2021s Most Effective And Well Known Jingles

Posted On: Nov 30, 2021    Written by: Abe Udy

Jingles Play A Crucial Role In Audio Branding

“Oh what a feeling, Toyota”.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there’s no doubt you’ve heard the iconic Toyota jingle.
Jingles have helped to cement brands large and small into our minds for a lifetime.

Due to the profound effect and power that a jingle (and audio branding) has, an audio logo is just as important as a visual one. 

That's why jingles have been essential in the most successful Australian marketing campaigns for decades.

Below are 10 of Australia's most effective, well-known jingles in 2021.

(2023 UPDATE: We’ve added three iconic, catchy jingles from this year, including an unexpected remake of ‘Everybody Dance Now’ from Coles.)

Let’s go!

#1 BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE JINGLE

Let’s kick this list off with Bunnings Warehouse.

If you’re like us, you’ll find it hard to say Bunnings Warehouse without adding "lowest prices are just the beginning".

This iconic Aussie jingle was written by Perth local Trevor Hilton over 25 years ago.
Did you know he was asked to base the sound on a song by Jamaican musician Shaggy?

Listen to this iconic Aussie track right HERE.

#2 TOYOTA AUDIO LOGO

“Oh what a feeling, Toyota”.

This jingle (also known as an audio logo - because it's so short) is one of the most memorable and effective Australian audio brands.

In 1983, the team at Toyota were looking to boost their brand and connection to consumers.
This led to a brand new slogan; “Oh what a feeling, Toyota.” If only the marketers knew the effect these five words would have for decades!

The jingle was then accompanied in television ads by a satisfied Toyota customer leaping into the air. The overall aim was to change the perspective of cars and look at them from the consumer's point of view.

Since 1983, Toyota has become the sixth-largest company in the world based on revenue alone.

See a vintage Toyota ad HERE.
See a current ad HERE.

#3 SCHMACKOS JINGLE

Whether you have a dog or not, you’ve probably hummed to Schmacko's iconic “Dogs Go Wacko For Schmackos” jingle. This famous slogan no doubt played a role in making Schmackos Australia’s number one dog treat.

The jingle is showcased in ads with CGI versions of claymation figures of Dorothy (dog owner) and her pet Jack Russell, Roger.

These fun-loving ads and catchy jingles send the message that feeding your four-legged friend a Schmackos will keep you and your pet happy.

#4 MYER AUDIO LOGO

You know it, and we know it, “Myer is My Store”.
This famous Aussie jingle was recently reintroduced into advertising material in 2018 as a simple, subtle audio logo.

Besides being incredibly catchy, the jingle also pays homage to Myer’s heritage and the various services it provides to many Australians.

Thanks to this sonic trigger, Myer is edged into the minds of millions of Australians, from beauty and clothing to homewares and technology.

#5 MENULOG JINGLE

If you’ve ever used a mobile device or watched TV, you would’ve likely heard the new, incredibly catchy Menulog spot.

In 2020, the company launched a successful advertising campaign featuring rapper Snoop Dogg singing a catchy jingle.
From 'tacos to the château' and 'chicken wings to the crib', you’ll find yourself singing along to this in no time.

With his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, Snoop Dogg dropped some killer lines in this jingle.

However, following the success of the jingle, Menulog ditched the Dogg and created new ads featuring local Aussie musicians singing their rendition of the ‘Did Somebody Say’ jingle.
View the current ads HERE.

#6 BANANA BOAT BRAND MUSIC

It's an oldie but a goodie that is still discussed in 2021. Banana Boat Australia is the leading brand of sunscreen in Australia. Part of their success is thanks to their iconic advertising campaigns.

One of their most effective campaigns featured a baby at the beach singing a parody of “Mah Nà Mah Nà” by Italian composer Piero Umiliani. Instead of the song itself, the baby sings about the benefits of Banana Boat sunscreen; “Banana Boat. Fun sun protection. Banana Boat.”

This tune became so popular that it broke into pop culture and featured in The Muppets and The Benny Hill Show episodes!

Listen to the jingle HERE.

#7 ROOF SEAL JINGLE

This list is complete with one of the top catchiest jingles ever created. Roof Restoration company Roof Seals’s ads feature a CGI seal dressed as a worker and speaking directly into the camera.

Whilst this part of their ads is intriguing enough, the phone number part is the most memorable. “1300 36 70 70. Roof roof!”

Now, you would be lying if you didn't sing along to that.

