20 Memorable Commercials That Everyone Over 45 Will Remember
If you’re over 45, these classic commercials are burned into your memory—jingles, mascots, and all.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Some commercials weren’t just ads—they were cultural moments. Whether it was a catchy jingle, a lovable mascot, or a tagline you still say today, these ads stuck with us. Let’s take a trip back in time and relive 20 of the most memorable commercials.
1. Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” (1971)
Breston Kenya on Pexels
Before viral marketing existed, this ad became a global sensation. A group of young people stood on a hill, singing about unity and sharing a Coke. It was wholesome, heartwarming, and instantly iconic. Decades later, it still gives people chills.
2. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today” (1970s)
Jill Evans on Pexels
McDonald’s knew how to make you feel like a trip to their restaurant was a well-earned treat. This jingle was catchy, uplifting, and stuck in your head whether you wanted it to or not. Even if you forgot the lyrics, you definitely remembered the tune. It was basically fast food happiness in song form.
3. Alka-Seltzer’s “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” (1976)
Henk Albert de Klerk on Wikimedia Commons
If you had heartburn, Alka-Seltzer had the cure—and a jingle you’d never forget. The “plop, plop, fizz, fizz” song made dropping those tablets in water weirdly satisfying. It made stomach relief look almost fun. Almost.
4. Life Cereal’s “Mikey Likes It” (1972)
wsilver on Pexels
This commercial was simple but brilliant. Two skeptical brothers tested out Life cereal on their little brother, Mikey, who “hates everything.” But surprise—Mikey liked it! The line became legendary, and let’s be honest, we all tried this trick on a sibling at some point.
5. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)
Ceir Junior on Pexels
A tiny, no-nonsense grandma demanding to know, “Where’s the beef?” became a cultural phenomenon. The ad was meant to poke fun at skimpy burgers, but it turned into a catchphrase everyone repeated. Even politicians used it. That’s how you know an ad really worked.
6. Toys R Us “I Don’t Want to Grow Up” (1982)
Jethro C. on Pexels
If you ever walked through those magical aisles as a kid, this jingle is tattooed on your brain. It captured the joy of childhood and the pure excitement of a toy store. No kid actually wanted to grow up after hearing it. And honestly, neither did most adults.
7. California Raisins “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1986)
Paweł Kuźniar on Wikimedia Commons
Claymation raisins singing a Motown classic? Sounds weird, but it worked. The commercial was so popular that the California Raisins got their own merchandise, TV specials, and even an album. Not bad for a bunch of dried fruit.
8. Folgers Coffee “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” (1984)
JA Folger Co. on Wikimedia Commons
You don’t even have to like coffee to know this song. It played in kitchens across America, showing families waking up to the smell of fresh-brewed Folgers. The song is still around, proving that a good jingle never really dies.
9. Meow Mix’s “Meow, Meow, Meow” (1974)
Daylen on Wikimedia Commons
A cat food commercial that’s just a cat singing “meow” over and over? Genius. It was simple, addictive, and impossible not to hum along with. Cats may have nine lives, but this ad will live forever.
10. Taster’s Choice “Soap Opera” Ads (1990s)
KOisTATUCYsi on Wikimedia Commons
These commercials were basically mini love stories about two neighbors who bonded over instant coffee. It was a slow-burn romance before that was a thing. People were actually invested in whether these two coffee drinkers would get together. Spoiler: they did.
11. Doublemint Gum “Double Your Pleasure” (1980s)
Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons
Two identical twins, two sticks of gum, one catchy song—it was a winning formula. This campaign ran for decades, featuring different sets of twins. It made chewing gum look way more glamorous than it actually was.
12. Oscar Mayer “My Bologna Has a First Name” (1973)
TheDoctorWho on Wikimedia Commons
A little kid spelling out “O-S-C-A-R” in the cutest voice imaginable? Advertising gold. Every kid tried to sing it at some point, even if they didn’t like bologna. Admit it—you still remember how to spell it because of this ad.
13. Nestlé Toll House “It’s More Than Cookies” (1980s)
Wiki.cullin on Wikimedia Commons
This ad was all about warm, gooey cookies straight from the oven. It made you feel like baking was an act of love. The smell, the taste, the nostalgia—it was everything a great commercial should be.
14. Crest “Look Ma, No Cavities!” (1950s–1970s)
Kindel Media on Pexels
Before kids dreaded trips to the dentist, Crest gave them a reason to brush. A little girl proudly declaring “Look, Ma, no cavities!” was all the convincing parents needed. It made toothpaste feel like a superhero against sugar.
15. The Pepsi Challenge (1975)
Martin Péchy on Pexels
Pepsi went straight for Coca-Cola’s throat with this one. They set up blind taste tests, and—surprise!—people supposedly preferred Pepsi. Whether or not you believed it, the campaign was unforgettable.
16. Big Mac “Two All-Beef Patties” (1974)
Arnaud 25 on Wikimedia Commons
This wasn’t just a commercial—it was a memory test. “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.” If you could say it fast, you were basically a legend. McDonald’s even gave away free burgers to people who could recite it correctly.
17. Charlie Tuna “Sorry, Charlie” (1960s–1990s)
Eric Guinther on Wikimedia Commons
Poor Charlie the Tuna—he just wanted to be good enough for StarKist. But time after time, he got rejected. “Sorry, Charlie” became a phrase people used in everyday life. At least he took it well.
18. Maxwell House “Good to the Last Drop” (1970s)
Maxwell House on Wikimedia Commons
This coffee slogan has been around forever, but it really stuck in the 70s. The commercials showed families happily sipping Maxwell House at breakfast. Whether or not it was actually the last drop, people kept drinking.
19. Clairol “Does She or Doesn’t She?” (1957–1970s)
Clairol Incorporated on Wikimedia Commons
A hair dye commercial so good, it actually changed society. Clairol’s ad suggested that their product was so natural-looking, no one could tell if you colored your hair. After this, dyeing your hair became completely normal. That’s marketing power.
20. Mentos “The Freshmaker” (1990s)
Dewet on Wikimedia Commons
These commercials were ridiculously cheesy but impossible to forget. A person would get into some wacky situation, pop a Mentos, and suddenly, everything was fine. It made Mentos seem way more powerful than they actually were.