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It’s that time of year again, the grand finale of the American football season, the SUPER BOWL, complete with all the hype that leads up to it, especially over the past two weeks. Even for the non-football fans, the commercials can be the main attraction along with the half time show, usually a music extravaganza. The focus here is strictly on those television commercials, the ones that the largest sponsors pay mega-bucks for, this year having hit around the five million dollar mark – and that’s per sixty second ad! This is the time of year sponsors pitch their best ad, knowing that this is the “holy grail” of TV viewership, millions and millions of viewers worldwide. Some are quite humorous, some are thought provoking, some are sentimental, some are bizarre, but most all of them are memorable for a long time afterwards, which is why they’re initially shown during this time to begin with. Love ’em or hate ’em, here they are in all their glory.
Here are the very best of the best…. year-by-year….. in reverse order
(2016) Super Bowl 50 – Hyundai Genesis “First Date”
(2016) Super Bowl 50 – Doritos “Ultrasound”
(2014) Super Bowl XLVIII – Doritos “Time Machine”
(2013) Super Bowl XLVII – Budweiser “The Clydesdales Brotherhood”
(2013) Super Bowl XLVII – Dodge Ram Trucks “Farmer”
(2013) Super Bowl XLVII – Doritos “Goat 4 Sale”
(2012) Super Bowl XLVI – Chrysler “Halftime In America”
(2011) Super Bowl XLV – Volkswagen “The Force”
(2011) Super Bowl XLV – Bridgestone “Reply All”
(2010) Super Bowl XLIV – Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry”
(2010) Super Bowl XLIV – Doritos “Slap”
(2010) Super Bowl XLIV – Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
(2009) Super Bowl XLIII – Pepsi Max “I’m Good”
(2008) Super Bowl XLII – Bridgestone “Scream”
(2006) Super Bowl XL – Fedex “Caveman”
(2006) Super Bowl XL – Bud Light “The Magic Fridge”
(2003) Super Bowl XXXVII – Reebok “Terry Tate, Office Linebacker”
(2003) Super Bowl XXXVII – FedEx “Castaway”
(2002) Super Bowl XXXVI – Budweiser “911 Tribute”
(2000) Super Bowl XXXIV – EDS “Cat Herders”
(2000) Super Bowl XXXIV – Budweiser “Whassup?”
(1999) Super Bowl XXXIII – Monster.com “When I Grow Up”
(1998) Super Bowl XXXII – Doritos 3D “Mad Skills”
(1998) Super Bowl XXXII – Tabasco “Mosquito”
(1996) Super Bowl XXX – Pepsi “Security Camera”
(1996) Super Bowl XXX – Budweiser “Clydesdales Football”
(1995) Super Bowl XXIX – Budwesier “Frogs”
(1993) Super Bowl XXVII – McDonald’s “The Showdown”
(1992) Super Bowl XXVI – Nike “Hare Jordan”
(1991) Super Bowl XXV – Diet Pepsi “You Got The Right One, Baby”
(1990) Super Bowl XXV – Coca Cola “Hilltop Reunion”
(1984) Super Bowl XVIII – Apple “Introducing Macintosh”
(1984) Super Bowl XVIII – Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?”
(1980) Super Bowl XIV – Coca-Cola “Hey Kid, Catch!”
Seems that lately there have been a plethora of lesser known or non-mainstream songs as well as artists being used in television advertising commercials that have a catchy hook or melody that I just can’t get out of my head. Some of these remind me of throw-back sounds reminiscent of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s while others have a very modern vibe that is very addictive. I find myself searching for info on Google as well as YouTube for the titles, artists and in some cases, lyrics.
So, with that being said, I present to you a few of my favorite memorable TV commercials featuring these addictive, catchy or simply irresistible songs in video format from YouTube. In a couple of cases, I also added lyric videos with audio from the original TV ad that others posted to YouTube who obviously had the same affection for them that I did. Hope you find these enjoyable and/or memorable as I did and please feel free to comment below. I also included a few of the classics from years gone by that you’re sure to remember if you’re old enough. To the younger viewers, discover some of the best and most popular advertisements in pop culture history.
I will more than likely be adding to this list as time goes on and new television ads with catchy lyrics or sounds pop up on the small screen. ENJOY 🙂
2013 Subaru “Take Your Daughter To Work Day” Commercial……….
“Future History” by Lightning
2012 Microsoft Windows 8 “Sign In With A Smile” Commercial…..
“Bright Whites” by Kishi Bashi
2012 Apple iPad Mini “Piano” Commercial…..
“Heart & Soul” by legendary composer Hoagy Carmichael (1938)
2012 Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 Commercial…..
