1. Coca-Cola “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke”
The famous Coca-Cola Hilltop commercial looked like a mini music festival filmed on a grassy mountain. A huge group of smiling young people from around the world stood together singing about harmony and soda. It was meant to feel hopeful and unifying, and at the time it truly did. Watching it now, the whole thing feels almost dreamlike in its pure, sugary optimism.
Modern viewers can’t help noticing how simple the message was. Apparently all global conflict could be solved if everyone just shared a Coke. The hairstyles and outfits scream early ’70s in the best possible way. It is sweet and sincere, but also a little unintentionally funny today. Advertising has gotten a lot more cynical since then.
2. Calgon “Take Me Away”
Few commercials captured everyday stress like the classic Calgon bath ads. A frazzled woman would be shown dealing with noisy kids, ringing phones, and total household chaos. Then she dramatically cried out, “Calgon, take me away!” and instantly escaped into a peaceful bubble bath. It treated bath powder like a magical rescue portal.
Today the ad feels both relatable and a little over the top. The idea that one product could completely erase life’s frustrations seems almost adorable now. Modern commercials tend to be more subtle about selling fantasy. Back then, they went all in without apology. The message was simple, moms need a break and Calgon will save the day.
3. Enjoli Perfume “I Can Bring Home the Bacon”
This perfume commercial turned into a full musical number about the modern working woman. The star sang about bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan, and still never letting her husband forget he’s a man. It was meant to celebrate independence and femininity all at once. The jingle was unbelievably catchy and confident.
Seen through modern eyes, the message is a little exhausting. The woman in the ad is expected to have a career, cook dinner, and look glamorous without breaking a sweat. It tried to present this as empowerment, but it also piled on a lot of pressure. Advertising today would probably rethink that angle. Still, the song remains stuck in the heads of anyone who heard it.
4. Life Cereal “Mikey Likes It”
The Life cereal commercial with Mikey became one of the most quoted ads of the decade. Two brothers cautiously pushed a bowl of cereal toward their picky little sibling, sure he would hate it. Instead, he happily dug in, leading to the classic line, “He likes it!” It was simple, cute, and incredibly effective.
Now it feels almost too basic compared to modern ads packed with special effects. Three kids at a table and a bowl of cereal were enough to sell millions of boxes. There were no cartoons or flashy graphics, just a relatable family moment. That kind of straightforward charm is rare in commercials today. The whole thing feels like a time capsule of quieter advertising.
5. Charmin “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”
Poor Mr. Whipple spent years begging grocery store customers to stop squeezing the toilet paper. The commercials showed shoppers sneaking up to test the softness while he panicked in the aisles. It turned bathroom tissue into a full soap opera storyline. The idea was that Charmin was so irresistible, people couldn’t keep their hands off it.
Watching now, it is amazing how dramatic the ads made such an ordinary product. Modern commercials would probably never focus on strangers fondling packages in a store. The whole concept feels a little strange and slightly uncomfortable today. But at the time, everyone knew Mr. Whipple by name. He became one of the most recognizable characters on television.
6. Nair “Who Wears Short Shorts”
The Nair hair removal commercials leaned hard into the fashion trends of the decade. Groups of confident women danced around in very tiny shorts while a catchy song played in the background. The message was clear, smooth legs meant freedom and fun. It was bright, bubbly, and very bold for its time.
Looking back, the ad feels like a pure snapshot of ’70s culture. The outfits, the music, and the attitudes are all turned up to maximum volume. Today it might be considered a little cheesy or overly focused on appearance. Back then it was presented as carefree and empowering. Either way, it is impossible to forget once you see it.
7. Oscar Mayer “My Bologna Has a First Name”
This commercial featured a kid happily singing about his love for bologna in the middle of a sunny field. The entire ad was built around one simple jingle that practically every child learned by heart. There were no jokes, no gimmicks, just a catchy tune and a sandwich. Somehow that was more than enough.
By today’s standards, it seems almost unbelievably wholesome. Modern ads for food often feel fast, loud, and full of attitude. This one was gentle, innocent, and almost relaxing. It treated processed lunch meat like a source of pure childhood joy. The sincerity is what makes it feel so wild now.
8. Alka-Seltzer “Plop Plop Fizz Fizz”
The Alka-Seltzer commercials turned stomach relief into a full musical event. People with exaggerated heartburn would drop two tablets into water while a cheerful jingle played. The slogan promised instant comfort in the catchiest way possible. It made indigestion seem almost fun.
Seeing it now, the acting style looks wonderfully dramatic. Everyone in the ads behaved like they were in a stage play about upset stomachs. Modern medicine commercials tend to be calmer and more realistic. These were loud, goofy, and proud of it. Somehow the simple tune is still memorable decades later.
9. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today”
McDonald’s commercials in the ’70s treated fast food like a well earned reward for surviving daily life. Happy families and cheerful workers were shown heading to the restaurant with big smiles. The message was that a hamburger could fix just about any bad day. It felt warm, friendly, and incredibly upbeat.
Today the idea of fast food as a relaxing escape feels a little outdated. Modern ads focus more on value meals and quick service than emotional comfort. These commercials were all about slowing down and enjoying a treat. They painted McDonald’s as a cozy gathering place rather than a drive through. The tone is very different from what we see now.
10. Virginia Slims “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby”
Cigarette ads were still allowed on television at the start of the decade, and Virginia Slims aimed straight at women. The commercials showed images of old fashioned restrictions followed by modern, liberated women lighting up. Smoking was presented as a symbol of freedom and equality. It was glossy, stylish, and very confident.
From a modern perspective, the whole concept is shocking. An ad linking cigarettes to women’s rights would never fly today. The health risks are now too well known for that kind of messaging. Back then it was considered clever and progressive. Now it mostly feels like a strange piece of social history.
11. Clairol Herbal Essences “Yes Yes Yes”
The original Herbal Essences shampoo commercials were surprisingly dramatic. Women were shown washing their hair in a state of total bliss, practically shouting with joy. The ads treated shampoo like a life changing experience. Subtlety was definitely not part of the plan.
Seen now, the over the top reactions look unintentionally hilarious. Modern beauty ads tend to aim for elegance and calm. These went in the complete opposite direction with big emotions and wild enthusiasm. The commercial felt more like a soap opera scene than a product pitch. It certainly made an impression, even if it seems a little ridiculous today.
12. Shake ’n Bake “And I Helped”
The Shake ’n Bake commercials made boxed dinner coatings feel like a family bonding experience. A small child would proudly announce, “And I helped,” after assisting with an easy meal. It suggested that anyone could cook something impressive with almost no effort. Convenience was sold as a form of togetherness.
Now the ad looks charmingly old fashioned. The idea of heavily processed meal kits being presented as home cooking feels very ’70s. Modern food advertising often focuses on freshness and natural ingredients instead. These commercials celebrated shortcuts without a hint of guilt. They perfectly captured the era’s love of quick and easy solutions.
