14 Commercial Jingles from the ’60s That Still Pop Into Your Head

1. Alka-Seltzer, “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz”

Wikimedia Commons

There was something so simple and so satisfying about hearing those fizzy words float through the TV speakers. Kids loved it because it sounded fun, and adults loved it because they actually relied on it after a heavy meal. The rhythm made it easy to mimic, and families everywhere found themselves saying it without thinking. Even today, the sound of two tablets dropping into water brings the whole thing rushing back.

The jingle worked because it turned stomach relief into a mini performance. You didn’t just take an antacid, you did the “plop, plop, fizz, fizz” routine. It’s one of those ’60s ad lines that never left the culture and still shows up in jokes, parodies, and nostalgic conversations. Few jingles are as instantly recognizable.

2. Rice-A-Roni, “The San Francisco Treat”

Wikimedia Commons

This one practically transported you to a cable car ride without ever leaving your living room. The lilting tune and that proud “San Francisco treat” label gave the boxed side dish a little dash of magic. It felt like a vacation in a pan, all thanks to a few seconds of music. Even if you never visited the city, you felt like you had.

The melody is still so catchy that it pops up in pop culture from time to time. It’s the kind of tune that settles into your memory like a postcard you forgot you kept. People who grew up with it can still sing every beat with zero hesitation. When a jingle survives decades, you know it did something right.

3. Winston Cigarettes, “Winston Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should”

Wikimedia Commons

This jingle was everywhere, and in the ’60s, cigarette ads were still allowed on TV. That meant this line became part of the soundtrack of the era. The tune was bold and confident, just like the product wanted to appear. Even non-smokers remember the melody because it was so relentlessly catchy.

Looking back, it’s wild to think how normal it was to hear cigarette jingles between cartoons and primetime shows. The line “like a cigarette should” became a phrase people used jokingly in everyday life. It’s a little time capsule of mid-century advertising values. Catchy, clever and unforgettable, even if the product itself faded from TV long ago.

4. Armor Hot Dogs, “What Kind of Kids Eat Armor Hot Dogs?”

Wikimedia Commons

This one might bring back memories of running around the backyard with bare feet and grass stains. The jingle listed all kinds of kids, making everyone feel included in the hot dog universe. It was cheerful in a way only ’60s commercials could pull off. You didn’t need fancy graphics when the tune did all the work.

The song stuck because it felt like a playground chant. Kids would sing it at lunch or on the school bus without even realizing they were quoting an ad. That upbeat melody was impossible to forget once it got lodged in your head. It’s still one of the most charming food jingles of its era.

5. Maxwell House, “Good to the Last Drop”

Wikipedia Public Domain

Coffee lovers everywhere knew this line before they even knew how to drink a cup of coffee. The phrase carried a kind of comforting confidence, like a friend assuring you the day was about to get better. It was a small but steady part of morning routines across America. Even without a full-blown melody, the cadence made it memorable.

The slogan became so familiar that people repeated it in completely unrelated situations. The idea of something being “good to the last drop” took on a life of its own. It’s one of those jingles that shows how powerful a few well-chosen words can be. Its staying power says everything.

6. Chiquita Bananas, “I’m Chiquita Banana and I’ve Come to Say…”

Pexels

This jingle gave bananas a personality long before talking fruit became a trend. The melody had a breezy, tropical feel that made the fruit seem exciting. Kids especially loved the character behind the voice because she sounded friendly and fun. It turned a simple piece of produce into a household star.

The tune stuck with people because it was both cute and unmistakably catchy. Once you heard the opening line, the rest followed automatically. It felt like a mini cartoon embedded inside a commercial break. That lighthearted spirit made it one of the decade’s most lasting jingles.

7. Brylcreem, “A Little Dab’ll Do Ya”

Wikimedia Commons

Anyone who grew up in a household with hair cream knows this one by heart. The line was just playful enough to be funny, especially if you weren’t the one doing your hair. It made grooming sound easy and almost cool, which was the whole point. Plus, it had that perfect sing-song quality.

