"In My Merry Oldsmobile" (adapted for the Oldsmobile
division of General Motors)
music by Gus Edwards and
words by Vincent P. Bryan
(c) 1905 by M. Witmark and Sons.
[The tune was adapted for the Oldsmobile Jingle used on
radio and television, including the opening of the
CBS Television News with Douglas Edwards (circa 1949--52)
and the Sam Levinson Program]
"Have You Tried Wheaties?" [Wheaties breakfast cereal]
(c) 1929 by General Mills, Inc.
[performed by "The Happiness Boys"]
[exact copyright filing date and composer(s) still
under investigation]
[The tune was adapted from "Jazz Baby", a popular song originally
published in 1919 by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co., New York,
and recorded on a 78-rpm single by pioneering female jazz
singer Marion Harris; the record was released in April of
1919 on the Victor label (#18555-B);
The composers were M. K. Jerome (who wrote the tune) and
Blanche Merrill (who wrote the original words); this song
was also the basis for the "Abbott and Costello TV Theme"
(the show was sponsored by Wheaties at one point);
The TV Theme was a looser adaptation of "Jazz Baby"; claimed
as a separate work by music packager Raoul Kraushaar (who got
ASCAP performance royalties on it for a time);
But the basis for both the Wheaties jingle and the TV Theme
was the melody of this 1919 pop song.
Contributor Pat Coffey tells us that liner notes of the original
soundtrack to the 1967 film musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
were written by film producer Ross Hunter. He wrote that when
Carol Channing played the character "Muzzy", the producers
wanted her to sing "Jazz Baby" on the film soundtrack --
perhaps to give it some period authenticity -- but they
discovered "the copyright was owned by General Mills", and
according to Hunter, it took six weeks to sort it out;
Although General Mills may have had the copyright on the version
with new lyrics, it seems the lawyers must have gotten the
best of that deal: By 1967, the 1919 copyright on "Jazz Baby"
would have expired, so the song would have clearly been in the
Public Domain -- Copyrights prior to 1976 ran for a period of
28 years with only one renewal allowed for a total of 56 years,
so the copyright on "Jazz Baby" would have run out in 1965.
If General Mills tried to claim ownership of "Jazz Baby" via
their 1929 version with new commercial lyrics, the prior filing
of the original 1919 song would have settled the matter;
Copyright of the original song would not have been extensible
or applicable unless Carol Channing was to sing the Wheaties
lylric; So it is unclear why it took six weeks to sort it out;
the original filing was right there in copyright records.]
"Flit Radio Jingle" by Alan Kent and Austen Croom-Johnson.
[Flit gun insecticide dispenser]
(c) May 22, 1940. E Unp[ublished] 222695.
by Alan Kent and Austen Croom-Johnson.
"J-E-L-L-O" [Jello gelatin dessert]
[Signature for "The Jack Benny Jell-O Program" which
premiered on Oct. 14, 1934 on the NBC Blue Network;
Some have credited Don Bestor as the originator in the
1930's, however see the "official" 1940 filing below.]
"J-E-L-L-O" music by Harmon Oscar Nelson, Jr., words by Harry Von Zell.
[Harry Von Zell was the announcer on several programs
that advertised "Jello brand gelatin dessert", so it is
ironic that he would be credited as the "author of the
lyric", which consisted of the five letters of the name.
Someone at General Foods must have had a sense of humor."]
(c) September 20, 1940. E Unp[ublished] 231580.
by General Foods Corp., New York.
"Old Jello Jingle" adapter/arranger Meredith Willson
[from the original motif;
exact copyright date still under investigation]
"Jello Shimmer" by Meredith Willson
[exact copyright date still under investigation]
"From The Land of Sky Blue Water" (Hamm's Beer)
Although there was a 1909 poem by Charles Wakefield Cadman
with the title, "From The Land of Skye-Blue Water" which
was adapted for a 1937 popular song...the melody in the
Hamm's Beer jingle is actually an adaptation of the
"Dagger Dance", from the 1911 musical production "Natoma",
composed by Irish-born American Victor Herbert (founder of ASCAP.)
