10 ’70s TV Jingles That Are Still Stuck in Your Head

These ten TV jingles from the 1970s were so catchy and well-crafted that people still remember them decades later.

Sophia Zapanta
May 22, 2025
4 min read

10 ’70s TV Jingles That Are Still Stuck in Your Head — KoolShooters on Pexels

In the 1970s, advertising relied heavily on original music to build brand recognition. Many of the jingles created during this time were simple, memorable, and easy to sing along to. Their repetition and emotional connection helped them last far beyond the original commercials they were written for.

1. McDonald’s – “You Deserve a Break Today” (1971)

McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons

This jingle was part of a nationwide campaign to associate McDonald’s with relaxation and reward. The melody was easy to remember, and the message resonated with busy working Americans. It was composed by the advertising firm Needham, Harper & Steers and performed by a professional jingle choir. It became one of the most recognizable fast-food slogans of the decade.

2. Coca-Cola – “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” (1971)

angrit on Wikimedia Commons

Originally written as a jingle for Coca-Cola, it was so popular that it was adapted into a full-length song called “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” The commercial featured people from different backgrounds singing together on a hilltop. It was meant to symbolize unity and peace through a shared product. Coca-Cola reused the melody in multiple campaigns afterward.

3. Oscar Mayer – “My Bologna Has a First Name” (1973)

Oscar Mayer on Wikimedia Commons

This jingle featured a young child spelling out “O-S-C-A-R” and “M-A-Y-E-R” in a tune that was simple and repetitive. It helped children and adults memorize the brand name easily. The ad focused on lunchbox culture and family meals, making it relatable across the country. It stayed in circulation for years and became part of American pop culture.

4. Alka-Seltzer – “Plop Plop Fizz Fizz” (1976 version)

Henk Albert de Klerk on Wikimedia Commons

Though first introduced earlier, the mid-’70s version of this jingle reinforced the brand’s identity with a bright and bouncy rhythm. The ad used sound effects and a sing-song delivery to stick in the mind. It was widely parodied and referenced in other media. Alka-Seltzer used this campaign to push recognition of its fizzy format.

5. Band-Aid – “I Am Stuck on Band-Aid” (1975)

Votpuske on Wikimedia Commons

The song used a literal hook to describe the product’s adhesive quality: “I am stuck on Band-Aid, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me.” It was written by Barry Manilow, who composed several commercial jingles before his solo music career took off. The lyrics matched the product function with a melody that kids could easily sing. It ran for years and was adapted into animated and live-action versions.

6. Meow Mix – “Meow Meow Meow Meow” (1976)

Daylen on Wikimedia Commons

This jingle used only the word “meow” repeated to a melody that mimicked a cat’s vocal rhythm. It was simple, rhythmic, and instantly associated with the product. The ad often featured cats appearing to “sing” the song, making it appealing to kids and adults. Its minimal lyrics and direct branding made it highly effective.

7. State Farm – “Like a Good Neighbor” (1971)

Warren LeMay on Wikimedia Commons

Written by Barry Manilow, this jingle was designed to create a sense of trust and personal connection. It was used to position State Farm as more than just a business — it wanted to be seen as a reliable part of the community. The melody was soft and reassuring, which helped it stand out from louder commercial sounds. It became the brand’s core message for decades.

8. Kit Kat – “Gimme a Break” (late 1970s)

Ravindradevi mint on Wikimedia Commons

While it gained more fame in the 1980s, this jingle was first introduced in the late 1970s. It focused on the product’s connection to quick rest or snack breaks. The repeated phrase “Gimme a break” paired with the snapping of the chocolate bar created a sensory link. The tune was short, energetic, and tied directly to the product’s name and experience.

9. Folgers – “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” (1970s version)

Jo Naylor on Wikimedia Commons

This coffee jingle started developing in the 1970s, though the version most people remember came in the 1980s. Early ads already focused on the emotional morning ritual of coffee drinking. The phrase paired well with warm imagery of home and family. It was one of the first coffee brands to use music to connect emotionally with daily habits.

10. Dr Pepper – “Be a Pepper” (1977)

Click Americana on Wikimedia Commons

This jingle introduced the line “I’m a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, she’s a Pepper,” encouraging people to identify with the brand. The campaign used choreographed dancing and upbeat music to present the drink as fun and different. The goal was to make Dr Pepper stand out in a crowded soda market. The jingle became closely tied to the brand’s identity for years.