20 Classic Commercials That Are Stuck in Your Head Forever
These classic commercials wormed their way into your brain and refused to leave, proving that jingles and catchy slogans are more powerful than we ever realized.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 7 min read
Some commercials don’t just sell a product—they live rent-free in your head for decades. From infectious jingles to unforgettable mascots, these ads became part of pop culture history. Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t deny their staying power.
1. “I’m Lovin’ It” – McDonald’s (2003)
elPadawan on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s knew exactly what they were doing when they dropped the “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle on the world. Simple, catchy, and annoyingly hard to forget, it became one of the most recognizable fast-food slogans ever. Even if you haven’t stepped inside a McDonald’s in years, you can probably still hear Justin Timberlake’s original version in your head.
2. “Got Milk?” – California Milk Processor Board (1993)
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This campaign didn’t just remind people to buy milk; it made them paranoid about running out. Its dramatic, often hilarious scenarios of people tragically missing out on cookies, cereal, or peanut butter sandwiches tapped into a universal fear. The slogan became a cultural catchphrase, appearing in countless parodies and knockoffs. Even today, “Got Milk?” remains one of history’s simplest yet most effective ad campaigns.
3. “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There” – State Farm (1971)
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Insurance ads are usually forgettable, but State Farm found a way to make theirs impossible to ignore. This jingle is so well-known that it basically turned into a magic spell in later commercials—summoning insurance agents out of thin air. If you hear those words, chances are you’ll automatically sing the rest in your head. It’s insurance marketing at its absolute finest.
4. “The Most Interesting Man in the World” – Dos Equis (2006)
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A bearded, sophisticated man delivering over-the-top life advice while sipping beer? Absolute gold. Dos Equis turned an ordinary beer ad into a meme-worthy cultural phenomenon, spawning countless spin-offs and parodies. “Stay thirsty, my friends” wasn’t just a tagline but an iconic sign-off. Even years after the campaign ended, people still quote it like a mantra.
5. “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” – Folgers (1984)
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Morning coffee is a necessity, and Folgers knew how to make it sound magical. Their jingle, “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup,” turned an everyday routine into a heartwarming ritual. It’s been remixed, parodied, and referenced in pop culture for decades. If you hear the first few notes, you’re probably finishing the song in your head right now.
6. “Gimme a Break” – Kit Kat (1986)
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A candy bar shouldn’t have a hit song, but Kit Kat somehow pulled it off. “Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar” is dangerously addictive to sing. The tune is so strong that you’ll suddenly crave one even if you don’t want chocolate.
7. “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful” – CoverGirl (2000s)
Andrew Yanovskiy on Wikimedia Commons
Makeup ads come and go, but CoverGirl’s slogan became a beauty industry staple. “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, CoverGirl” wasn’t just a tagline but a whole vibe, promising effortless glam. It was so catchy that even people who didn’t wear makeup could recite it. With celebrity spokesmodels and flawless delivery, it cemented itself as one of the most iconic beauty slogans of the 2000s.
8. “Can You Hear Me Now?” – Verizon (2002)
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Verizon ensured no one questioned their cell signal again with this simple, repetitive, and incredibly effective tagline. The bespectacled “Test Man” wandering around asking, “Can you hear me now?” became a cultural staple. It was so memorable that even years later, Sprint hired the same actor just to acknowledge its impact. That’s how you know a commercial truly got inside people’s heads.
9. “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” – Snickers (2010)
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Snickers turned hunger into an identity crisis with their legendary ad campaign. Featuring celebrities transforming into grumpy, irrational versions of themselves, the ads perfectly captured that “hangry” feeling. The message was clear: eat a Snickers and return to normal. It was so good that it became a go-to joke in real life.
10. “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” – Old Spice (2010)
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Old Spice didn’t just sell deodorant; they sold an absurd, hyper-masculine fantasy. Their fast-talking, towel-clad spokesman delivered ridiculous one-liners while shifting between increasingly bizarre scenarios. The surreal humor, combined with the catchy “Smell like a man, man” slogan, made it an instant classic. It’s rare for a commercial to feel like an event, but this one did.
11. “Think Different” – Apple (1997)
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Apple didn’t just sell computers—it sold rebellion. Its “Think Different” campaign honored visionaries like Einstein, Gandhi, and John Lennon, making its brand feel like a movement. The ad wasn’t flashy but hit deep, inspiring millions to associate Apple with creativity. Even if you’re not an Apple fan, this commercial probably gave you chills.
12. “Where’s the Beef?” – Wendy’s (1984)
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A tiny old lady demanding, “Where’s the beef?” somehow became one of the biggest advertising hits of the ’80s. The slogan mocked competitors’ puny burger patties and instantly became a cultural meme. It even made its way into politics when Walter Mondale used it against his opponent in a debate. Decades later, it still lives on in pop culture references.
13. “We Have the Meats” – Arby’s (2014)
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Arby’s went all-in on its carnivorous branding with this deep-voiced, no-nonsense slogan. Simple, bold, and to the point, it made sure you knew exactly what Arby’s was about. The dramatic delivery turned a basic food ad into something almost intimidating. If you weren’t thinking about meat before, you were after.
14. “Taste the Rainbow” – Skittles (1994)
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Skittles’ surreal “Taste the Rainbow” campaign turned candy into an experience. The ads were weird, colorful, and sometimes borderline disturbing, but they worked. The phrase became so iconic that people still use it outside of candy-related conversations. It’s proof that sometimes, being bizarre is the best marketing strategy.
15. “Mentos, The Freshmaker” – Mentos (1991)
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Mentos commercials felt like tiny soap operas, complete with dramatic problem-solving moments and cheesy music. The jingle and tagline, “Mentos, the Freshmaker,” made the brand feel oddly powerful. People still joke about how Mentos gave you superhuman confidence. If a candy ad is still a meme decades later, they did something right.
16. “Wassup?” – Budweiser (1999)
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What started as a simple beer commercial turned into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The way the characters exaggerated “Wassssuuuup?” to each other became an instant catchphrase. It was shouted in dorm rooms, copied in movies, and even parodied by celebrities. Few commercials can claim they changed how people greet each other, but this one did.
17. “Red Bull Gives You Wings” – Red Bull (1997)
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Red Bull didn’t just sell an energy drink; they sold the idea of superhuman abilities. Their simple, hand-drawn animated ads made sure you remembered that Red Bull “gives you wings.” It was catchy, slightly absurd, and surprisingly effective. To this day, people still joke about getting wings after chugging an energy drink.
18. “It’s Finger-Lickin’ Good” – KFC (1956)
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KFC managed to turn messy eating into a selling point with this legendary slogan. It’s been around for so long that it feels less like an ad and more like a universal truth. The phrase became so iconic that even when KFC temporarily paused it in 2020, people still used it anyway. That’s when you know your tagline is legendary.
19. “Have It Your Way” – Burger King (1974)
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Fast food is all about speed, but Burger King made customization its thing with “Have it your way.” This slogan told customers they didn’t have to settle for a pre-made burger—they could get exactly what they wanted. It was empowering, especially in an era when customization wasn’t the norm. Decades later, Burger King brought it back, proving that good marketing never really dies.
20. “Maybe She’s Born With It. Maybe It’s Maybelline.” – Maybelline (1991)
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This line became more than just a beauty slogan; it became a way to describe anything suspiciously perfect. The catchy melody and flawless delivery made it one of the most enduring cosmetic taglines ever. Even if you don’t use Maybelline, chances are you’ve said this phrase at some point. That’s the power of a perfect slogan.