[exact copyright date still under investigation]
"Nickel, Nickel" aka "Pepsi-Cola Hits The Spot";
words and adaptation by
Austen Herbert Croom-Johnson and Alan Bradley Kent;
some versions may have been arranged by Eric Siday.
[Austen Croom-Johnson later used the pseudonym "Ginger Johnson."]
based upon the 18th-century English hunting song "John Peel".
"Nickel, Nickel" copyright under investigation
"Pepsi-Cola Hits The Spot" (c) 1939 by Johnson-Siday
[exact copyright filing dates still under investigation]
[The "Soda Museum LLC" Web Site says, "This little jingle
would go on to be recorded in 55 different languages..."]
"Camel Theme" [C...A-M...E-L...S, for Camels Cigarettes];
words & music by Freddie Rich
(c) circa 1940;
[exact copyright filing date and registration
number under investigation]
"Wesson Theme Song" [Wesson cooking oil]
words & melody by Charles Abbott. 1 copy.
(c) April 1, 1943. E Unp[ublished] 329034.
Southern Cotton Oil Co., New Orleans.
"Rinso White Song" [Rinso White detergent]
words & music Harold Rome.
(c) July 21, 1943; E Unp[ublished] 341023.
Lever Bros. Co., Cambridge, Mass.
"The Coca Cola Company Theme"
by Leonard Joy
[Theme of "Coke Time" with Eddie Fisher and
other radio programs sponsored by Coca-Cola]
(c) Apr. 23, 1944; EP 110 007.
"Brush Your Teeth With Colgate" [Colgate toothpaste]
words & music by Robert ("Bob") Forshaw
[exact date and registration number under investigation]
"I'm Chiquita Banana" [United Fruit Company, banana importers]
by William Wirges, Len Mackenzie and Garth Montgomery
(c) 1946 by Shawnee Press
[exact date and registration number under investigation]
"Wildroot Cream Oil Charlie"
words/arr.(??) attributed to J. Ward Maurer;
music adapted from the traditional Public Domain melody
"I've Been Working On The Railroad" (a "Levee song")
presumably originating in the South...but first published
in 1894 with the sub-title "as heard at Princeton" (University);
[exact copyright filing date and registration
number (if any) under investigation]
NOTE: Woody Herman's radio show was sponsored by Wildroot Cream Oil
hair tonic, and he co-wrote two compositions -- one simply called
"Wildroot" was co-written with arranger Neal Hefti and the other
one below; It's not known what part (if any) of these compositions
used the melody "I've Been Working On The Railroad" from which the
hair tonic jingle was adapted...
"Cream Oil Charlie"; [Wildroot Cream Oil Charlie]
melody by Tad Dameron & Woody Herman.
(c) Jan. 27, 1946; EU 4670.
Charling Music Corp., New York.
"Brylcreem, A Little Dab Will Do Ya" [Brylcreem Hair Cream]
music by John P. Atherton;
words by Hanley Norins;
(c) 1946
[exact copyright filing date and registration
number under investigation]
"Quaker Oats Jingle" [Quaker Oats breakfast cereal]
words & music by Joe Rines
(c) Paull-Pioneer Music Corp.
July 6, 1948; Eu 137 757.
"Brylcreem Makes Men's Hair Look Neat"
[aka: "Brylcream <sic> Jingle"]
words & music by John P. Atherton;
(c) by Atherton & Currier, Inc.
Nov. 8, 1949; Eu 184 363.
"Chevrolet Teaser and Commercial"
[See The U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet]
words & music by Leon Carr and Leo Corday
(c) Leo Corday & Leon Carr
Oct. 26, 1950; Eu 219 470.
also (c) 1950 by General Motors Corporation
(Chevrolet Motor Division)
"Falstaff Beer"
words and music by Phil Davis;
Oct 16, 1950; Eu 218 258.
