1. Oscar Mayer’s “My Bologna Has a First Name”
“I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener…” Wait, wrong one—but just as unforgettable. The “My bologna has a first name” jingle was so catchy, kids everywhere were belting it out at the lunch table. It gave us all a reason to spell out “B-O-L-O-G-N-A” with pride and transformed a simple sandwich staple into something kind of magical.
2. Alka-Seltzer’s “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz”
Few jingles are as instantly recognizable as this one. The cheerful tune reminded us how quickly Alka-Seltzer could fix your indigestion after overindulging. Paired with quirky, memorable visuals—like a guy talking to his stomach—it stuck with anyone who grew up watching TV in the ’60s and ’70s. Admit it, you’ve sung the jingle once or twice when reaching for relief.
3. Life Cereal’s “Mikey Likes It!”
“Hey Mikey! He likes it!” became an instant cultural touchstone, with the skeptical kid reluctantly trying the cereal—and then loving it. This ad captured the essence of picky eaters everywhere and somehow managed to sell breakfast cereal without feeling pushy. Decades later, “Mikey” still lives in our collective memories as the kid who gave Life cereal its staying power.
4. Toys “R” Us’s “I Don’t Want to Grow Up”
The Toys “R” Us jingle wasn’t just an ad—it was a rallying cry for kids who never wanted the magic of toys to end. With lyrics that felt like every child’s dream anthem and footage of kids joyfully playing with every toy imaginable, it became synonymous with childhood. Even adults hummed it while shopping for Christmas gifts, cementing its legacy.
5. Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke“
This commercial wasn’t just selling soda—it was selling harmony. A diverse group of young people gathered on a sunny hilltop, singing about unity and love, with bottles of Coke in hand. At a time when the world was grappling with war and social change, this ad felt like a breath of fresh optimism. It’s still celebrated as one of the most iconic ads ever, and that jingle is probably still stuck in your head.
6. Tidy Bowl Man
Picture this: A tiny man in a captain’s hat piloting a little boat inside a sparkling blue toilet tank. This quirky ad was oddly fascinating and bizarrely captivating for anyone who caught it on TV. It might sound strange now, but for some reason, watching the Tidy Bowl Man do his thing made us want the cleanest toilet in town.
7. The California Raisins’ “Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Claymation raisins singing Motown? It was quirky, it was weird, and somehow it became iconic. This ad took the classic Marvin Gaye song and gave it a funky, raisin-filled twist. The dancing raisins were so popular they turned into a whole franchise, complete with merchandise. What other ad characters could boast that?
8. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today”
Long before the McDonald’s jingle became a few ba-da-ba-ba-bah notes, this full-length ditty was THE tune that defined grabbing a quick meal at the Golden Arches. Featuring cheerful employees and sparkling clean restaurants, the ad made Mickey D’s feel like the ultimate treat for families on the go.
9. Charmin’s “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”
Mr. Whipple, the stern-yet-endearing grocery store manager, scolded customers for squeezing the soft Charmin toilet paper. And yet, you couldn’t resist. This ad series became such a sensation that “Don’t squeeze the Charmin” became a catchphrase. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how something so simple could leave such a mark.
10. Burger King’s “Have It Your Way”
“Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce…” This ad gave customers a sense of power over their burgers in an era when fast food was becoming a one-size-fits-all experience. The catchy jingle and happy customers building their dream Whoppers made Burger King feel revolutionary. Customization might be the norm now, but this was the ad that started it all.
11. Cereal Toy Promos
Okay, this isn’t one specific ad, but it’s impossible not to include those commercials for cereal prizes. From decoder rings to mini cars, the promise of a toy in your cereal box was enough to make kids beg their parents to buy Frosted Flakes. The ads were magical and over-the-top, making that plastic prize seem like treasure.
12. Coca-Cola’s Polar Bears
Although it debuted later, the Coke polar bears feel timeless. Watching those adorable CGI bears sip Coca-Cola during snowy scenes brought a cozy, holiday-like nostalgia that stayed with us. It was simple, heartwarming, and made you crave an ice-cold Coke, even in the middle of winter.
13. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?”
Clara Peller’s gravelly-voiced demand, “Where’s the beef?” turned into a national sensation. The ad poked fun at skimpy burgers while putting Wendy’s square patties in the spotlight. It was funny, relatable, and left everyone quoting the phrase for years. Even today, it’s a reminder of simpler, sillier times in advertising.
14. Meow Mix Jingle
This one’s for the cat lovers. The Meow Mix commercial, with a singing cat “meowing” the jingle, was absurdly charming and impossible to forget. It was cute, a little goofy, and proof that even your pet’s dinner could have a catchy tune.
15. The “Crying Indian” PSA
This public service announcement about littering featured Iron Eyes Cody, a Native American actor, shedding a single tear as he gazed at the trash-strewn landscape. It was haunting, powerful, and left a generation of kids hyper-aware of their responsibility to the planet. It’s one of those ads that shaped the cultural consciousness of the era.
16. Pepsi’s Michael Jackson Commercial
Michael Jackson moonwalking in a Pepsi ad? This was a moment. The King of Pop’s collaboration with Pepsi turned a simple soda ad into a cultural event. While the ad’s production infamously led to Jackson’s on-set accident, the final product was pure magic, blending music and marketing like never before. It’s still remembered as one of the most impactful ad campaigns in history.
