If there’s one thing about growing up in the 70s and 80s, it’s that TV commercials were a huge part of our lives. Those jingles and taglines got stuck in our heads, and let’s be honest—they’re still in there today. Whether we were sitting in front of the tube on a Saturday morning or watching prime-time with the family, these commercials became more than just ads. They were part of the cultural fabric of our youth. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with these iconic TV commercials that we can still recite without even thinking.
1. “My Bologna Has a First Name…” – Oscar Mayer
If you didn’t sing along to this one, were you even a 70s or 80s kid? “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R…” Every kid knew it, and it wasn’t just a jingle—it was a rite of passage. It also made Oscar Mayer’s bologna a lunchtime staple for millions of kids.
3. “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing” – Alka-Seltzer
This one’s a classic. After a night of overindulgence, poor Frank is sitting in bed, holding his stomach, moaning, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” His wife, not particularly impressed, tells him to take some Alka-Seltzer. It’s the perfect slogan for anyone who’s ever regretted that extra slice of pizza or third helping of dessert. And we’ve all been there.
4. “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” – Alka-Seltzer (Again!)
Speaking of Alka-Seltzer, their commercials were on fire back in the day. Who could forget the jingle, “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!”? It was simple, catchy, and stuck with us. Every time you dropped those tablets into water, you couldn’t help but sing along.
5. “Where’s the Beef?” – Wendy’s
Clara Peller’s grumpy demand, “Where’s the beef?” in Wendy’s 1984 ad became an instant catchphrase. The commercial poked fun at competitors’ skimpy burgers, and that line was everywhere—on t-shirts, in political debates, and even used as a joke by comedians. We can still hear her gravelly voice as clearly as ever.
6. “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” – Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s 1971 ad, featuring a diverse group of people singing “I’d like to buy the world a Coke,” felt like a mini-movement. It was about more than soda—it was about unity, hope, and good vibes, all set to a feel-good jingle. It’s no wonder people are still humming it today.
7. “Mikey Likes It!” – Life Cereal
Life cereal was just a plain ol’ cereal until that famous commercial featuring little Mikey came out. His brothers were convinced he wouldn’t like the healthy cereal, but when Mikey started munching away, they were shocked. “He likes it! Hey, Mikey!” And from then on, that phrase was every parent’s go-to when trying to get picky eaters to try something new.
8. “Don’t Leave Home Without It” – American Express
This classic tagline was brought to life by actor Karl Malden, who urged us not to leave home without our American Express card. The phrase became synonymous with the brand, evoking feelings of importance and necessity. Even today, we often quote it when discussing essential items we can’t forget to bring along.
8. “Time to Make the Donuts” – Dunkin’ Donuts
Poor Fred the Baker—up before the crack of dawn, every day, muttering, “Time to make the donuts.” Dunkin’ Donuts turned Fred into a household icon, representing the hard-working, slightly exhausted early bird. And even though we laughed, we appreciated Fred’s dedication to fresh donuts every morning.
9. “Have It Your Way” – Burger King
Burger King’s jingle “Have it your way, at Burger King” gave us all a sense of control. No onions? Extra pickles? Sure thing! The song drilled home the message that you could customize your burger just the way you liked it. We sang it, we believed it, and, yeah, we ate a lot of burgers because of it.
10. “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin” – Charmin
Mr. Whipple, the ever-watchful grocery store clerk, constantly reminding customers, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin,” was one of the most famous characters in TV ad history. He couldn’t even follow his own rule—often sneaking a squeeze himself! It was charming and fun, and somehow made toilet paper seem, well, irresistible.
11. “Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking” – Timex
When you needed a reliable watch, Timex was your brand. And why? Because it “takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” The commercials showed watches being subjected to all kinds of abuse—dunked in water, strapped to a speedboat propeller, you name it—and they’d always survive. It was the ultimate testament to durability, and the slogan became a way of describing anything that could withstand a beating.
12. “A Little Dab’ll Do Ya” – Brylcreem
Brylcreem, the hair product for men, had one of the catchiest jingles around: “Brylcreem, a little dab’ll do ya!” The commercial convinced men that just a small amount of this product would keep their hair perfectly slicked and stylish. It’s one of those jingles that became ingrained in pop culture and still pops up when talking about old-school grooming.
Those were the days when commercials were as much a part of the TV experience as the shows themselves. Sure, they were ads, but they were also fun, memorable, and often hilarious. Whether it was singing along to a catchy jingle or quoting a favorite line with friends, these commercials worked their way into our hearts—and even today, we can’t help but smile when we remember them.