"Be Happy, Go Lucky" [Lucky Strike cigarettes]
[by Raymond Scott, pseudonym of Harry Warnow]
(c) on added words & music;
The American Tobacco Co, New York;
(c) Feb. 6, 1951. EP 53 853.
Appl. states prev. reg. as
"Be Happy - Go Luckies" Jul. 26, 1950. EU 210 769;
"L.S. Jingle No. 2", Jul. 26, 1950. EU 210 765.
"Muriel Cigars (Muriel Cigar Jingle)"
words & music by Peter V. Keveson;
(c) Lennon & Mitchell, Inc.
Sep. 1, 1950; EU 214 008.
Revised version: "Muriel"
by Ralph Freed, Al Hoffman and Peter Keveson
(c) Feb. 25, 1954; Eu 349 580.
"What'll You Have?" [Pabst Blue Ribbon];
words by Irvin J. Wagner, employee for hire of
The Pabst Brewing Co.;
music by Bill Gale,
adapted from the nursery tune "Ten Little Indians";
(c) 1951 by The Pabst Brewing Company of Milwaukee, WI
Published by Gala Music Publishing Corp.
Unpublished Copyright filed Mar. 7, 1951; EU 231 529.
Published Copyright filed May. 15, 1951, EP 54 776.
"Halo, Everybody, Halo" [Halo Shampoo];
words & music by Joe Rines.
(c) June 22, 1951; Ep 55 702.
"Ajax Jingle" [Use Ajax, the Foaming Cleanser];
words & music by Joe Rines.
(c) June 22, 1951; Ep 55 703.
NOTE: Although the above two jingles by Joe Rines
were filed for PUBLISHED copyright in June, 1951,
they had been heard on radio for years before...
The original UNPUBLISHED copyright is still under
investigation for both...
"Kellogg's Raisin Bran [Flakes]"
music by Bob Swanson;
words by John De Vries, employee for hire of
The Kellogg Company
(c) The Kellogg Company
Sep. 24, 1951; EU 250 898;
Oct. 24, 1951; EU 254 040.
"N-E-S-T-L-E-S Nestle's Makes the Very Best Chocolate";
words & music by Nestle's Chocolate Company, Inc., employer
for hire of Alan Robert Scott and Marilyn Scott
(c) Feb. 12, 1952; EU 264 251.
"To Look Sharp" [Gillette Safety Razors and Razor Blades]
[aka: "Look Sharp March",
"Be Sharp March" and
"Look Sharp/Be Sharp March"]
music by Mahlon Merrick;
[Note that the first citation is a Movie, probably used
to open the "Gillette Cavalcade of Sports"...]
"Look Sharp March Opening" (c) Oct. 1, 1952; MP 3 169.
"To Look Sharp" (c) Oct. 23, 1953; EP 75 261.
"Pepsodent Jingle" [You'll Wonder Where the Yellow Went...]
words and music and (c) National Export Advertising
Services, Inc., employer for hire of...
James Gwin Zea and Terig Tucci.
(c) Feb. 26, 1953; Eu 305 376.
"Old Spice Sea Chanty; 1 minute radio and T V commercial."
[Old Spice after-shave lotion]
music by Ginger Johnson, pseudonym of Austen Croom-Johnson.
(c) Mar. 12, 1953; EU 307 408.
[Although filed for copyright as an original composition,
it is adapted from the Traditional bagpipe melody and song
known as "Scotland the Brave." The whistler on the recording
was Jean "Toots" Thielemans.]
"Peter Paul Mounds" [Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut...]
[(and later): Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut...]
[Peter Paul Mounds candy bars]
words by Leo Corday; Music by Leon Carr;
(c) Leo Corday and Leon Carr.
filed on June 16, 1953; Eu 320 178.
"Kellogg's Raisin Bran"
words, music and (c) by Henry ("Hank") Sylvern
Oct. 27, 1953; Eu 336 770.
