When I was growing up, every product had a jingle. A catchy, little ditty that stuck in your head long after you wanted it to. But, nowadays, hardly any products use jingles. Companies just buy the rights to a popular song and use that. Charlie Sheen's character on Two and a Half Men was a jingle writer, but he had to move to children's music when the jingle game tried up. What ever happened to jingle writing? Am I the only one who liked jingles?
The thing is, regardless if you like jingles or not--they work! I know the toll-free number to the United States Postal Service by heart thanks to a jingle. I always remember where to exit the Long Beach Freeway to find Pete Ellis Dodge, due to a jingle. I know the world would be a better place if I'd buy the world a Coke, because a jingle told me so. I'm empowered by the fact that nothing will ever get to me as long as I have a Mentos to save the day! And, I know Tab is for beautiful people:
It's a basic fact that people remember things more easily when they're set to music. So what if the newest sports car commercial has a great Rolling Stones song in it. Will I be able to sing about the features of the new car and its gas mileage? If not, why in the world would a company use it?
Does anyone else miss jingles or have a favorite one that brings back memories? Or, am I starting to sound like somebody's great-grandma reminiscing about the olden days? Could it be, sadly, that am I the only one who remembers my bologna has a first name?
OH HELL NO GUUURL! U R NOT sounding like someone's Grandma..unless we are doing it together.Two of the more memorable jingles that I remember are* Optimum Triple Play - http://youtu.be/jEjAKtHhTGg* W.B. Mason (Office Supplies) - http://youtu.be/9xBJxtlwalE* Fanta - (Sorry couldn't find the video)I LOVE these commercials and what is really funny about the W.B. Mason is that I caught it JUST ONCE about 3 years ago in the early morning haze of awakening to go to work...and it stuck with me forever and I wish they would play it some more.As for older jingles that I remember...* Chock Full o' Nuts - I KNOW that it's the heavenly coffee* Honda - They made it simple* Good n Plenty - http://youtu.be/ExSlyoVTX3I* Tootsie Roll - Cause the world looks mighty good to me - http://youtu.be/qayjR8Qbyfc* Mount Airy Lodge - in PA...jingle helped me to remember the phone number to this day....we are talking like 25 years since that ad appeared and I was a kid.* The Neville - also in PA.Yeah I know the last 2 are pretty obscure...but not to a Northeasterner such as myself...lol.Then there are 3 commercials that I would like to mention...not because of their jingles..but the lack of a jingle...yet still memorable.Big Mac - When I went for my first job at McDonalds, I was able to pass the test on how to make the Big Mac because of the commercial - 2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, on a sesame bun...whoowaa!Travelers Insurance - the one with the dog worrying about his bone...I am clearly partial to commercials with animals...I acknowledge I have a "problem"...lol - http://youtu.be/5G7bGBUlx2MOne last commercial that I would like to mention..which also doesn't have a jingle but that I LOVE LOVE LOVE is for Jeep - http://youtu.be/cMZ01OBBP_UWhy? Because Jeep is my favorite car and I LOVE animals : )Okay Amber....you have clearly and thoroughly engaged me...I am pooped from all the singing I am doing over here...LOLOh...and BTW...my bologna has a first name too...and thanks to that same commercial..while I never actually ate bologna....I knew how to spell it...LOLThanks as usual...GREAT BLOG!!! I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Jingle sing-a-long, baby! Do I know how to throw a party or what??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThose are great! Thanks for sharing them, Rachel!
That Optimum Triple Play one is terribly catchy. The kind that sticks in your head and drives you mad! I hadn't heard the other jingles, with the exception of the Tootsie Role one. The commercial isn't familiar, but the song is!
As for the non jingle ones, that Jeep one is great! I remember liking that when it came out, but had forgotten about it. And the Travelers Insurance one I never saw. So cute! Poor stressed out doggie ;-(
Amazing how those songs stick with us, huh? I think everyone in America knew what was on a Big Mac with that song. Now, that's good marketing in my opinion!
Thanks so much for chiming in and sharing your favorites, Rachel. I enjoyed watching them ;-)
#RachelRocks
Amber of course you aren't the only one as I remember Worthington Ford's location in Long Beach because of the jingle used when it first opened. I know the location of LJ Snow Ford is in the heart of Colton. Also I know that I am a pepper and you can be one too by drinking Dr Pepper. I have always loved catchy jingles and miss them. No more "plop, plop. fizz, fizz" anymore, just like "where the rubber meets the road". Your bologna may have a first name, but mine also has a second name.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that jingles are no longer being used. They helped to make commercials memorable to larger masses than commercials of today. How many commercials that were shown during the Super Bowl can you remember? I'll bet people can remember jingle from 40 years ago better than they can remember what company had those laptops flying around which is only from a few months ago.
Oh yes! Plop, plop, fizz, fizz! That's one for the pop culture history books ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Tim! I can remember things from when I was a kid, but I don't even remember what I saw today! Jingles just made products so much for memorable. As a company, who wouldn't want consumers to have that kind of product recognition? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Yet, jingles are a dying breed. ;-(
Waitaminute -- polyester leisure suits are dead?!? Thank goodness for my powder blue tux with the cool ruffled shirt, or I'd have nothin' left to wear when I need to dress up all fancy.
ReplyDeleteWords Done Write: Preventing Sartorial Abominations, One Misguided Marketer at a Time ... :-)
Thank goodness for the powder blue tux! I'm sure you look HOT in it, my friend! :-)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the Armour song! That's an oldie, but a goodie. Funny how they stay with us, isn't it?