People remembered it because it felt like advice set to music. It became a shorthand saying, even for things that had nothing to do with hair. Anytime someone used “just a little,” the jingle popped back up. It’s proof that a few clever words can stick around for generations.

8. Pepsi, “Now It’s Pepsi, For Those Who Think Young”

Wikimedia Commons

Pepsi went all-in on youth culture in the ’60s, and this jingle captured that energy. The tune felt new and upbeat, reflecting the shifting cultural landscape. It made Pepsi feel like the drink of the cool crowd, which was exactly what they were aiming for. There was something so confident in its message.

The phrase “think young” became part of the era’s marketing language. It was the kind of jingle that made you picture a sunny day, a jukebox, and friends hanging out. Even now, the melody resurfaces when people talk about vintage soda ads. It remains one of Pepsi’s most iconic lines.

9. Chevrolet, “See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet”

Wikimedia Commons

This one invited you to hit the open road long before GPS existed. The melody felt like a road trip packed into a single line. It made traveling seem glamorous, adventurous and proudly American. Anyone watching TV at the time instantly recognized it.

Part of its longevity comes from the sense of optimism it carried. It made family vacations seem magical and full of possibilities. The jingle became linked with nostalgia for mid-century travel. Even decades after it stopped airing regularly, people still hum it without noticing.

10. Ajax, “Stronger Than Dirt!”

Flickr

With its dramatic shout and memorable rhythm, this jingle stood out from the quieter ads of the decade. It promised cleaning power with almost superhero flair. The quick musical punch left a strong impression. Even if you didn’t buy Ajax, you remembered that final line.

The bold delivery helped cement it in pop culture. Kids repeated it for fun because shouting “Stronger than dirt!” just felt satisfying. It’s the kind of jingle that’s burned into memories simply because it was loud, proud and completely unforgettable. Advertisers couldn’t have asked for a better result.

11. Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum, “Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun”

PICRYL

This jingle made chewing gum sound like a lifestyle. The twins in the commercials became as iconic as the tune itself. The melody was smooth and mellow, the kind that settled comfortably into your mind. It made gum seem like a tiny treat that could brighten your whole day.

People still remember it because the message was so simple and upbeat. “Double your pleasure” became a phrase everyone recognized, even out of context. It’s one of those jingles that feels distinctly ’60s in the best possible way. Sweet, catchy and memorable, just like the gum it promoted.

12. Nestlé’s Quik, “N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestlé’s Makes the Very Best”

Flickr

Spelling out the brand name was a genius move because it made kids chant it right along with the commercial. The jingle felt playful, almost like a clapping game. Everyone who wanted chocolate milk knew exactly how to sing it. It was pure childhood joy set to music.

The line “makes the very best” became instantly recognizable. Even adults found themselves humming it without trying. It’s the kind of musical branding that sticks with you for life. Once you learned those letters, you never forgot them.

13. Dr Pepper, “The Most Original Soft Drink Ever”

Wikimedia Commons

This one had a cool, confident tone that helped Dr Pepper stand out in a crowded soda market. The jingle leaned into the idea of being different, which fit the drink’s reputation. It wasn’t trying to be like anyone else, and the melody made that clear. It gave the brand a certain swagger.

People found it memorable because it felt fresh compared to other soda jingles of the time. It had a rhythm that made you tap your foot. Even today, fans of retro commercials can sing it without missing a beat. Being “original” certainly paid off.

14. Oscar Mayer, “My Bologna Has a First Name”

Wikimedia Commons

Even though it debuted in the mid-’60s, this jingle became the anthem of school lunches everywhere. Kids absolutely adored spelling out the name, and the tune was so catchy you could hear it across playgrounds. It made a simple sandwich feel like the star of the cafeteria. The upbeat melody practically begged to be sung.

The reason it lives on is because it tapped into the joy of childhood. Teaching kids to sing the brand name was pure marketing brilliance. Even adults who haven’t heard it in years can recall every letter effortlessly. It’s one of the most iconic food jingles of all time.

Scroll to Top