"You're Ahead In A Ford All The Way"
aka: "Ford Jingle"
music by Lewis Allan [professional name of Abel Meeropol]
[This stirring jingle march was used as a Closing theme for
the nighttime variety version of the "Tennessee Ernie Ford
Show" as sponsored by Ford Motor company from 1956 - 1961;
And there is evidence the campaign continued through 1967;
exact date and filing of copyright under investigation]
"Roto-Rooter Jingle (Away go troubles down the drain)"
words and music composed by Larry Wellington;
Original arrangement by clarinetist Jerry Richards.
[The "Roto-Rooter Jingle" was composed in May, 1954
in demo form; and first aired in a commercial in
November, 1956;
Larry Wellington was the Creative Director of the
"United Film and Recording Studios" of Chicago; this
is also the studio where it was recorded; Wellington
was also known as an accordian player with a group
called "Lousie Massey and The Westerners" -- who
were regulars on the WLS "National Barn Dance",
a national radio show originating from Chicago;
Wellington also scored a couple of B-movies during
the 1950s.
The same recording was used in commercials produced
for 10 years, until 1966; The original instrumentation
heard on the air behind the singers was: clarinet, bass,
accordian, wood block and guitar;
The original jingle was performed by Tom C. Fouts who
was known as Captain Stubby, and his backup group --
The Bucanneers (also regulars on WLS's "National
Barn Dance")...according to Paul Abrams, Roto-Rooter's
2003 Public Relations manager, this jingle is one of the
few compositions that have been in continuous use
for nearly 50 years (albeit in different arrangements.)
Abrams said that Tom Fouts used what he called his
"froggy" voice on the words "Away go troubles down
the drain", and that Fouts also was the voice of
"Little Sprout" in the original Green Giant commercials.
Tom C. Fouts was born on November 24, 1918, in Carroll
County, Indiana]
"Fifty Million Times A Day" [Coca-Cola]
words and music by Ben Ludlow
(c) 1955 by The Coca-Cola Company
[exact date still under investigation]
"Bosco Jingle" [I Love Bosco]; [Bosco chocolate syrup]
by the Wallerstein Company, Inc., employer for hire of
John <sic>[actually Joan] Edwards & Lyn Duddy.
(c) July 25, 1955; EU 404 645.
"Robert Hall Commercial" [When the values go up, up, up...
and the prices go down, down down...]
[Robert Hall Clothing Stores]
music by Leon Mitchell;
words by Charles A. Gaston;
Original version (c) 1946;
Copyright by Charles A. Gaston & Leon Mitchell;
(c) Feb. 28, 1957; EU 467 561.
"Take Me Along (Fly The Friendly Skies of United)" adapted from
the title song of the Broadway musical "Take Me Along"
words and music by Bob Merrill
Copyright by Bob Merrill (c) Aug. 6, 1959; Eu 590 396.
Renewed Feb. 17, 1987; RE-328-740.
"Pillsbury Says It Best" [Nothin' Says Lovin' Like Something
From the Oven...];
[composer credit "Pillsbury Commercial" = Paul Taubman (ASCAP)]
(c) 1957 by Leo Burnett & Co., Inc.
[exact date still under investigation]
"The Joy Of Living" [Know The Real Joy of Good Living,
Move Up To Quality, Move Up To Schlitz.];
words and music by Phil Davis;
(c) 1958 by Beechwood Music Corporation, New York.
(published version): (c) Feb 2. 1959; EP 127 560.
"The San Francisco Treat" [Rice-a-Roni packaged rice]
words by Charles Foll;
melody based upon the 1923 song "Barney Google"
by Billy Rose and Con Conrad;
(c) woodblock "soft-shoe" instr. 1958, vocal 1961;
[exact date still under investigation]
"Double Your Pleasure" [Double Your Fun] [for Doublemint Gum];
music by Richard Robinson ("Dick") Cunliffe;
words and music by Myron Edward ("Mike") Chon;
Copyright by William Wrigley Jr. [Chewing Gum] Company;
(c) Sept. 23, 1959; EU 595 175.