“Too Close” by Alex Clare
2012 Bing ‘Discovering Hawaii’ Commercial…..
“Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
2012 Visit San Diego “Enjoying Fall Season” Tourism Commercial…..
“Happiness Is Calling Me” by Mophonics
2012 Yoplait “Umbrellas” Commercial…..
“I’m Thinking Sunshine” by Max & Simon
2012 Kraft Cheese Commercial……….
“Bright Idea” by Mother Mother
2011 JC Penny “Back-to-School” Commercial…..
“Oh, Imagine That” by Max & Simon
Here is the full song with lyrics
2011 Pepsi “Flashback” Commercial…..
“Tonight Is The Night” by Outasight
2011 Nissan Versa Sedan “Headroom” Commercial…..
“Don’t Stop (Color On the Walls)” by Foster the People
It seems that over the years, even some of the largest corporate advertising executives didn’t always do enough investigative research in their “homework” when it came to marketing American products in other parts of the world. Some of their marketing campaigns turned into embarrassing fiascos during translations from English into local native languages in other parts of the world. Checkout some of the more notorious as well as humorous examples below.
In China, the Coca-Cola name was initially read as “Kekoukela”, which meant “Bite the Wax Tadpole” or “Female Horse Stuffed with Wax”, depending upon the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent – “kokoukole”, which translates into “Happiness in the Mouth.”
General Motors had a notoriously famous fiasco when they tried to market the car model, Nova in Central and South America. Seems that “No va” in Spanish means, “It Doesn’t Go.”
The Dairy Association’s huge success with the campaign, “Got Milk?” prompted them to expand advertising to Mexico. It was soon brought to their attention that the Spanish translation read “Are You Lactating?”
When American Airlines wanted to advertise its new leather first class seats in the Mexican market, it translated its “Fly In Leather” campaign literally, which meant “Fly Naked” (vuela en cuero) in Spanish.
Remember the Pepsi advertising campaign back in the 60’s, “Come Alive, You’re in the Pepsi Generation”? Well, that didn’t go over too well when translated into Chinese. What it meant was, “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back From the Grave.”
Coors put its slogan, “Turn It Loose,” into Spanish, where it was translated as “Suffer From Diarrhea.”
Colgate introduced a toothpaste in France called Cue, which just happened to be the name of a notorious porno magazine.
When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the United States, with the smiling baby on the label. They later learned that companies in Africa routinely put pictures on the product label of what’s inside, since many people are illiterate and can’t read.
In Germany, Clairol introduced the “Mist Stick,” which was a curling iron, only to find out that “mist” is slang in German translation for manure. Not too many people had use for the “Manure Stick.”
Frank Perdue’s chicken slogan, “It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken,” was translated into Spanish as “it takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate.”
Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: “Nothing Sucks like an Electrolux”.
An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market that promoted the Pope’s visit. Instead of “I saw the Pope” (el Papa), the shirts read “I Saw the Potato” (la papa).
When the Parker Pen Company marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to have read, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” The company thought that the word “embarazar” (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad read: “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
Reminiscing over the past 50-60 years or so, it seems that commercials have always had ‘catchy’ slogans to make you remember their products the next time you go shopping or are in the market to buy a specific product. Sometimes these catchphrases go even beyond that. They can get stuck in your head like bubblegum on the bottom of your shoe. It strikes me as kind of funny that, as I was compiling this listing, I was actually amazed at how quickly I was able to recall many of these, even though some are 30-40 years old or more. Guess it’s safe to say they did their job quite effectively.
A peppy jingle or clever catch phrase can make or break an ad campaign. Occasionally, an advertising agency will create a slogan or tune that resonates so strongly with the public that it remains in play for years or even decades. Many of these TV commercials are prime examples of that.
Some of these on the list are relatively newer ones from the past 10 years or so, as others harken back to the early days of television. There were many regional commercials but I tried to focus on majority of the national ones that hit the airwaves.
How many of these will you remember?
How many of these will get stuck in your head all over again just like they did when they originally aired?
