The 10 best advertising songs of all time - Coca-Cola, Lufthansa and more

Advertising songs have enormous power when it comes to conveying a message and successfully promoting a product. It's not just the lyrics and melody that are important, but also the emotional content and recognition value. In this article, we take a look at the criteria that make a successful advertising song and present the top 10 most popular songs from commercials.

Top 10 most popular songs from commercials

Due to their emotionality, recognition value, and target group appeal, these 10 songs are probably among the most successful advertising songs of all time.

1. "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" by The Hillside Singers (Coca-Cola commercial)

A harmonious song that symbolizes the unity and joy that the Coca-Cola ad wants to share with the world.

2. "Little Numbers" by BOY (Lufthansa commercial)

An upbeat and catchy indie pop song used in a Lufthansa commercial to create an atmosphere of ease and joy when traveling.

3. "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley (Axe commercial)

Elvis Presley's iconic ballad highlighting romance and tenderness in this Axe commercial.

4. "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins (Cadbury's Gorilla commercial)

Phil Collins' somber and haunting hit provides a humorous and unexpected twist, featuring a Gorilla in this Cadbury commercial.

5. "Heroes" by David Bowie (Microsoft commercial)

David Bowie's inspirational and epic song was used in this Microsoft commercial to celebrate the heroism and innovation of technology.

6. "1, 2, 3, 4" by Feist (Apple iPod commercial)

Feist's upbeat and catchy track, featured in Apple's iPod Nano commercials, reflects the simplicity and fun of the device, and represents a real breakthrough.

7. "Sail" by AWOLNATION (Red Bull commercial)

Here's an energetic song that underlines the adventurousness and courage of extreme sports in this Red Bull commercial.

8. "From Me To You" by The Beatles (John Lewis commercial)

It's The Beatles' heartwarming tune that tells a story of love and togetherness in this John Lewis ad.

9. "A Moment Like This" by Leona Lewis (Kinder Riegel commercial)

Leona Lewis' emotional and soulful ballad highlights the special importance of life's unique, memorable moments in this Kinder Riegel ad.

10. "Viva La Vida" - Coldplay (iTunes commercial)

Coldplay's anthemic and inspirational hit was used in the in this iTunes advertising spot to convey a triumphant mood, and the feeling of victory and success.

The power of music in advertising

Music has a unique ability to arouse emotions and convey a message. Advertisers also know this and therefore rely specifically on advertising songs to successfully promote their products. A good advertising song should not only fit the brand and the advertised product, but also appeal to the target group and remain in viewers' memories.

The use of music in advertising has a long history. As early as the 1920s, radio commercials were accompanied by music to attract listeners' attention. Since then, the use of music in advertising has evolved and become an important brand communication tool.

Nowadays, there is hardly any advertising that can do without music. It's not just about incorporating well-known songs, but also composing your own pieces of music that are written specifically for advertising. The focus is often on certain moods and emotions in order to achieve the desired effect on the viewer.

One example of this is the advertising for the automobile company Mercedes-Benz. Here, for years, the company has relied on a particular music that stands for the brand and its products. The music, which was composed especially for the advertising, is now so well known that it is immediately associated with Mercedes-Benz.

Choosing the correct genre also plays an important role. For example, many advertisers rely on pop music, as this is listened to by a wider audience, and thus a high reach can be achieved. But other genres such as rock, jazz or classical music are also used to address specific target groups.

In addition to music, the visual design of advertising also plays an important role. Here, music videos are often produced, which set the scene for the advertised product and thus ensure greater attention.

Overall, it can be said that the use of music in advertising is an important component of brand communication. Through the targeted selection of music pieces, a message can be transported and an emotional connection to the product can be built.

The top 3 criteria for a successful advertising song

Songs are an important part of any advertising campaign. They can help a brand to be remembered and evoke positive associations. But what makes a successful advertising song? What criteria must be met for these songs to be effective?

1. Emotional content

Emotions are key to the success of a commercial song. If a song manages to create an emotional connection with the viewer, it will be remembered and the brand will be thought about positively. For example, a sad song can evoke compassion and empathy, while a happy song can evoke joy and excitement. Quality emotional content can significantly increase the success of an advertising campaign.

2. Recognition value

Another important criterion for a successful advertising song is its recognition value. A good advertising song should be immediately associated with the advertised brand and product. This can be achieved by a striking chorus or a catchy melody. The recognition value is crucial for the song to remain in the memory even after the advertising campaign.

3. Target group approach

A good advertising song should also appeal to the target group. This is not only about musical taste, but also about the interests and needs of the target group. A song for a luxury brand should sound different from a song for a mass-market product. Addressing the target group is therefore an important factor for the success of an advertising song.

An example of an advertising song that appeals to the target group is the song "The Middle" by Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey. The song was written for the Target brand and is an example of a successful target group approach. The song is a mix of pop and country and thus appeals to a broad target group. At the same time, the song is a perfect fit for the Target brand, which is known for its wide range of products and great value for money.

Overall, there are many criteria that make up a successful advertising song. A good advertising song should create an emotional connection with the viewer, have a high recognition value and appeal to the target group. If these criteria are met, a commercial song can help a brand to be remembered and evoke positive associations.

The top 10 most popular advertising songs of all time prove that it's hard to imagine a good advertising campaign without a compelling song.

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Produce commercial hits & songs together

Songs used by large companies for their advertising are a lucrative business. Most of the songs are not written specifically for advertising, but can be listened to outside of that context as well. If you feel like writing a song or want to join forces with other musicians, check out our musician search. Here you can find like-minded people and producers for your project.