"Go, Go, Goodyear" [for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.]
music by Robert Lamar ("Bob") Thompson;
words by Hanley Norins;
Copyright 1961
[exact date still under investigation]
[Maxwell House Coffee-pot "Percolator Theme" -- merging two
melodies created by two different music production houses --
a slow obligato melody on top of the short figure played by
guitarist who "chokes" the strings to keep the notes short,
and a percussionist playing the same notes on temple blocks;
The official titles filed for copyrights were as follows...]
"Perky (based on 'Percolabligato' & 'A Pot for the A.M.')"
by Wade F. Denning, Jr. & Eric Siday
(c) June 22, 1961; EU 675 967.
[The predecessor copyrights were...]
"A Pot for the A.M. (for temple blocks, guitar, and bass)"
by Wade F. Denning, Jr.
[the choked guitar and temple blocks figure...not sure
why the copyright on this was filed later than the next]
(c) April 15, 1960; EU 621 010.
"Percolabligato (for temple blocks, guitar, and bass)"
by Eric Siday
[includes the slow obligato melody over the choked
guitar and temple blocks figure]
(c) July 2, 1959; EU 583 481.
[The (General Mills - Pillsbury) Jolly Green Giant "Ho-Ho-Ho"
This signature sound within Pillsbury jingles for canned &
frozen vegetables has been assigned a Trademark by the U.S.
Patent and Trademark office -- serial number 75821499,
filed on October 12, 1999.
It's "first use in commerce" is listed as the year 1961.
The description of the mark is as follows]:
'The mark is the sound of a deep, male, human-like voice
saying "Ho-Ho-Ho" in even intervals with each "Ho"
dropping in pitch.'
The recording of the "Ho-Ho-Ho" used on the air has deep
reverberation; The "human-like voice" described in the
trademark was that of Chicago-area baritone vocalist
Elmer "Len" Dresslar, Jr. (1925 - October 16, 2005), a
member of the "Singers Unlimited" jazz vocal group.
"Kent (Versions no. 1-2)" [Kent Cigarettes]
words and music by Richard Adler.
July 25, 1961; EU 680 366.
"Kent Is The Best" [Kent Filter Cigarettes]
music by Richard Adler.
Copyright (c) July 25, 1961; EU 680 369.
"Hertz" [Puts You In The Driver's Seat]
[Hertz auto rental]
music and words by Richard Adler
Copyright (c) Mar. 7, 1962; EU 712 766.
"Newport Filter Cigarettes"
music by Richard Adler
[exact copyright filing date and registration
number under investigation]
"Tiparillo Theme (Cigars, Cigarettes, Tiparillos?)"
[Robert Burns Tiparillos]
words and music by Clay Warnick;
Copyright by General Cigar Co, Inc.
(c) Nov. 29, 1962; EP 170 036.
"The Wiener Song"
[ I Wish I Were an Oscar Meyer Wiener; and
I'd Love To Be an Oscar Meyer Wiener]
by Adversonic Productions, Inc.
[composer Richard D. Trentlage (ASCAP), and
lyric (??) by Arthur L. Zapel, Jr. (ASCAP)]
Copyright by Oscar Meyer Foods, a div. of Kraft Foods, Inc.
Aug. 26, 1965; EU 899 931.
"The Ford March" [The Feel of the Wheel of a Ford];
by Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman,
employees for hire of Walt Disney Productions;
(c) Nov. 1, 1965; EU 911 007.
"A Tumwater Rhapsody", etc. [Olympia Beer];
music by Jerome Moross.
(c) Olympia Brewing Company;
"A Tumwater Rhapsody" (c) Dec. 29, 1965; EU 918 639.
"Tumwater (30-sec. version) (c) Dec. 29, 1965; EU 918 640.
"Tumwater (60-sec. version) (c) Dec. 29, 1965; EU 918 641.
"Tumwater Theme" (c) Dec. 29, 1965; EU 918 642.
"Tumwater Music" (c) Feb. 7, 1966; EU 924 042.