Sit back, reminisce and enjoy the trip back in time through addicting, catchy, sometimes annoying, sometimes campy, but almost always entertaining….. RETRO TV COMMERCIALS 😛
Fly the friendly skies of United (United Airlines)
Because even an airline hostess should look like a girl (Braniff Airlines)
Mr. Bubble gets you so clean your mother won’t know you (Mr. Bubble Bath Soap)
Cleans your breath while it cleans your teeth. (Colgate Dental Cream)
If you believe in peanut butter, you gotta believe in Peter Pan (Peter Pan Peanut Butter)
My wife….. I think I’ll keep her (Geritol Iron Supplement)
Help! ….. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! (LifeCall)+(LifeAlert)
Are those Bugle Boy Jeans that you’re wearing? (Bugle Boy Jeans)
This is your brain — This is your brain on drugs. (Partnership for a Drug-Free America PSA)
Ancient Chinese secret, huh? (Calgon Laundry Additive)
Sometimes you feel like a nut — sometimes you don’t. (Almond Joy & Mounds candy bars)
Gimme a break… Gimme a break…Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Bar (Kit Kat Candy Bar)
What would you do for a Klondike bar? (Klondike Ice Cream)
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands (M & M’s candies)
I don’t wanna grow up….. I’m a Toys R Us kid (Toys R Us toy store)
I’d like to teach the world to sing… in perfect harmony… I’d like to buy the world a coke and keep it company (Coca-Cola)
It’s the real thing (Coca-Cola)
It’s so easy, a caveman could do it (Geico)
Like a good neighbor…..State Farm is there (State Farm Insurance)
What’s in your wallet? (Capital One)
He likes it! ….. Hey Mikey! (Life cereal)
Think outside the bun (Taco Bell)
Hey, you sank my battleship (Battleship game)
They’re G-R-E-A-T! (said by Tony The Tiger) (Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes)
You’re soaking in it (said by Madge The Manicurist) (Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid)
Have it your way (Burger King)
Nothing comes between me and my Calvin’s (said by Brooke Shields) (Calvin Klein Jeans)
Good to the last drop (Maxwell House Coffee)
The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup! (Folgers Coffee)
It’s mountain grown — the richest kind of coffee (said by Mrs. Olson) (Folgers Coffee)
It’s fun to tickle your tongue with Fruit Stripe Gum (Fruit Stripe Gum)
It’s the right beer now (Coors Light)
You’ve got the right one baby (said by Ray Charles) (Pepsi-Cola)
All of my men wear English Leather… or they wear nothing at all! (English Leather Cologne)
Strong enough for a man….. but made for a woman (Secret Deodorant)
Have a Coke and a smile (Coca-Cola)
Coors…the silver bullet! (Coors Beer)
This is a good place for a Stick-Up (Airwick Stick-Up Air Fresheners)
Plop Plop….. Fizz Fizz….. Oh what a relief it is! (Alka Seltzer)
I’d walk a mile for a Camel (Camel Cigarettes)
Share the moment….. Share life (Kodak)
Doing what we do best (American Airlines)
Something special in the air (American Airlines)
“A” is for apple “J” is for jacks, Cinnamon crunchy Apple Jacks. Fun to eat an apply treat! Kellogg’s Apple Jacks (Apple Jacks cereal)
Oh, I’d love to be an Oscar Mayer Wiener….. That is what I’d truly like to be….. ‘Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener….. Everyone would be in love with me! (Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs)
My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R… My bologna has a second name it’s M-A-Y-E-R… Oh! I love to eat it every day… And if you ask me why, I’ll say… Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A. (Oscar Mayer Bologna)
“Hot dogs!.. Armor Hot dogs!.. What kind of kid likes Armor hot dogs?.. Big kids, little kids, kids who climb on rocks!.. Fat kids, skinny kids,.. even kids with chicken pox like hot dogs! Armor hot dogs!.. The dogs kids love to bite!” (Armor Hot Dogs)
Get A little closer! Don’t be shy’ (Arrid Extra Dry Deoderant)
Look how good you look now (Avon)
You deserve a break today… so get up and get away…to McDonald’s…We do it all for you! (McDonalds)
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun (McDonalds)
Fits your body like a hammer fits your hand. (Levi’s Jeans)
Let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat (Hertz Rent-A-Car)
If it says Libby’s, Libby’s, Libby’s on the label, label, label…You will like it, like it, like it….. on your table table table (Libby’s Canned Foods)
