17 TV Commercials from the Past That Are Burned Into Your Brain
These 17 unforgettable TV commercials from the past still live rent-free in your brain, proving that great ads never die.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Some commercials don’t just sell a product—they latch onto your memory like an earworm you never asked for. From catchy jingles to bizarre mascots, these ads shaped pop culture and made sure you’d never forget them. Here are 17 TV commercials that, for better or worse, are permanently burned into your brain.
1. The Mentos Freshmaker (1990s)
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A guy messes up, pops a Mentos, and suddenly, life is amazing. Nothing says “problem solved,” like minty breath. This European-born ad campaign had absurdly optimistic plots, over-the-top acting, and an earworm jingle that still haunts us. Even if you have never eaten a single Mentos, you can probably hear the theme song in your head right now. That’s the power of an ad so ridiculous that it became legendary.
2. Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” (1971)
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A group of people on a hill, singing about world peace and soda—it was simple, wholesome, and strangely emotional. The song became a radio hit, proving that advertising and music can blend seamlessly. Coca-Cola didn’t just sell a drink; they sold a dream of unity, all wrapped in a catchy melody. Decades later, it even made a comeback in the final scene of Mad Men, cementing its place in pop culture history.
3. Budweiser’s “Whassup?” (1999)
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A bunch of dudes shouting “Whassup?” into their phones shouldn’t have been iconic—but somehow, it was. The ad was so absurdly simple that it became a cultural catchphrase overnight. People everywhere yelled it at each other for years, from middle school hallways to office break rooms. Budweiser didn’t just sell beer; they sold a moment in time that we all lived through.
4. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)
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A tiny old lady demanded to know where the beef was—comedy gold. This Wendy’s ad was so effective that the phrase became a real-life insult for anything lacking substance. It even found its way into politics when Walter Mondale used it against Gary Hart during a presidential debate. Not bad for a fast-food slogan that started as a joke about skimpy hamburger patties.
5. Apple’s “1984” (1984)
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Most commercials sell a product, but this one felt like a revolution. Directed by Ridley Scott, the ad was a cinematic masterpiece, portraying Apple as the hero smashing a dystopian future (aka IBM). Although it only aired once during the Super Bowl, it remains one of the most analyzed commercials ever. Apple didn’t just launch a computer; they launched a movement.
6. Tootsie Pop’s “How Many Licks?” (1970)
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A kid asks a wise old owl how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. Being the impatient con artist, the owl takes three licks and bites straight into it. Decades later, nobody has a definitive answer, but everyone remembers that smug little bird. A commercial that sparks debate for over 50 years? That’s genius.
7. McDonald’s “Mac Tonight” (1986)
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A guy with a giant moon head, playing the piano, singing a jazzy tune about Big Macs—why? No one knows, but it worked. The surreal, lounge-singer aesthetic gave McDonald’s an oddly cool vibe that stuck. Sadly, the character faded into nostalgia, but Moon Man lives on in the depths of internet meme culture.
8. Life Cereal’s “Mikey Likes It” (1972)
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Two kids bet that their picky little brother, Mikey, won’t eat Life Cereal—until he does, shocking everyone. The line “He likes it! Hey, Mikey!” became so famous that people still use it today for unexpected approvals. The real Mikey? He grew up and disappeared from the spotlight, but his legacy in advertising is forever. Life Cereal got its perfect ad: simple, relatable, and unforgettable.
9. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
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This ad was chaos in the best way—quick cuts, absurd humor, and a shirtless Isaiah Mustafa commanding attention. It was an instant hit, turning Old Spice from a “dad brand” into the definition of cool. The commercial spawned endless parodies and memes, proving that weird sells. Even now, if you hear, “Look at your man, now back to me,” you know exactly what’s coming next.
10. Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)
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Snickers turned hunger into comedy gold by casting celebrities as people suffering from snack-induced personality changes. Betty White getting tackled in a football game? Instant classic. The concept was so strong that it became a long-running campaign featuring everyone from Mr. Bean to Willem Dafoe, such as Marilyn Monroe. What is the moral of the story? Eat a bar of Snickers before you embarrass yourself.
11. Energizer Bunny (1989-Present)
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It just keeps going and going and going—exactly like the battery it promotes. What started as a simple parody of battery commercials became one of the most enduring mascots in advertising. The bunny outlasted competitors, pop culture references, and even the original joke itself. Now, it’s just part of life, like taxes and Wi-Fi passwords.
12. “Got Milk?” (1993)
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A guy loses a trivia contest because he has a mouthful of peanut butter and no milk—painful, yet hilarious. The campaign made dairy cool by showing the absurd consequences of not having milk at the right moment. It became a national slogan, appearing on billboards, celebrities, and even school cafeteria posters. An ad so powerful it made you feel FOMO over a glass of milk.
13. Folgers’ “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” (1984-Present)
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That jingle alone deserves a place in the Advertising Hall of Fame. It’s been running for decades, gently reminding groggy people everywhere that coffee is their only salvation. The campaign even leaned into heartwarming holiday reunions, making it the official coffee of sentimental mornings. If you don’t hear this song in your head right now, you’re lying.
14. “This Is Your Brain on Drugs” (1987)
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A guy cracks an egg into a frying pan and delivers the simplest anti-drug message ever: “This is your brain on drugs.” No fancy effects, no long speeches—just a visual metaphor that hit hard. The ad became so famous that even people who never saw it knew the phrase. It turns out that sometimes, all you need is an egg and a frying pan.
15. The California Raisins (1986)
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A group of claymation raisins singing “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is peak ‘80s weirdness. Originally created to promote dried fruits, the ad was so popular that it spawned albums, toys, and even a TV special. Who knew raisins could have a fan base? The ‘80s were truly built differently.
16. The Pepsi vs. Coke Taste Test (1975)
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Pepsi convinced the world to do a blind taste test, and the results had Coke sweating. The campaign was so effective it led to Coca-Cola’s infamous New Coke disaster. Even today, taste test challenges still reference the Pepsi Challenge. Proof that a simple experiment can shake up an entire industry.
17. Burger King’s “Subservient Chicken” (2004)
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A website where you could type commands and watch a guy in a chicken suit obey them? The internet had never seen anything like it. This viral marketing stunt made Burger King feel ahead of its time. Before social media, this was how weird, interactive advertising went viral.