"At Beneficial (Doot! Doot!) You're Good For More"
[Beneficial Finance Company]
words and music by Steve Karmen
(c) 1968, Elsmere Music
"Budweiser/You've Said It All" [Budweiser Beer]
words and music by Steve Karmen
(c) Sep. 1, 1970; EU 205 341.
"You Deserve A Break Today (at McDonald's)"
[McDonald's fast-food restaurants]
words and music by Kevin Gavin and Sid Woloshin
(c) 1971 by G & W Publishing Corp.
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"I'd like to teach the world to sing (in perfect harmony)"
[Coca-Cola]
words and music by Roger F. Cook,
Roquel B. Davis,
William M. (Bill) Backer &
Roger John Reginald Greenaway.
(c) Dec. 1, 1971; EP 294 402.
"Nobody Doesn't Like Sara Lee" [Sara Lee frozen pies and cakes]
music by Mitchell ("Mitch") Leigh
(c) 1972 by Andrew Scott, Inc.
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"C and H Pure Cane Sugar" [California and Hawaii Sugar Co.]
melody based upon the 1964 song "Pearly Shells"
also known by its Hawaiian title, "Pupu O Ewa"
words and music by Leon Pober and Webley Edwards;
original song filed for copyright in 1962 and 1964;
new words for commercial jingle (c) 1974
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"The Alka-Seltzer Theme" [Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz]
[Alka-Seltzer antacid tablets]
words and music by Tom Dawes
(c) 1976 by Miles Laboratories
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"(We're) American Airlines - Doing What We Do Best"
words and music by Tom Dawes
(c) 1976 by American Airlines
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"Like a Good Neighbor" [State Farm Is There]
[State Farm Insurance]
words by Jerry Gavin and Keith Reinhard
music by Barry Manilow
(c) 1976 by G & W Publishing Co.
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"The Meow Mix Theme" [Meow, meow, meow, meow...]
[Ralston Meow Mix cat food]
music by Thomas G. McFaul,
(c) 1976 by Ralston-Purina Company
[exact filing date still under investigation;
...Gee, there's no credit for a "lyricist"??
I wonder who wrote those unforgettable words? :-)
The answer was provided by the composer...see
"How The Pussy Learned To Sing"]
"Michelob Beer" [Weekends were made for Michelob]
music by Steve Karmen;
Elsmere Music, Inc.
(c) Nov. 16, 1978, PAu 45-140.
"Here's To Good Friends" [Lowenbrau Beer]
words by J. Walter Thompson U. S. A., Inc.;
music by [employee for hire] William M. (Bill) Backer;
[sung over the air originally by Arthur Prysock]
various versions (c) Miller Brewing Company, 1978 - 1982
[original copyright under investigation]
"We Bring Good Things To Life" [General Electric (G.E.)]
by Thomas G. McFaul and David Lucas;
(c) 1979
[exact filing date still under investigation]
"Cheese! Glorious Cheese!" - a 1980's ad campaign (perhaps
sponsored by The American Dairy Association ??) --
This was a jingle adapted from the song titled,
"Food! Glorious Food!" from the 1960 British musical
"Oliver!" -- book, words and music by Lionel Bart
(a London-based composer: birth name Lionel Begleiter)
The musical premiered on Broadway in New York in 1963;
Then was made into a motion picture in 1968 which
won the Academy Award for "Best Picture" in 1969;
U.S. Copyright (c) Nov. 18, 1968; EP 255 695.
Renewal filed (c) Feb. 1, 1996; RE-726-994
"Intel Inside" Logo [Computer micro-chips]
music by Walter Werzowa;
[this 4-note logo is not found listed in Library of
Congress copyright files; composer credit from article in
the "National Enquirer" magazine, issue of March 20, 2001.
It is, however, found in the US Patent & Trademark records
as an INTEL Corp. Trademark #75332744; filed on 7/29/1997
with its "first use in commerce" listed as 1994; It is
described as follows:
"The mark consists of a five tone audio progression of the
notes D Flat, D Flat, G Flat, D Flat, and A Flat."]
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