The $500 Secret: 10 Iconic Commercial Jingles Barry Manilow Wrote That Defined American Advertising

Barry Manilow’s career is defined by chart-topping hits like "Copacabana," "Mandy," and "Could It Be Magic," yet the pop superstar’s most enduring and financially impactful compositions are arguably the short, snappy tunes he wrote for television commercials. These catchy melodies, crafted in the late 1960s and early 1970s before his solo career exploded, have become a permanent, multi-generational fixture in American culture, often outliving the original campaigns they were written for. As of today, these jingles continue to run, cementing his legacy not just as a singer, but as one of the most successful, albeit uncredited, commercial composers in history.

The fascinating story behind these musical earworms is a deep dive into the business of advertising, where a small, flat fee paid decades ago has translated into billions of dollars in brand recognition. From insurance giants to fast-food chains, Manilow’s early work laid the foundation for his own future success while creating the soundtrack for millions of consumers’ lives. This is the definitive list of the most iconic jingles written by the man who truly wrote the songs that made the whole world sing—and shop.

The Composer Behind the Catchphrases: Barry Manilow's Commercial Jingle Portfolio

Before his breakthrough as a recording artist, Barry Manilow—born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn, New York—was a commercial composer and arranger working in the high-pressure world of New York City advertising. His talent for crafting a powerful, memorable tune in under 60 seconds was unparalleled, a skill honed while working for major Madison Avenue agencies. He often jokes that his biggest hits are the jingles, not his records, a testament to their incredible longevity and cultural penetration. His work in the advertising industry is a crucial chapter in his biography, shaping his musical sensibility and providing the financial stability needed to launch his pop career.

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Here is a list of the most famous and impactful commercial jingles Manilow composed or arranged:

• State Farm: "Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There" (1971)
• Band-Aid: "Stuck on Band-Aid, 'Cause Band-Aid's Stuck on Me" (1970s)
• McDonald's: "You Deserve a Break Today" (Arrangement/Performance, early 1970s)
• KFC: "Grab a Bucket of Chicken" (1980s)
• Pepsi: "Feelin' Free" (1970s)
• Stridex: "Give Your Face Something to Smile About" (1970s)
• Dodge: "The Dodge Song" (His first paid jingle)
• Dr Pepper: "It's a Manilow World" (A later, self-referential campaign)
• Rite-Aid: A jingle written for the pharmacy chain.

The Shocking Financial Reality: $500 for a Forever Jingle

The story of the State Farm jingle is the most legendary and financially sobering tale of Manilow’s early career, and it highlights the vast difference between commercial composition and songwriting residuals. The tune, "Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There," is one of the most recognizable pieces of music in American advertising history and is still in use today, over five decades later.

The shocking detail, which Manilow has openly discussed in interviews, is that he was paid a flat fee of just $500 for writing and performing the jingle. This was a standard practice in the advertising industry at the time; composers would sell the rights outright to the advertising agency and the client, receiving no further residuals or royalties, regardless of how long the campaign ran.

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Manilow’s composition, created in 1971, has generated billions in revenue and brand equity for State Farm Insurance. The jingle’s success is a perfect example of a powerful, sticky musical identity. Despite the massive, ongoing success, Manilow has confirmed he receives zero royalties from the jingle, stating, "You don't get residuals if you write it, so they just buy it." He has expressed that he is not bitter, as the work allowed him to save money to pursue his dream of becoming a pop star, a move that ultimately paid off handsomely.

The Anatomy of a Hit Jingle: State Farm, Band-Aid, and McDonald's

Manilow’s jingles were successful because they followed a specific, highly effective formula: simple, memorable melodies paired with direct, benefit-driven lyrics. This approach created instant recall, a vital component of successful advertising in the 1970s.

The Band-Aid Breakthrough

The "Stuck on Band-Aid, 'Cause Band-Aid's Stuck on Me" jingle is another masterpiece of brevity and catchiness. It was written by Manilow for the Johnson & Johnson brand, with lyrics by Donald B. Wood. This jingle’s success was so profound that it earned the advertising agency, Young & Rubicam, a prestigious CLIO Award in 1976, one of the advertising industry’s highest honors. The tune perfectly encapsulated the product’s main selling point—adhesion—in a sing-song manner that appealed directly to mothers and children.

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The McDonald's Debate: Arrangement vs. Composition

One of the biggest jingles Manilow is often credited with is "You Deserve a Break Today" for McDonald's. While the core melody and concept were created by others, Manilow's role was crucial: he was the arranger and performer of the version that became the iconic, granddaddy of all McDonald's jingles. His musical touch gave the campaign its distinctive, lush, and memorable sound, making it one of the most iconic jingles in advertising history and a cornerstone of the fast-food giant’s marketing strategy.

Manilow’s Ongoing Influence and Modern Financial Context

Manilow’s work in the advertising industry is not just a historical footnote; it is a key reason he was recognized by the advertising world with an honorary Clio Award in 2009. His compositions are studied by students of marketing and music alike for their structural perfection and enduring appeal. The jingles demonstrate the power of musical branding, a concept that remains highly relevant in modern digital advertising.

Furthermore, Manilow’s relationship with the business of his music has continued to evolve. In a major, modern financial transaction, the singer struck a deal with Hipgnosis Songs Fund in 2020. Hipgnosis, a major player in the music rights acquisition market, acquired 100% of Manilow’s worldwide income from his song catalog (excluding SoundExchange royalties), a deal valued at approximately $1.5 million. This move, common among classic artists, highlights the immense, long-term value of a proven catalog of hits—even if the early commercial jingles themselves were sold for a pittance.

Ultimately, the story of Barry Manilow and his commercial jingles is a powerful lesson in the music business. A young composer, working out of a small office in the 1960s, created short bursts of melody that would become some of the most enduring brand identities in the world. The $500 he received for the State Farm jingle may seem like a pittance today, but the creative capital and industry experience he gained were priceless, paving the way for a legendary career that continues to resonate with millions of "Fanilows" and consumers worldwide.