Kill the germs….. Feel the clean (Listerine Mouthwash)
Oh Fab…I’m glad…they put real Borax in you (Fab Laundry Detergent)
A Day Without Orange Juice is Like a Day Without Sunshine (Florida Citrus Commission)
Smart…..Very Smart (Magnavox TV)
Our repairmen are the loneliest guys in town (Maytag)
Great coffee taste without bitterness (Mellow Roast Coffee)
Bullish on America (Merrill Lynch)
Where do you want to go today? (Microsoft)
If you’ve got the time …..We’ve got the beer (Miller Beer)
Everything you always wanted in a beer…..and less (Miller Lite Beer)
Goodness you can taste (Minute Maid Orange Juice)
Do the Dew! (Mountain Dew)
Why don’t you pick me up and smoke me sometime? (Muriel Cigars)
Because I’m worth it! (L’Oreal)
Richness worth a second cup (Yuban Coffee)
Promise her anything, but give her Arpege (Arpege Perfume)
Ban won’t wear off as the day wears on (Ban Roll-On Deodorant)
Bayer works wonders (Bayer Aspirin)
Never let them see you sweat (Dry Idea Deodorant)
Everything’s better with Blue Bonnet on it (Blue Bonnet Margarine)
If it’s Borden, it’s got to be good (Borden)
Absorbs like magic (Bounty Paper Towels)
Thirst pockets for spill relief (Brawny Paper Towels)
Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick? (Buick)
Sometimes you’ve got to break the rules (Burger King)
Roll that beautiful bean footage (Bush’s Baked Beans)
Next to myself….. I like BVD best (BVD Underwear)
If it doesn’t get all over the place….. it doesn’t belong in your face (Carl’s Jr.)
Don’t bother me….. I’m eating (Carl’s Jr.)
Without us, some guys would starve (Carl’s Jr.)
The milk from contented cows (Carnation Milk)
If he kissed you once….. Will he kiss you again? (Certs Breath Mints)
It’s two…two…two mints in one! (Certs Breath Mints)
Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet (Chevrolet)
If you find a better car….. Buy it! (said by Lee Iacocca) (Chrysler)
If I have but one life to live….. let me live it as a blonde! (Clairol Shampoo)
Hair color so natural….. Only her hairdresser knows for sure (Clairol Shampoo)
Things go better with Coca-Cola…..Things go better with Coke (Coca-Cola)
It’s the real thing (Coca-Cola)
Have a Coke and a smile (Coca-Cola)
Coke is it! (Coca-Cola)
Can’t beat the feeling (Coca-Cola)
Just for the taste of it, Diet Coke (Diet Coke)
I go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! (Cocoa Puffs Cereal)
Sometimes you’ve got to break the rules – Burger King)
Something good always comes of it (Bisquick)
The proud bird with the golden tail (Continental Airlines)
Delta is ready when you are (Delta Airlines)
Brewed with Pure Rocky Mountain Spring Water (Coors Beer)
Taste the high country….. Taste Coors (Coors Beer)
Don’t be a Paleface!” (Coppertone Tanning Lotion)
Tan – Don’t Burn! (Coppertone Tanning Lotion)
Candy-Coated Popcorn, Peanuts, and a Prize…..That’s what you get in Cracker Jack (Cracker Jack)
Cleans your teeth while it cleans your breath (Dentyne Gum)
Aren’t you glad you use Dial …..Don’t you wish everybody did? (Dial Soap)
I drink Dr Pepper and I’m Proud….. I’m Part of an Original Crowd… (Dr. Pepper)
Freshness never tasted so good (Hostess snack cakes)
We will sell no wine – before its time (said by Orson Welles) (Paul Masson Wines)
The most original soft drink ever in the whole wide world (Dr. Pepper)
It’s the cheesiest! (Kraft Macaroni & Cheese)
Finger lickin’ good (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Kid tested…..Mother approved (Kix cereal)
Share moments…..Share life (Kodak)
When banks compete…..You win (Lending Tree)
Celebrate the moments of your life (General Foods)
Here’s to good friends, Tonight is kind of special. The beer we’ll pour, must say something more, somehow….. So tonight (tonight), Tonight, Let it be Löwenbräu (Lowenbrau Beer)
When the hungries hit…..hit the Red Barn (Red Barn)
Eat Fresh (Subway)
It’s a good time for the great taste of McDonalds (McDonalds)
I’m lovin’ it (McDonalds)
Did somebody say McDonalds? (McDonalds)
Do what tastes right (Wendys)
We do chicken right (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Roll out the Burgie (Burgermeister Beer)
It’s not just a job…..It’s an Adventure (US Navy)
The few…..the proud…..The Marines (US Marine Corp)
Like a rock! (Chevrolet)
It’s the water! (Olympia Beer)
Crave the wave (Ocean Spray)
Come Alive!…..You’re in the Pepsi generation! (Pepsi-Cola)
You’ve got a lot to live…..Pepsi’s got a lot to give (Pepsi-Cola)
