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During the 1960s, popular music helped deliver Coke’s ad messages. On the radio, listeners heard the jingle “Things Go Better with
The commercials were so popular that listeners bombarded radio stations with requests to play them. In response, Coke bottlers distributed 60,000 special Swing the Jingles promotional records that featured artists like The Drifters and Little Milton.
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My name is Phil Mooney, and I've served as the historian/archivist for
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There's more to this story! I'm not sure if you're "allowed" to link to the rest, but the Swing the Singles records are now on the internet for people to download (one of the music blogs uploaded the entire disc a few years ago, and last I checked, nobody had asked them to take it down). There are quite a few other notable acts on there too - Tom Jones, the Moody Blues, Lesley Gore, Lulu, the Bee Gees, Nancy Sinatra, Jan and Dean...
The Who was later inspired to do their own version of Things Go Better With Coke, too, for their The Who Sell Out album.
I'd be interested in hearing more about the music, by the way. I've collected some of these classic jingles, but I also have some newer ones in my collection (I love the Jars of Clay jingle from the mid-90's too).
Posted by: Dan | February 27, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Dan - Thanks for your message. It's great to hear from someone with so much knowledge about our advertising. You're right: There were many more artists who recorded Swing the Jingle singles, including the ones you mentioned and Los Bravos, Roy Orbison, and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders! I'd named just a few of the African-American singers/groups in honor of Black History Month. Thanks for pointing out the depth of the program and the variety of artists. And please check back often for more music- and ad-related posts. -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | February 27, 2008 at 04:52 PM
I think it's so great (and appropriate) that Coca-Cola is a primary sponsor of "American Idol"...it's a kind of continuation of that type of pop culture-attachment that Coke did so brilliantly with the jingle series back in the 60's.
People keep talking today about seamless integration of ad messages into TV shows, and "branding" and all that...they need to study their history! Coke was seamlessly integrating their message into top 40 radio stations decades ago.
Posted by: doctorjpw | March 01, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Phil, I am interested in finding some information about an album that was given to employees as a coca-cola bottler sales promotion called, "The Grip of Leadership". It is dated December, 1961 and was produced by The Jam Handy Organization. It was given out upon Coca-Cola's 75th Anniversary. Are you familiar with this album? I have searched the auctions and online and have not been able to find any information. I would love to hear if you have ever come across this album and if you know of its value. Thank you, Ed
Posted by: ews40 | March 04, 2008 at 05:12 PM
ews40 - The record you have was a souvenir from a Company meeting. Records like this usually have highlights of the meeting, but little commercial content. Generally speaking, Coke collectors don't have a lot of interest in the records, so it would have a value in the $20-$25 range. Thank you -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | March 05, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Hi Phil,
On the "Things Go Better" ads from the late 60s, did the featured artists write their own spots? Any more info you could offer would be appreciated!
Posted by: swandive33 | June 01, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Swandive33 - We don't have specific details about how the jingles came about, but we believe the ad agency worked with the artists to develop the jingles fitting the artists' styles. Thanks -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | June 02, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Does anyone know where i can find the coca cola radio spot that Jars of Clay did in 1996? Or where i can at least listen to it. I am a fan of their music and have never heard it but would like to.
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by: Dave | March 17, 2009 at 06:19 PM