1. “When You Think of Toys – Think of Toys ‘R’ Us!” – Toys “R” Us
Kids didn’t just sing this jingle—they believed it. “When you think of toys – think of Toys ‘R’ Us!” rang out like a battle cry against encroaching adulthood. For a generation of kids, this jingle was a reminder that toys and fun were still the most important things in life and that there was a place just for them. Even now, when you hear the tune, it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for those simpler days spent wandering the aisles of Toys “R” Us, dreaming about the latest action figure or doll.
2. “I Wish I Were an Oscar Mayer Wiener”
Another Oscar Mayer classic, the “I Wish I Were an Oscar Mayer Wiener” jingle, was pure 70s joy. Sung by a chorus of kids with wide-eyed innocence, the jingle was about as wholesome as you could get. The lyrics were playful and ridiculous, but they were exactly what made it stick: “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener, that is what I’d truly like to be!” It was fun, it was silly, and it was unforgettable.
3. “How Many Licks Does It Take?” – Tootsie Pop
Tootsie Pop’s “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” jingle was paired with an unforgettable animated commercial featuring Mr. Owl. This jingle tapped into every kid’s curiosity, sparking countless “experiments” to find out just how many licks it really took. Some of us were way better at the scientific method than Mr. Owl, no offense, dear avian friend. The playful scene and catchy question made it stick in your head, and even though we never got a definitive answer, the tune still makes us smile and crave that chocolate center.
4. “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There”
This jingle is still around today, but it got its start in the 70s. The lyrics were simple, but that’s what made them stick. You’d hear that reassuring line, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there,” and suddenly the world felt a little bit safer, a little more predictable. This particular slogan has double the nostalgia power today especially, since it reminds us of a time when neighbors knew each other and could be counted on for everything—from offering a cup of sugar to babysitting the kids. It was a comforting tune, like a warm blanket on a cold day. And once it’s in your head, there’s no getting rid of it.
5. “Two All-Beef Patties…” – McDonald’s
This jingle wasn’t just a catchy tune—it was a challenge. “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun!” If you could recite it fast enough, you earned some serious bragging rights. McDonald’s Big Mac jingle became a playground game, a competition to see who could say it the quickest without tripping over the words. The melody still haunts us to this day—and if you don’t believe it, just start saying it and see how long it takes before someone joins in.
6. “I Am Stuck on Band-Aid…”
The 70s gave us some absolute earworms, but none quite as sticky as the Band-Aid jingle. “I am stuck on Band-Aid, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me!” sung by a chorus of adorable kids. There was no escape. Whether you were a kid scraping your knees on the playground or a parent slapping Band-Aids on left and right, this tune was always there, reminding you of that comforting little adhesive strip. Admit it, you’re humming it now.
7. “Hold the Pickle, Hold the Lettuce” – Burger King
Burger King brought personalization to fast food with their “Have it your way” campaign. And the jingle? It was unforgettable. “Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us.” Who knew you could get a jingle stuck in your head and have your burger exactly the way you wanted it? This was 70s innovation at its best, and the tune still pops up when you think about customizing your meal.
8. “Meow Meow Meow Meow…” – Meow Mix
Meow Mix didn’t need words—just the sound of cats “singing” along to the jingle was enough to etch this tune into the collective memory of the 70s. “Meow meow meow meow…” on a loop. It was cute, it was repetitive, and it was impossible to forget. Even if you weren’t a cat person, this one stuck in your brain like a catchy, never-ending song. If you had cats, they probably perked up every time they heard it too.
9. “You Deserve a Break Today” – McDonald’s
McDonald’s struck again with another jingle, this time encouraging people to take a break. “You deserve a break today” was the slogan, and it hit right at a time when fast food was becoming a beloved escape from cooking at home. This jingle had an upbeat, almost marching-band feel to it, urging you to head to your local McDonald’s for a little treat. And guess what? You still deserve a break today… and you still can’t stop hearing that tune in your head.
10. “Snap! Crackle! Pop!” – Rice Krispies
Rice Krispies weren’t just a breakfast cereal—they were a musical trio. Snap, Crackle, and Pop sang their way into the hearts and minds of kids (and their parents) with a jingle as peppy as the sounds the cereal made in the bowl. Every time you poured milk over your cereal, it was like the jingle came to life, and suddenly breakfast was a concert. It’s a jingle that’s more sound effect than song, but it’s one you never forget.
11. “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” – Coca-Cola
This one wasn’t just a jingle—it was an anthem of peace, love, and sharing. Coca-Cola’s 1971 jingle, “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” featured a chorus of fresh-faced singers standing on a hill, harmonizing about unity and happiness. The melody was so infectious that it became a hit single. Even today, if you hum those first few notes, it’ll immediately transport you back to that era of bell-bottoms and peace signs. It’s impossible to get it out of your head once it’s in there.
12. “We Are Flintstones Kids” – Flintstones Vitamins
Whether you loved the fruity, chewable vitamins or pretended to take them (then spat them out), the jingle was everywhere. “We are Flintstones kids, 10 million strong and growing!” It was a jingle meant to convince both kids and parents that these vitamins were the key to growing up healthy and strong, just like Fred and Wilma. Even now, decades later, that melody still floats in the background when you see those colorful, character-shaped vitamins on a shelf.
13. “There’s No Single Gum Like It” – Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum
Wrigley’s Doublemint gum had one of the catchiest, bounciest jingles of the 70s, starring relatable, comfortably familiar vignettes of a good life both calm and eventful. These clips, coupled with its promising slogan, made chewing gum seem like a magical experience, where everything was better when there were two. Every time you popped a stick of gum in your mouth, that jingle was sure to follow, playing in your head like a sugary sweet melody.
The 70s were a golden era of commercial jingles, and it’s hard to believe how many of them are still rattling around in our heads after all these years. Before streaming, smartphones, and personalized ads, these jingles ruled the airwaves, drilling themselves into our memories with their catchy, repetitive melodies. They became more than just background noise—they were the soundtrack of our childhoods, and once you hear them again, it’s like no time has passed at all.