Oh, and thanks for the new tagline! I like it!
Now my kids are singing Long Beach Freeway, Firestone Exit, Southgate... ;) Damn jingle is stuck in my head.
ReplyDeleteOne of my earliest memories is the Winston jingle ("Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should"). I don't really miss them because they haven't completely gone away. Granted they're not as prevalent as they used to be. But some are still inescapable. Now, every time we drive past a "1-800-Get-Slim" billboard (as you should know, there are a LOT of them in L.A.), my son breaks into song: "Let your new life begin..." Now I need to listen to something else to get that earworm out of my head!
ReplyDeleteThat's the one, baby! Pete Ellis Dodge, Long Beach Freeway, Firestone Exit, Southgate! I wish I could insert music notes here ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd it's stuck in your head! What company wouldn't want that? That's why I don't understand the demise of jingles. They are powerful!
Gosh, I don't think I ever heard a cigarette jingle. I did see "Thank You for Not Smoking" though ;-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think jingles do some have some life when it comes to regional spots. Low budget, small businesses do still seem to do them on occasion.
That's so funny that your kid is singing a weight loss jingle! And now YOU are! Jingles work, baby! There's no denying it. You couldn't forget the number to that diet center if you tried (and, yes, I know the one you're talking about---it's in MY head now!). D'oh!
So I was walking the pack this morning and of all the jingles to suddenly pop into my head.....maybe "now's the time"....Geritol...LOL... http://youtu.be/6iu8Ln48FS8
ReplyDeleteI miss jingles! You're right - jingles make you remember things. Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. And I'm a vegetarian.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Oh, Rachel. Dear, dear Rachel...
ReplyDelete(That IS a catchy jingle, isn't it???? Kinda makes me want to buy it.)
Yeah, companies know how to work those meat jingles, huh? Oscar Mayer, Armour Hot Dogs, burgers. I'm a vegetarian, as well, and that "Love that Chicken from Popeye's" has been in my head more than once, much to my dismay.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, lovely lassie!
How about the Oscar Mayer jingle? Oh I wish I were an …
ReplyDeleteI guess it's easier to use someone's song rather than try to be creative and think of something clever yourself.
… that is what I'd really like to be!
I LOVE jingles! And the quirkier the better -- "Make you day a little bit brighter, eat a little pickled herring by Vita." I, for one, hope that jingles make a comeback. Coach from the TV show "Cheers" reminds us that jingles can help us to learn about ANYTHING: http://bit.ly/8CGD3k
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, Donna!
ReplyDeleteYep, that jingle is definitely a part of many of our childhoods, isn't it? Probably the high point of that little boy's acting career, too!
That is too funny! I actually wanted to reference that scene from Cheers in my post, but I didn't. I have NEVER forgot that song since that episode aired.
ReplyDeleteAlbania! Albania! It borders on the Adriatic!
As for the pickled herring jingle, I haven't had the pleasure of hearing that one. :-)
Thanks for chiming in and adding to our little trip down memory lane!
That is too funny! I was actually going to reference that song in my post, but didn't. I've remembered that ditty since that episode aired.
ReplyDeleteAlbania! Albania! You border on the Adriatic!
As for the pickled herring jingle, I haven't had the pleasure of hearing that one ;-)
Thanks for chiming in and adding to our little trip down memory lane!
I am stuck on Band-Aid brand cuz Band-Aid's stuck on me.
ReplyDeleteor
Get a bucket of chicken....(old KFC jingle)
Both written by Barry Manilow. He use to do a section in each of his concerts devoted to jingles he wrote when he was a jingler waiting to become a superstar.
Oh yes! Band-Aid! That's a great jingle. Love that one. Good times. Good times ;-)
ReplyDeleteBarry Manilow wrote jingles????? I didn't know that! You're just full of great information, Cheri! I love good trivia like that.
A jingle that I will always remember is from the Smash adverts from the UK.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/3SAbJjktk7E
The music associated with this advert is memorable to me, I don't know if its original, probably not. But I now associate that with the place I call my 2nd home.
http://youtu.be/vvOaVbbxGUk
On the whole I generally press the mute button when it comes to adverts. When I was growing up it was a chance to go to the loo or make a cup of tea but they are so frequent on North American TV they are beyond annoying (I was bought up in a non-commercial environment - thanks goodness for the wonderful BBC!).
Crazy humans! Thanks for sharing that commercial, Steven ;-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think lots of people tune out when commercials come on. But, a good one will make me stick around. I loved that Kia one with the sock monkey and his crew: http://www.youtube.com/wordsdonewrite#p/c/429E6D3FF832EF31/10/OuSfLoXq22w. No jingle, but I thought it was so fun.
Thanks for chiming in with an international view, Stephen!
You have shared really informative and interesting post i will like to say thanks and also request you to keep post that kind of stuff in your more posts.
ReplyDeleteRadio Ads
Hi! Guys!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the process of starting up a Cake business it's called 'Queen's Cakes and School of Creative Art' We specialize in customized cakes and French pastries and we also conduct courses in Cake Decoration at different levels. Was wondering if we could all work together and get a jingle organized. It has to be short, catchy and serve the purpose. Can someone, anyone, everyone help me please?
Thanks.
Cheryl
Keep your eyes on your fries, they're hard to resist. Keep your eyes on your fries or they'll disappear like this. At McDonald's, we do it all for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's Cal Worthington and his dog Spot. If you ever need a car go see Cal....
ReplyDeleteYep, that one's a classic!
ReplyDelete