#8 FRANK WALKER FROM NATIONAL TILES (NOT A JINGLE)

“Hellooo...Frank Walker from National Tiles”.

It's not a jingle in the true sense, but this commercial would have to be one of the most unforgettable audio ads in Australian history.

As soon as you hear the opening “hellooo” in a radio commercial, you instantly recognise the brand.

Frank Walker is the managing director at National Tiles, and is now a household name around Australia. Even if you’ve never purchased from National Tiles, there is no doubt that Frank’s voice comes to mind whenever you think of the word ‘tiles’.

 ‘Annoying marketing’ like this is created to leave a lasting impression on the consumer.

Somewhat annoying? Yes.

Extremely memorable? 100% yes.


Listen to this Aussie icon HERE.

#9 MORTEIN JINGLE

An Australian classic, pest management brand Mortein has had one of the most memorable and successful marketing jingles over the years. The famous Louie The Fly character, accompanied by their catchy “More smart, more safe, Mortein" jingle has helped make them one of Australia’s most memorable brands.

‘Catch’ a compilation of their popular ads HERE.

#10 MR SHEEN JINGLE

Mr Sheen entered the market in the 1950s and was the first aerosol product ever available in Australia.
As if this hype wasn't enough, Mr. Sheen then introduced a character into their advertising: the “housewife’s little helper, the rotund Mr. Sheen”.

Accompanied by the catchy “Oh Mr. Sheen, Oh Mr. Sheen…” jingle, the Mr Sheen brand soon became edged into the minds of Australians throughout the 1950’s, 60s, 70s and still today.

This jingle and other advertising was so effective that Mr Sheen has been sold for years without even advertising their product.

OTHER NOTABLE JINGLES & BRAND MUSIC INCLUDE:

• The Reading Writing Hotline jingle - One, three double-O, six triple five, o-six.

• Qantas - I still call Australia home. An emotive, reconsigned song that Qantas has built its brand around.

• Doors Plus - Doors Plus, no fuss. Simple. Memorable.

• Chicken Tonight - I feel like Chicken Tonight. Every kid in the 90s knew this jingle!

• Cottee’s Cordial - My dad picks the fruit. Ditto.

• Cancer Council Victoria - Slip Slop Slap. A real earworm.
  
  
  

  Three Iconic, Catchy Jingles From 2023

2023 has seen some catchy jingles used in advertising campaigns. Here are three that have stood out to us.

COLES

Coles have resurrected their iconic big red hand, ditching rockers Status Quo in favour of a remake of the C+C Music Factory hit ‘Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now.)’

Over a decade ago, the original big red hand commercials featured cameos from legendary rockers Status Quo singing their reworked hit song Down Down (Prices Are Down.)

Here's a version of the Coles 'Down Down' jingle featuring Status Quo.

In the latest campaign, replacing the iconic lyrics with ‘Great Value Hands Down’, the new commercials leant heavily on the reworked song to generate cut-through and recognition. The song 

Here’s a 2023 update featuring the remade C+C Music Factory jingle.

Using well-known songs and changing the lyrics is a popular - and powerful - way to cut through and reach consumers. However, advertisers need to have obtained the various clearances and rights to do this, which can be difficult. Sometimes, it’s easier to simply re-record a well-known song, keeping the lyrics the same.

A SLICE OF HEAVEN

Here’s an example of a real estate agency in Canberra where an original song was recorded and used as brand music for a 12-month campaign.

The company obtained the rights for the classic Dave Dobbin song ‘Slice of Heaven’, and our team re-recorded the music and vocals. Getting the rights to use the master (the original song) was difficult, so their advertising agency obtained the rights to re-record the material. The music was used across radio, TV and digital.

I FEEL LIKE A TOOHEYS

In 2023, Tooeys - and their agency Thinkerbell - resurrected the old-school, iconic jingle ‘I Feel Like A Tooheys.’ Drawing on their years of heritage and brand recognition, this campaign proved that advertisers don’t need to reinvent the wheel to get cut-through.

Some of the catchiest and most well-known jingles don’t try to be too clever or classy.  They unashamedly are earworms and keep their message simple. Because simple works.

Here’s the reworked Tooheys ad.

So there you have it.

These brands - along with hundreds of others - have used jingles to boost their brand and become more memorable and easily recalled in the minds of consumers.

One catchy tune can truly last a lifetime.

Just ask McDonalds…”i’m lovin’ it”.

If you want to stand out and create a memorable advertising jingle for your client or brand, talk to us. We’ll work with you to build a brief and compose a jingle package that might just make this list in 2024!

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