Celebrating 70 Years of the Iconic Roto-Rooter Jingle
We believe the Roto-Rooter jingle is the oldest, continuously used advertising jingle in America. It was written and performed for the first time in 1954 as a live commercial on WLS Radio in Chicago. It was performed by Captain Stubby and The Buccaneers, a popular comedy band of the time.
Celebrating 70 Years of the Iconic Roto-Rooter Jingle
Why has the Roto-Rooter Jingle Lasted So Long?
Catchiness & Adaptability Endure
An ear worm, also known as “stuck tune syndrome,” is a catchy song or tune that runs continually through a person’s mind. A good ad jingle is an ear worm, and most would agree the Roto-Rooter jingle fits the definition. Another reason our jingle has endured is that it perfectly describes the way the Roto-Rooter machine clears clogs and cleans sewers and drainpipes.
Over the years, there have been many incarnations of the jingle, including country versions, R&B versions, pop, and even a version used at the end of our 2024 Halloween commercial that sounds like Count Dracula himself sang it. Be sure to check it out – he's scary good!
Tracing the Tune to Fame
For most of its history, the shortened version of the jingle has been used at the end of Roto-Rooter’s TV and radio commercials: ♪ Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain. Roto-Rooter. ♫
In its early days, the original longer version of the jingle told the complete story of the Roto-Rooter sewer & drain cleaning process:
Roto-Rooter is quick first aid for clogs, sewers, and stopped-up drains. ♫ The wonderful Roto-Rooter machine twists and turns and shaves lines clean. Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain…Roto-Rooter! ♪
From Features to Iconic Lyrics
In the early 1970s, an additional verse was written to put more emphasis on the service experience and less on the functionality of the Roto-Rooter machine. But it always included the memorable main chorus. ♫ When Roto-Rooter comes, that’s when your troubles go. ♫ When Roto-Rooter’s here, that’s when your troubles disappear. Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain…Roto-Rooter! ♫
Listen to this 2004 NPR story about the Roto-Rooter jingle on the occasion of the jingle’s 50th anniversary.
Modern Interpretations of the Jingle
We Love Our People!
We challenged our treasured employees across the county to record their own takes on our classic Roto-Rooter jingle, and they DID NOT disappoint!