10 ‘Forgotten’ Commercial Jingles From the ’70s and ’80s That Deserve a Revival
Before ads started chasing clicks and algorithms, brands had a simpler tactic that worked almost too well: getting stuck in your head. The 1970s and 1980s used short jingles as quick-to-produce marketing tools that became hard to forget. Sure, some were irritating, but they drove sales and brand recall in ways few ads could match. Can you recall these ones?
Plop Plop Fizz Fizz
Credit: Youtube
Alka-Seltzer made “Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz” widely known by showing two tablets dropped into water. Paul Margulies wrote the lyrics in 1953, and Thomas W. Dawes composed the ad version. A 1975 commercial with Speedy increased its reach. Advertising Age ranked it 13th among 20th-century ad campaigns.
My Bologna Has A First Name
Credit: Youtube
Oscar Mayer launched this tune in the early 1970s as a follow-up to its hot dog campaign. The lyrics spelled out “B-O-L-O-G-N-A,” which made the brand easy to remember. Ads targeted children directly, and constant repetition helped the tune stick across generations.
I’d Like To Buy The World A Coke
Credit: Youtube
In January 1971, a delayed flight inspired Coca-Cola executive Bill Backer to write this line on a napkin. Art director Harvey Gabor pushed for a global chorus filmed on a hillside. The ad featured the “First United Chorus of the World,” and the beverage brand received over 100,000 letters following its airing.
You Deserve A Break Today
Credit: Youtube
McDonald’s introduced this campaign in 1971 to market fast food as a pause in a busy day. Early commercials featured John Amos, and the message aligned with the chain’s rapid expansion across the United States. Sidney E. Woloshin composed the music, and Warren Pfaff wrote the lyrics.
Break Me Off A Piece Of That KitKat Bar
Credit: Reddit
“Break Me Off a Piece of That KitKat Bar” became the final version after testing showed audiences preferred it over the original line, “Gimme a Break.” Michael Levine created the melody, reportedly inspired during an elevator ride. Following the campaign rollout, demand increased, and Hershey’s expanded production.
Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun
Credit: Youtube
Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum used the tune throughout the 1970s, often featuring twins to reinforce the message. This phrase became closely tied to the product and remained in use for years. The campaign relied on repetition and a simple structure designed for recall.
I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m A Toys “R” Us Kid
Credit: Youtube
Created at J. Walter Thompson, this Toys “R” Us campaign marketed its stores as imaginative spaces. A toy piano played a role in this 1982 jingle, with Linda Kaplan Thaler composing the music and James Patterson writing the lyrics.
Have It Your Way
Credit: Youtube
Burger King introduced this slogan and song in 1974 with customization in mind, setting it apart from competitors at the time. It became so recognizable that Burger King revived variations of it in later campaigns, including the “You Rule” marketing push launched in 2022.
I Wish I Was An Oscar Mayer Wiener
Credit: Youtube
“I Wish I Was an Oscar Mayer Wiener” was written by Richard Trentlage in about an hour. The jingle promoted the Oscar Mayer brand and reached around 49 million U.S. households. The campaign later expanded to 19 countries and stayed in use for years.
Everyone Loves A Slinky
Credit: Youtube
“Everyone Loves a Slinky” became widely recognized after ads showed the toy moving down stairs. Richard James created the Slinky, and Betty James marketed it across the U.S. The jingle and clear demonstration made the product easy to understand and helped turn it into a household name.