What’s Your Line?

When you read the following list, it will not only rush back memories, these words will remain with you for a very long time. As a wordsmith, my avocation is to craft phrases that motivate, inspire, promote and provoke thought, and call the reader to action.

I humbly bow to those betters who go a step beyond and find the simple combination of words that etch themselves into our collective memory forever. Think about the brands that you know well, and perhaps even love. Chances are, it’s not just a brand name you’re recalling, but a tagline, too. Almost every single brand, product and large corporation has some kind of tagline. Some are timeless, others get replaced every decade, or even sooner if it’s just not resonating with the public.

Taglines can be inspirational, like a product philosophy, or they can be something fun and memorable. While some can impel you to be better, do more, or go further, others are simply a fun play on words.

Over the years, thousands and thousands of taglines have come and gone, but some are legendary. Here, in no particular order (although Nike is clearly number one, and always will be), are 50 of the best taglines from brands around the world. Most are American brands, but you may spot a few from other countries in there. It’s also worth noting that the tagline from DeBeers was, and is, part of a strategy to artificially increase the value of diamonds.

It has worked.

The TOP 50 Advertising Taglines Ever

JUST DO IT – Nike, 1988

A DIAMOND IS FOREVER – DeBeers, 1948

WHERE’S THE BEEF – Wendy’s, 1984

WE TRY HARDER – Avis, 1962

PROBABLY THE BEST LAGER IN THE WORLD – Carlsberg, 1973

ALL BECAUSE THE LADY LOVES MILK TRAY – Cadbury UK, 1968

THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE – BMW, 1975

MAYBE SHE’S BORN WITH IT – MAYBE IT’S MAYBELLINE – L’Oreal, 1991

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT – American Express, 1975

THE BANK THAT LIKES TO SAY YES – Trustee Savings Bank (TSB), 1980

BEANZ MEANZ HEINZ – Heinz, 1967

A MARS A DAY HELPS YOU WORK, REST AND PLAY – Mars, 1980

HAVE A BREAK. HAVE A KIT KAT. – Rowntree, 1957

THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES – Coca Cola, 1927

GOOD TO THE LAST DROP – Maxwell House, 1959

CAN YOU EAT THREE SHREDDED WHEAT? – Nabisco, 1970s

I BET HE DRINKS CARLING BLACK LABEL – Carling, 1971

DOES SHE…OR DOESN’T SHE? – Clairol, 1964

IT’S NOT TV, IT’S HBO – HBO, 1997

HELLO TOSH, GOTTA TOSHIBA – Toshiba, 1984

THINK DIFFERENT – Apple, 1990s

IT TAKES A LICKING AND KEEPS ON TICKING – Times, 1950s

CENTRAL HEATING FOR KIDS – Ready Brek, 1980s

YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS – Allstate, 1950s

MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, NOT IN YOUR HANDS – M&Ms, 1950s

WHEN IT ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HAS TO BE THERE OVERNIGHT – FedEx, 1982

REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE – AT&T, 1979

THE UNCOLA – 7UP, 1973

LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING – Yellow Pages, 1964

THE OTHER WHITE MEAT – Pork, 1986

I LOVE NEW YORK – NY State Dept., 1977

HAVE A COKE AND A SMILE – Coca Cola, 1979

HAVE IT YOUR WAY – Burger King, 1973

I CAN’T BELIEVE I ATE THE WHOLE THING – Alka Seltzer, 1966

PLEASE DON’T SQUEEZE THE CHARMIN – Charmin, 1964

WHAT HAPPENS HERE, STAYS HERE – Las Vegas, 2002

THERE ARE SOME THINGS MONEY CAN’T BUY. FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, THERE’S MASTERCARD – Mastercard, 1997

LIFTS AND SEPARATES – Playtex, 1930s

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW – Verizon, 2002

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS – Wheaties, 1930s

GO TO WORK ON AN EGG – Egg Marketing Board UK, 1950s

GOT MILK? – California Milk Processor Board, 1993

TASTES GREAT, LESS FILLING – Miller Lite, 1974

IT’S THE REAL THING – Coca Cola, 1970

A LITTLE DAB’LL DO YA – Brylcreem, 1950s

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN – Wrigley’s Doublemint, 1959

SHARE THE FANTASY – Chanel No. 5, 1979

THINK SMALL – Volkswagen, 1959

MMM MMM GOOD – Campbell’s Soup, 1930s

Now, after a century of great advertising, not every tagline could make it onto the list. Some notable runners up include “It’s So Simple” for Polaroid, “When it Rains it Pours” for Morton Salt, and “This Bud’s For You” for Budweiser. If you believe a corporation or brand should have been on this list, but didn’t make it, please add it in the comments with your reason why it should be included.

Thanks for reading and taking a stroll down memory lane.

Scott