The choice of a new generation (Pepsi-Cola)
The closer you get…..The better you look (Nice ‘N Easy Shampoo)
Gentlemen prefer Hanes (Hanes Underwear)
Bring out the Best Foods and bring out the best! (Best Foods Real Mayonnaise)
Yes Yes YES!!! (Herbal Essence Shampoo)
The great American chocolate bar (Hershey’s Chocolate)
Fresh and clean as a whistle (Irish Spring Soap)
Anything less would be uncivilized (Right Guard Deodorant)
The other guys! (Goodrich Tires)
We’re looking for a few good men (US Marine Corp)
The toughest job you’ll ever love (US Peace Corp)
RAID kills bugs dead! (Raid)
It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken (Purdue Chicken)
If it’s Ore-Ida…..It’s all-righta! (Ore-Ida Potatoes)
Only fit for a king (Nine Lives Cat Food)
What can brown do for you? (UPS)
Watch out Federal!…..Here comes Airborne! (Airborne Express)
Take life a little easier (sung by Rodney Allen Rippey) (Jack In The Box)
You get a big delight in every bite (Hostess Snack Cakes)
Choosy mothers choose Jiff (Jiff Peanut Butter)
Who wears short shorts? (Nair Hair Removal Cream)
I’m gonna wash that gray right outta my hair
That frosty mug taste (A&W Root Beer)
You asked for it…..You got it!…..Toyota! (Toyota)
Get your hands on a Toyota and you’ll never let go (Toyota)
Double A [A-A] [honk! honk!] M-C-O (AAMCO Transmissions)
Take a bite outta crime! (said by McGruff the dog) (National Crime Prevention Council)
Kibbles and Bits!…..Kibbles and Bits!…. I’m gonna get me some Kibbles and Bits! (Kibbles & Bits Dog Food)
They don’t say Hanes until I say they say Hanes! (said by Inspector 12) (Hanes Underwear)
How ’bout a nice Hawaiian Punch?…..Sure! (Hawaiian Punch)
My dog’s healthy and it shows….. cause he’s got the Hi-Pro glow! (Hi Pro Dog Food)
Mascots used in advertising over the years are the backbone of nearly all successful “image conscious” companies in the United States as well as worldwide. Mascots and icons conjure up all sorts of nostalgic images from childhood through present day. Many of the well remembered ones stood out in our minds as either funny, heartwarming, stupid, absurd or provocative. They also had another important element ….. having an identifiable character, a catchy jingle, or a cool well thought catchphrase.
Some of the best-loved ads of the 20th century have names like Charlie, Tony, Ronald, Betty and Mr. Peanut. Others, like Joe Camel, the Marlboro Man and the Kool Penguin, may not have been as beloved, but grew to have immense worldwide impact and could instantly be identified with their respective product. Even Fred and Barney were used for advertising Winston Cigarettes at one time ….. before all the negative implications of how hazardous smoking was on our lungs and how impressionable they were on youngsters.
From frozen vegetables to packaged cake mix, from fast food to automobile tires, these well thought out, carefully drawn characters are the personifications of businesses that began small but grew to become dominant brands within their respective fields ….. thanks in large part to their famous icons.
This list below represents the majority of the most remembered, as well as successful, print and billboard ads, television commercials, product endoresements, mascots, icons and logos of all time. These have all made a powerful dent in our subconscious and made a powerful and longlasting impact in the marketplace. From the thousands of mascots and ads, these were the ones that stood out the most. The criteria used here is based upon overall effectiveness, longevity, recognizability and cultural impact.
Enjoy your trip down memory lane. Be watching for a forthcoming post featuring product catchphrases. I will have a link when the post is created.
UPDATED: 2 links have been recently added that relate to this post – You can check them out at the bottom of this posting.
PLEASE NOTE: If you enjoyed this post of Most Popular Advertising Mascots … youmay want to check out two other posts in this blog. One has over 300 of the more popular Catchphrases Expressions & Slogans of the 50’s – 60’s – 70’s -80’s – 90’s. A number of sayings and catchphrases that caught on from these advertisements will also be reflected in this post. The newest post contains TV’s Greatest Commercial Ads of Slogans, Jingles, Taglines & Catchphrases.
Simply click on the links below to continue your nostalgic journey down memory lane. 🙂