How “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” Became One of America’s Most Iconic Moments

Few commercial jingles have imprinted themselves on American culture as deeply as “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup.” Since its debut in the 1980s, the line has become inseparable from the Folgers^® brand, appearing across decades of advertising, countless musical styles, multiple generations of coffee drinkers, and making its way into pop culture in relevant and impactful ways. 

The Folgers Jingle Gets its Roots
The famous Folgers jingle was first conceived by Susan Solovayof ad agency Cunningham & Walsh, Inc., who wrote the line with a tune already in mind. She drew inspiration from an old rock ’n’ roll song by the Ronettes, “The Best Part of Breaking Up (Is When You’re Making Up).”

Solovay’s lyrics were sent to several jingle houses, where singer-songwriter Leslie Pearl composed the melody that ultimately became the Folgers jingle we’ve come to know and love. Solovay recalled that hearing Pearl’s version “was love at first listen.”

The jingle made its official debut in 1984 with the first “Wakin’ Up” commercial titled “Horse Farm.” The spot paired the new jingle with sun‑drenched mornings, calm and easy wakeups, and the promise of a fresh start – all made possible by Folgers coffee.

This jingle resonated immediately and became the heart of a broader shift in Folgers marketing. Ads began celebrating early-morning optimism and the joy of home-brewed coffee, focusing on the sights, sounds, and aroma of freshly brewed Folgers coffee. And, of course, the signature red can which now featured an iconic mountain and the phrase “Mountain Grown” in shining gold.

A Holiday Tradition is Born
The first spot was followed by a touching Christmas version called “Peter’s Homecoming.” The ad’s holiday nostalgia and emotional resonance made “Peter’s Homecoming” so successful it aired for twenty years – cementing the Folgers jingle as a beloved holiday tradition for listeners and consumers across the nation. 

The Jingle Evolves
The Folgers jingle continued as a centerpiece of the brand’s advertising throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reflecting its growth and creativity:

• It appeared across multiple “slice of life” “Wakin’ Up” spots that highlighted genuine, everyday moments, from farm mornings to family gatherings. 
• The NASCAR era included a Folgers-sponsored No. 25 Chevrolet with the jingle performed by country singer T.G. Sheppard. 
• Innovations in product lines, like Folgers Instant Crystals, Folgers Decaf, and specialty roasts, frequently leveraged the jingle to unify brand identity in a rapidly evolving coffee market. 

By the late 80s, Folgers had become the #1 coffee brand in America, and the jingle was a huge contributor to the brand’s success. 

New Genres & New Voices
The next decade brought new voices to the “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up,” which was recorded in a remarkable range of genres, helping it stay fresh while remaining recognizable. From country to R&B and everything in between, the jingle brought on new life, invigorating Folgers brand love and recognition. Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, Aaron Neville, Rascal Flatts, Randy Travis, KISS star Paul Stanley, and Rockapella all created renditions of the jingle. Rockapella, best known for "Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego?" brought 90s-era pop energy to America's favorite coffee jingle.

A Nostalgic Pop Culture Icon 
In 2022, Folgers launched a bold reinvention of the brand under the unapologetic slogan “Damn Right, It’s Folgers,” confronting long‑held misconceptions and reintroducing the Folgers brand to a new generation. At the heart of the campaign was a collaboration with Trombone Shorty, whose brassy reinterpretation of Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” became the campaign’s defining soundtrack - an intentional choice that served as an anthem that echoed Folgers’ own unapologetic pride and its determination to reclaim a bolder, more confident reputation. Trombone Shorty’s involvement brought authentic New Orleans spirit, mirroring the Folgers brand’s deep roots in the city. Set against historic New Orleans streets, the ad blends Trombone Shorty’s unmistakable energy with glimpses of our Folgers plant, culminating in a proud reminder: “Proudly toasted, roasted in our hometown of New Orleans.”

In 2023, digital creator Elyse Myers reignited love for the iconic Folgers jingle when she posted a viral a cappella rendition of the 1990s Rockapella version. Her performance, shared organically to her combined 10 million-plus followers, tapped directly into the warm nostalgia many fans associated with seeing the original ads on TV. In her caption, she explained she had “wanted to learn this jingle ever since I heard the Rockapellas sing it on TV in the 90s,” sparking an outpouring of enthusiasm from viewers who tagged the brand and swapped memories of the original commercials.

Elyse’s video didn’t just celebrate a beloved musical moment; it also became part of a broader wave of social media driven brand love. 

For more than four decades, “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” has been more than a jingle. It’s been a shared cultural moment that greeted millions of mornings. And as our beloved Folgers brand unveils a fresh take on this beloved classic, the spirit remains the same: honoring the jingle tradition while embracing a new era of coffee-inspired optimism.