Catchy little tunes and phrases have long been a powerful tool in advertising to promote products, political candidates, public service messages, and much more. Let’s go back in time and recall some of the oldies but goodies.
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We’ve compiled ten of these slogans and jingles into an interactive quiz. Take the quiz and see how well you know your jingles and slogans! Then come back and read the full story for more oldie-jingle awesomeness.
Product jingles
The first jingle that comes to mind from when I was growing up was General Motors’ Chevrolet jingle, “See the USA in your Chevrolet” Dinah Shore sang this tune during her TV show throughout the 1950s, and it became her signature song.
“You’ll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent” This jingle was written to promote the brand’s claims that it could combat tooth decay.
“Winston tastes good like a cigarette should” This jingle created one of the most well-known tobacco advertising slogans in advertising history.
“Brylcreem, a little dab’ll do ya” This hair styling product jingle was developed for the company’s first television ad.
“Everyone knows it’s slinky” Baby boomers will certainly remember this song and the accompanying TV commercial showing the toy climbing down stairs.
“Oh, I’d love to be an Oscar Mayer Wiener” This jingle was created in the mid-1960s and was sung by children nationwide.
“In the valley of the jolly–ho-ho-ho!–Green Giant” This early 1960s General Mills jingle used to advertise frozen and canned vegetables inspired a song titled “The Jolly Green Giant,” by the Kingsmen. The opening line is, “In the valley of the jolly–ho-ho-ho!–Green Giant.”
“Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat” This 1961 jingle was featured in a TV commercial that opened with a scenic view of San Francisco and a trolley car.
“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is” This early 1960s Alka Seltzer jingle became “unforgettable.”
“Double your pleasure, double your fun” This 1959 jingle for Doublemint chewing gum was created by Chicago-based advertising agency, Energy BBDO. The original TV ad featured the legendary “Doublemint Twins” singing this snappy tune.
Political campaign jingles
“I Like Ike” was a jingle used by the 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The iconic jingle was part of an animated TV commercial complete with Uncle Sam, bass drum-playing elephants, and babes in strollers.
E-D-M-O-N-D-S-O-N spells Edmondson. “He’s the man we need for our governor…” This catchy little tune, rewritten from a Tulsa Press Club Gridiron show, was partially responsible for Tulsa County Attorney J. Howard Edmondson winning the the1958 race for Governor.
Another Oklahoma campaign slogan that comes to mind is the 1970 Oklahoma Gubernatorial campaign jingle for Governor David Hall. David Hall, Oklahoma, He’s for all Oklahoma, He’s what it takes to make our country strong; David Hall, Oklahoma, He’s for all Oklahoma, What Oklahoma needs is David Haaallllll……
“Buckle Down With Nixon” was jingle using a cheesy seatbelt metaphor, featuring a mind-numbing accordion performance used by the Nixon campaign in 1960.
Product slogans
“Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.” This memorable slogan was developed to advertise M&Ms.
“It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” This slogan was used by the Timex Watch Corporation to convince customers their product was durable. The company’s TV ads featured former NBC news anchor John Cameron Swayzee putting Timex watches through various torture tests, and after the test, reiterating the famous slogan.
“Nothin’ says lovin’ like somethin’ from the Oven” This 1950s Pillsbury slogan promoted a variety of baking products, such as scale mixes.
“Have you had your soup today?” This slogan, which was developed in the 1950s, made Campbell Soup a household name.
“Good to the last drop” This 1950s Maxwell House Coffee slogan was used for years and garnered the company significant market share.
“The quality goes in before the name goes on” was used for decades to advertise Zenith televisions.
“The most expensive television set in America, and darn well worth it” was a slogan employed by the Curtis Mathes Television company to tout their “American” product.
Political campaign slogans
Lyndon B. Johnson used the slogan “All the way with LBJ” in his 1964 campaign. LBJ’s opponent, Barry Goldwater, utilized “In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right.“
“This time, vote like your whole world depended on it” was used in the 1968 Nixon campaign.
“Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago?” was a 1980 Ronald Reagan campaign slogan.
Public service slogans
“Only you can prevent forest fires” This classic PSA featuring Smokey the Bear taught generations of children outdoor fire safety.
“Don’t lay that trash on Oklahoma” This anti-littering PSA was developed in the 1980s.
“Why do you think they call it dope?” This was an anti-drug slogan used during the Nixon era.
The preceding examples are but a smattering of the plethora of advertising phrases and songs that became indelible in the minds of millions. Hopefully, they will evoke memories of other long-forgotten messages.
