Unforgettable jingles and ads from childhood

Popular commercials and ads ranked
By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor

No, these products and services may not have won me over, but they definitely caught my attention—for years. Which one is the best, and which is the most reluctantly liked? Let’s see.

#10

Marineland

The song is fun and great and catchy—sure—but we can’t just ignore the implications of Marineland being exposed for poor conditions for animals. There’s magic up on the mountain high… and secrets hidden below the water, apparently.

Sorry not sorry, Marineland!

#9

Prevent-It.ca

I’d really rather I didn’t remember this one, but the ending scene is burned into my mind (no pun intended). It feels too real and close, but of course that’s a positive for the message which is intended. Then again, it’s more nightmare fuel than a helpful reminder to be safe.

#8

Speedy Glass

I thought this jingle was more of a bop than it is. It’s also really short. Loving the rhythm guitar, but let’s be real, it deserves a drum break.

#7

itravel2000.com

“Call 1-866-WOW-DEAL!” Oh yeah, that one’s staying with me. Then again, I did confuse “866” for “886” and didn’t remember it being a travel jingle so looks like there’s a pretty big flaw.

#6

Sprott Shaw Community College

“She doesn’t even go here!” I hear as I sing the jingle driving by.

It’s fun and happy and makes me wish Douglas College had a jingle. Here, I’ll make one right now: “Douglas College… who cares when it was made! Have fun tripping on the stairs!”

#5

Yop Me Mama

The song is great and funky. Unsure of how the drink tastes, but I am lactose intolerant so I won’t be the one to tell you. The video is a little alarming with all the CGI mouth movements, but that’s likely one of the reasons to why it’s unforgettable. Something just feels a little too off for such a happy song.

#4

DrugsNot4Me

The meaning of this ad isn’t light whatsoever. You’re taken through the journey of this teenage girl falling into addiction. It’s not pretty, but it is reality for a lot of people. The song is the most terrifying aspect, being a play on “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” by Barney, with lyrics changed to narrate the downward slope of what’s being shown on screen. Many comments on the YouTube video describe the ad as having scarred them while also having scared them into never touching drugs.

#3

Alarm Force

Now that’s what I’m talking about! Heavy music, heavy vocals; it just makes you want to scream. I’m suddenly so excited about home security!

#2

House Hippo

The house hippo will always haunt me in a positive way. I’ve always wished they were real, and ironically, as a kid I thought they were. I didn’t hear the woman at the end say they aren’t real… selective hearing as a four-year-old I suppose. This isn’t number one because it still makes me sad that they do not exist.

#1

Sleep Country

Why buy a mattress anywhere else?

A bunch of Canadians are packed in a car and this jingle comes on—who isn’t singing the “ding?” Trick question: everyone is singing the “ding.” Now, for who actually owns a mattress from Sleep Country, that one might be a little harder to answer!