14 Iconic ’80s Commercial Slogans No One Uses Anymore
A blast from the past, these unforgettable '80s commercial slogans once ruled the airwaves and shaped pop culture—before vanishing like a bubble.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The 1980s were a golden age of advertising when jingles and slogans became instantly ingrained in the popular consciousness. Whether fast food slogans, public service announcements, or jingles for household brands, these slogans became an ingrained part of our collective psyche—only to go unnoticed as trends changed. Here’s a look at 14 of the most memorable ’80s slogans that dominated the airwaves but have since been lost to time, leaving behind only pure, unadulterated nostalgia.
1. “Where’s the Beef?” – Wendy’s (1984)
Image from Wikipedia
This absurd slogan was born in a Wendy’s commercial in which three older ladies examine a minuscule hamburger patty. Clara Peller’s straight-faced comment, “Where’s the beef?” went national and even into presidential politics. Wendy’s used subsequent slogans, but this one is memorable because of its cultural relevance.
2. “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing” – Alka-Seltzer (1972 revival of the ’80s)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
First seen in the ’70s but commonly broadcast in the ’80s, this slogan best described post-indulgence remorse. The commercial had a man griping those exact words as he had a stomachache. Alka-Seltzer subsequently shifted to more contemporary, health-oriented commercials.
3. “You Got the Right One, Baby – Uh Huh!” – Diet Pepsi (Late ’80s)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
With Ray Charles on piano and a chorus of “Uh-Huh Girls,” this jingle made Diet Pepsi hipper than ever before. It was catchy, upbeat, and inescapably of its time. The brand has long since abandoned its slogan, but it remains lodged in the brain like a tasty synth riff.
4. “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste” – UNCF (United Negro College Fund, 1972-1980s)
Image from UNCF
While this began in the ’70s, the slogan ruled the ’80s on public service announcements. It resonated so deeply emotionally and emphasized African American education funding. Throughout the years, the message changed, but this slogan will forever be remembered for that golden age of advocacy advertising.
5. “The San Francisco Treat” – Rice-A-Roni (1980s)
Image from Rice a Roni
Ding-ding! The sound of the trolley bell and the promise of “The San Francisco Treat” turned dinner into a mini-adventure. While the brand still exists, this slogan has been lost to a newer identity, leaving this one alone in the nostalgia section.
6. “Reach Out and Touch Someone” – AT&T (1980s)
Image from Wikipedia
This poignant campaign urged people to dial up loved ones. It was tear-jerking advertising at its finest, blending technology and humanity. In the texting and FaceTime age, it now feels almost quaint.
7. “Don’t Leave Home Without It” – American Express (1980s)
Image from American Express
Actor Karl Malden made this slogan famous in ads where he warned travelers of the perils of being stranded without an AmEx card. It referred to essentials. Although AmEx continues to employ the prestige card tactic, the term has been phased out.
8. “If It Doesn’t Get All Over the Place, It Doesn’t Belong in Your Face” – Carl’s Jr. (Late ’80s)
Image from PR Newswire
This greasy, meat-soaking slogan was irreverent and unapologetic. It made sloppiness when eating burgers hip. Carl’s Jr. later moved in other directions (and to sexier ads), but this was as ’80s grunge-meets-chow as you’d get.
9. “Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking” – Timex (1950s–1980s)
Image from Timex Philippines
This slogan lasted for decades but truly came into its own during the ’80s with live television extreme durability tests. From being strapped to a boat propeller to being buried in a block of ice, the Timex watch could not be broken. Now, the company has dropped the slogan, opting for newer performance buzzwords.
10. “This is Your Brain on Drugs” – Partnership for a Drug-Free America (1987)
Image from LinkedIn
With a sizzling egg in a frying pan, this anti-drug public service announcement pulled no punches. “This is your brain on drugs” was a nationwide wake-up call, especially to teenagers and parents. While the message lingers, the tried-and-true egg metaphor has been shelved for more recent campaigns.
11. “Let Mikey Try It—He Likes It!” – Life Cereal (1970s–1980s)
Image from Galleon.PH
Mikey, that finicky kid who wouldn’t eat anything, surprised everyone by adoring Life cereal. The phrase became a catch-all for surprise endorsement. While Life continues to sell, they stopped featuring Mikey’s finicky seal of approval a long time ago.
12. “We Bring Good Things to Life” – General Electric (1979–2003)
Image from Wikipedia
This cheerful, optimistic slogan combined GE products with comfort and innovation on a daily basis. It was a warm-and-fuzzy slogan meant to make a large corporation seem more human. GE ultimately dropped it in favor of more technology-oriented branding.
13. “Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz, Oh What a Relief It Is!” – Alka-Seltzer (revived anew in the ’80s)
Image from Phelan’s Pharmacy
Another Alka-Seltzer jingle was a success; this fizzy ditty explained the product’s fizzing action in a manner that made relief for the digestive tract sound like a party. It was one of the most immediately recognizable jingles of the era. Although Alka-Seltzer remains on the market, the catchy jingle has not been in the limelight for decades.
14. “Have It Your Way” – Burger King (1974–early 2000s)
Image from Wikipedia
Though born in the ’70s, the slogan was reimagined as an anthem of individual choice in the ’80s, the decade of individualism. It invited customers to personalize their burgers—radical in the era of fast food. Burger King then went through a series of new slogans before briefly reviving this one in the 2010s.