12 Commercial Jingles You’ll Never Get Out of Your Head
Here's a dozen unforgettable jingles that wormed their way into our ears — and stayed there — these iconic tunes prove that a catchy melody can sell anything from fast food to footlongs.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
This list dives into 12 of the most unforgettable commercial jingles that have shaped pop culture and embedded themselves in our collective memory. From the nostalgic charm of “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” to the endlessly hummable “I’m Lovin’ It,” these tunes show how music and marketing can create emotional connections that last for decades. Whether you sang them as a kid or still catch yourself humming them today, these jingles prove the power of a perfect hook.
1. McDonald’s – “I’m Lovin’ It”
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That catchy five-note hook, “ba da ba ba baa,” has been stuck in our collective heads since 2003. It’s hard to believe Justin Timberlake recorded the original version as part of a global rebrand. Decades later, even if you’re not loving it, your brain still hums along.
2. Kit Kat – “Gimme a Break”
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“Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!” If you grew up watching TV in the ’80s or ’90s, you can probably sing it word-for-word without trying. It’s a jingle that is so sticky that it practically comes preloaded into your memory.
3. Folgers – “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up”
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This one’s more than a tune — it’s a morning ritual. “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup,” crooned its way into America’s kitchens starting in the 1980s. It tied caffeine to comfort in just a few soothing notes.
4. Oscar Mayer – “I Wish I Were an Oscar Mayer Wiener”
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It’s impossible to hear this one and not picture a bouncy melody and a bunch of happy kids singing. First aired in 1963, the jingle made hot dogs whimsical and iconic. Who knew processed meat could sound so wholesome?
5. State Farm – “Like a Good Neighbor”
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Written by Barry Manilow (yes, that Barry Manilow), this jingle first hit the airwaves in 1971. Its reassuring message and simple melody made State Farm feel like a friend you could count on. The line’s still going strong today, a rare feat in ad longevity.
6. Chili’s – “I Want My Baby Back Ribs”
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“Baby back, baby back, baby back…” It started as a jingle and somehow morphed into a cultural moment — boosted further when Mike Myers sang it as Fat Bastard in Austin Powers. The baritone “Barbecue sauce” line? Unforgettable.
7. Band-Aid – “I Am Stuck on Band-Aid Brand”
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This jingle turned sticking a bandage on a boo-boo into a moment of joy. “I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me” was a catchy way of reminding people why the brand was better. By the way, this is another Barry Manilow composition!
8. Meow Mix – “Meow Meow Meow Meow”
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Just a series of “meows” synced to a melody — and yet it’s one of the most recognizable jingles of all time. First aired in the ’70s, it’s been bringing smiles (and maybe eye-rolls) to pet lovers ever since. It’s cat food branding at its most absurdly brilliant.
9. Empire Carpet – “800-588-2300 Empire!”
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A phone number has never been so singable. This regional jingle exploded into national consciousness thanks to its infectious tune and old-school animation. You probably don’t need carpet, but you know that number.
10. Nationwide – “Nationwide Is on Your Side”
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Short, sweet, and emotionally resonant, this jingle has taken on new life in the age of Peyton Manning and Brad Paisley duets. It’s been around since 1965, originally sung in a straightforward, comforting tone. It’s advertising that feels like a lullaby.
11. Subway – “Five Dollar Footlong”
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The tune is as simple as the price point: “Five. Five dollar. Five dollar footlong.” Introduced during the Great Recession, it hit at just the right time — a cheap lunch and a catchy jingle. Too bad inflation came for the deal, but not for the tune.
12. Toys “R” Us – “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”
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A heartstring-tugger for ‘80s and ‘90s kids, this jingle captured the magic of toy store wonder. “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid” wasn’t just a song — it was a childhood mantra. Now that the stores are mostly gone, the jingle feels like a bittersweet echo.