment into a shared family moment. Parents teased the kids for their lack of patience while secretly knowing they’d done the same thing a thousand times. Heinz didn’t need flashy effects, just the universal experience of waiting for something good. Even decades later, that slow pour still pops into people’s minds whenever a bottle refuses to budge.
3. Life Cereal’s “He Likes It! Hey, Mikey!”
Few commercials hit the adorable jackpot like the Life cereal ad with little Mikey. His brothers push the bowl toward him because he “hates everything,” only to watch in shock as he digs right in. That excited shout, “He likes it! Hey, Mikey!” became the kind of line kids quoted endlessly at breakfast. Parents loved it because it reminded them of breakfast table negotiations at their own house.
What made the ad stick was its sweetness and simplicity. There was nothing complicated, just siblings testing boundaries and accidentally learning something new. It gave Life cereal a playful reputation, even though kids knew it was supposed to be the “healthy” option. Mikey became a mini pop-culture icon without ever saying a word.
4. Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”
This Coca-Cola commercial didn’t just sell soda, it tried to sell world peace, and for a moment it felt like it worked. A hillside full of young people holding bottles and singing in harmony struck a chord with everyone watching TV. The melody was so infectious that you’d find yourself humming it while opening the fridge. It became one of those lines you’d quote even if you couldn’t remember every word.
The ad worked because it tapped into a hopeful feeling the ’70s desperately needed. It felt kind, idealistic, and bigger than a product. Even now, people remember the emotion more than the soda. And if someone starts singing the first line, chances are someone else will join in without missing a beat.
5. McDonald’s “Two All-Beef Patties…”
If you grew up in the ’70s, you probably recited the McDonald’s Big Mac jingle like it was a school assignment. “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun” rolled off the tongue whether you wanted it to or not. Kids tried to say it faster than their friends, turning it into an unofficial playground competition. It was basically the era’s version of a tongue twister.
The brilliance of the commercial was its rhythm, which made it impossible to forget. Even people who didn’t like the Big Mac knew every word. It turned a simple burger description into a mini performance. And decades later, most adults can still recite the whole thing without missing a beat.
6. Tootsie Pop’s “How Many Licks?”
Few commercials sparked as many schoolyard debates as the Tootsie Pop ad with the wise old owl. The boy asks how many licks it takes to reach the center, only for the owl to chomp into it after a dramatic “One, two, three!” That crunch was practically a punchline everyone waited for. It made the question feel like a mystery worth solving.
The commercial stuck because it spoke directly to kids and their curiosity. Everyone tried the experiment at least once, even if they gave up and bit into it just like the owl. The narrator’s voice and the simple animation made it feel timeless. And that iconic question still pops up anytime someone unwraps a Tootsie Pop.
7. Charmin’s “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”
Mr. Whipple’s constant pleas not to squeeze the Charmin became one of the most quotable lines of the decade. He’d scold shoppers, then sneak a squeeze himself when no one was looking, which made the whole thing even funnier. Everyone recognized a bit of Mr. Whipple in themselves, because who could resist testing a soft roll of toilet paper? The ad turned a mundane product into something lighthearted.
People repeated the line everywhere, sometimes teasing family members in the grocery aisle. The character became such a fixture that he felt like part of the store experience. It showed just how far a simple catchphrase could go when paired with a charming character. Even now, mentioning Charmin often leads someone to say the line automatically.
8. Folgers’ “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up”
Folgers didn’t just make a coffee commercial, they made a phrase that became a morning greeting. “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup” became a melodic reminder of early mornings, busy households, and the smell of brewing coffee drifting through the kitchen. Even non-coffee drinkers could hum along because it was everywhere. It was warm and comforting in that very ’70s way.
The commercial worked because it tapped into a universal feeling, the hope that a little caffeine might make the morning smoother. It paired those catchy vocals with scenes of families starting their day. Before long, the jingle was practically part of people’s routines. That line aged so well that it still gets used in jokes and parodies today.
9. Oscar Mayer’s “My Bologna Has a First Name”
Every kid who ever packed a sandwich in the ’70s knew this jingle by heart. The little boy spelling out “O-S-C-A-R” sent countless kids into their own performances at the lunch table. The melody was simple enough that even the shyest kid would belt it out. It made bologna feel like the star of the cafeteria.
The charm came from the innocence of the song. It felt like something any kid could have made up while swinging on a playground. Parents loved it because it was cute, and kids loved it because it stuck in their heads like bubblegum. Even long after bologna fell out of lunchbox rotation, the tune stayed lodged in people’s memories.
10. Chiffon Margarine’s “It’s Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature”
Chiffon’s commercial featuring Mother Nature being tricked into thinking margarine was butter was one of the decade’s funniest. When she realized she’d been fooled, her dramatic “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” came with lightning and thunder, instantly cementing the line into pop-culture history. Kids quoted it every time they felt unfairly treated. It was campy in the best way.
The ad worked because it brought a larger-than-life character into an everyday kitchen dilemma. Mother Nature’s performance gave the margarine a personality boost. It was memorable in a way few food ads manage to be. Even today, people still quote the line when calling out a playful trick.
11. Coca-Cola’s “Mean Joe Greene” Jersey Toss
This heartfelt Coca-Cola commercial showed NFL star Mean Joe Greene limping down a tunnel before a young fan offers him a Coke. After drinking it, Greene famously tosses the fan his jersey with a soft “Hey kid, catch!” That line became one of the most quoted in sports commercial history. It was sweet, emotional, and unexpectedly gentle.
What made it stand out was the sincerity of the moment. The commercial didn’t rely on jokes, just two characters and a shared kindness. Families watched it every holiday season during football broadcasts, which helped it stick. To this day, that jersey toss remains one of the most iconic gestures in advertising.
12. Dr Pepper’s “I’m a Pepper, You’re a Pepper”
Dr Pepper created a whole community with their “I’m a Pepper, you’re a Pepper” jingle, and pretty soon everyone wanted to join in. The ad showed cheerful people dancing and singing about being “Peppers,” which made the drink seem like a secret club. Kids chanted the chorus on the playground without even holding a can. It was one of the most upbeat commercials of the decade.
The charm was in how inclusive the message felt. You didn’t need to know what being a Pepper meant, you just knew it sounded fun. The song had that rare quality where you only needed to hear it once to remember it. Even today, someone mentioning Dr Pepper might accidentally launch into the jingle without warning.
