They say that we can remember something more easily if it's set to music (just think of all the song lyrics you have in your mental repertoire, and how much easier it is to remember the words if you actually sing them instead of just trying to recite them). Well, I am living proof of it.
When I was growing up in Milwaukee, there was a radio/TV commercial for a car dealer called Hall Chevroet. It had a catchy tune and went something like this:
Like it's fun being the one person whose birthday is today,
Like it's fun being the one who make everything feel okay,
Like it's fun being the one driving a Hall Chevrolet,
Eleven-oh-eleven West North Avenue.
I still remember listening to this jingle when my husband was driving me to school (university) on winter mornings, so it's pretty firmly etched in my mind. Then, shortly after I got divorced, I moved out of state and didn't come back until about eleven years later for my high school reunion.
While I was there, I was getting caught up with old friends and among them was my ex-husband. We made a lunch date at a restaurant near where he worked, way out in the western suburbs. I was pretty unfamiliar with that area in the first place, and since I hadn't learned how to drive until after I'd left Milwaukee, driving on the freeway around there was not exactly like coming home again. But, I knew I had to get off at the North Avenue exit, and once I was off the freeway, Milwaukee's superior grid-like street system would be easy to figure out.
However, matters were further complicated by the freeway exit itself, which was one of those big clover-leaf deals that are so common on North American roads. I managed to get off at the right exit, but going around the clover-leaf completely turned me around, so that, once I was off the freeway, I didn't know which road I was on. Just as I was looking for someplace to pull in offf the busy road to ask directions, I spotted a huge car dealership with an enormous sign looming overhead: HALL CHEVROLET.
Immediately, I knew where I was! The tune popped right into my head...."Eleven-oh-eleven West North Avenue!" Not only did I know that I was on North Avenue, but I knew that I was on the corner of 110th and North, and furthermore, I knew which direction to head in, because I knew that the odd numbered addresses are always on the south side of the street!
God bless American urban designers, and god bless those catchy jingles! Thanks, Hall Chevrolet! I couldn't have done it without you!
How about you? Do you have any stories to tell about a special jingle in your life?
kruuyai posted on Aug 19, 2007
| views: 456
Comments
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mobil said on Aug 19, 2007....
No I don't Kru and I've been thinkin really hard on it. Nothing comes to mind, but I get a jingle in my head and can't kick it out. That's either a sign of intellegence or mental illness.............hmmmm, and I am not that bright.Great story though Kru, what was a nice girl like you doing in Ohio? haha -
kruuyai said on Aug 19, 2007....
mobil: Ohio??????????????????????????????? -
mobil said on Aug 19, 2007....
What was I thinking, Wisconsin...............that's better huh? cheesehead -
kruuyai said on Aug 19, 2007....
That's right! (Oh, I feel so much better). :) -
mobil said on Aug 19, 2007....
What? You've never been to Milwaukee Ohio? hahaha -
beyondtheveil said on Aug 19, 2007....
kruu- Like mobil, I can't remember a jingle with a story behind it like yours. However, I do remember many times fighting to rid those jingles out of my head. It bothers me to no end walking around knowing there is all this beautiful music and I'm stuck for hours with a stupid jingle.
By the way, what was a nice girl like you doing in Minnesota?
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silverwhisper said on Aug 19, 2007....
honestly, i can't think of any ads that had such an impact on me, either.
ed -
kruuyai said on Aug 20, 2007....
mobil: Hahaahaa... no, but I've heard of Milwaukie [sic], Washington. :)
beyond: lol... well, I haven't been in Minnesota lately, but I know what I'd be doing if I were there... looking up old Jolly Roger! Really, someone should give you guys a geography lesson. :)
ed: Hmmm, methinks the question should have been, what jingle has been the hardest to get out of your head?
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silverwhisper said on Aug 20, 2007....
o sure...you want me to think about it, then get it stuck in my head again, do you? bah, i say! :p
ed -
wombat said on Aug 20, 2007....
Can't think of one right now, but it will be on my mind all day! Something about "Cee Bee" Food Sores comes to mind, but I guess it didn't stick! However, I am most grateful that the Empire Carpet jingle didn't start when I was little. I would be in a rubber room by now....! -
kruuyai said on Aug 20, 2007....
wombat: I don't know that one, but I can sympathize with you.. lol. At least the Hall Chevrolet commercial was kind of a nice tune. -
kruuyai said on Aug 20, 2007....
ed: Haha... is that so bad? :) -
silverwhisper said on Aug 20, 2007....
well, it was bad enough that i deliberately burned it out of my memory, so i'm gonna guess yes. :>
ed -
wombat said on Aug 20, 2007....
Kruuyai: Ha, I meant Cee Bee Food Stores, not sores! Anyway, it was probably a local thing back when I was about 7. -
kruuyai said on Aug 30, 2007....
ed & wombat: You both have my deepest sympathies, lol
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