5 Catchy jingles from 80s commercials that will take you back to your childhood

by

As a gamer who has seen more pixels than most people have birthdays, let me tell you, the good old days were a different kind of awesome! Back when I had to wait for TV Guide to tell me what was on and when, and commercials were as much a part of the show as the main attraction itself. Oh, the joy of hearing “So kiss a little longer…Give your breath long-lasting freshness with Big Red” or belting out “I’m a Toys R Us kid!”

In my day, watching TV was a completely different experience. Before VHS, DVDs, or streaming services, we were stuck in front of the television, enduring commercial breaks between scheduled programs. That’s right; we didn’t have the luxury to pick and choose what we watched. We had to consult the TV Guide to find out when our favorite shows would be on and on which channel they would air.

It isn’t necessary to pity us, as what might seem unfavorable to newer generations was not necessarily so for us, since we weren’t aware of any alternatives at the time. However, we had the privilege of witnessing the beginning of MTV.

With our TV-watching experience came some incredibly catchy jingles, of which I still know most of the words today. Check out some of the best commercial jingles that 80s children are sure to remember.

“A Little Longer” – Big Red Gum

A child of the ’80s likely recalls the catchy tune, “Savor a little more laughter, a little more love, a little more closeness…Keep your breath fresh for longer with Big Red.” This jingle was played by the William Wrigley Jr. Company from 1977 to 1989. Composed by Peter Cofield and sung by Ryan Devereaux, it has since been revamped in 2008 by Wrigley and singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, giving it a modern twist that remains quite pleasant.

“We Wear Short Shorts” – Nair

Nair, a hair removal product under Church & Dwight, is famously known for its catchy jingle “Short Shorts,” which was inspired by the 1958 song of the same name by The Royal Teens. This commercial made its first appearance in 1975 and received recognition with a CLIO award, an annual prize given for creative brilliance in advertising, design, and communication. By 1983, Nair had become the leading hair removal brand, and in 2015, it celebrated its 75th anniversary.

“Give Me A Break” – Kit Kat

Back in 1986, I stumbled upon a catchy tune that accompanied Nestlé’s Kit Kat chocolate-coated wafers. This jingle, crafted by Ken Shuldman and Michael A. Levine, went by the name “Give Me A Break.” It was used to promote the snack bar, which conveniently breaks into four bite-sized pieces, or as we call them, “fingers.” Researcher James J. Kellaris ranked this tune among the top ten earworms of all time. Since then, it’s been remade by artists like Shawn Colvin and Carrie Underwood, who’ve also appeared in Kit Kat commercials.

“I’m A Toys R Us Kid” – Toys R Us

It might come as a surprise that renowned author James Patterson collaborated on some of the lyrics for the beloved Toys R Us jingle with his friend Linda Kaplan Thaler. The memorable tune, urging kids to become a “Toys R Us kid,” is a tune from the 80s that children of that era would not easily forget.

“Two All-beef Patties – McDonald’s

The catchy tune for the Big Mac, first heard in the 70s and still popular through the 80s, encouraged people to sing about the sandwich’s components. This tune, created in 1967, listed the ingredients of the Big Mac as “two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions all on a sesame seed bun.”

If you’d like to revisit those delightful nostalgic ads from the ’80s, simply type “80s commercials” into YouTube’s search bar, and it will guide you on an enjoyable stroll through memory lane.

Read More

2024-08-05 20:01