Steve Karmen: Personal Life, List of Jingles, Bibliography, and a List of Books by Author Steve Karmen

Search - List of Books by Steve Karmen

Steve Karmen (born January 31, 1937, Bronx, New York) is a composer, most famous for several jingles. Among his better known works are the New York State song, "I Love New York", the jingle Here Comes the King, the Exxon Song (1976), and Wrigley Spearmint Gum / Carry The Big Fresh Flavor (1973). He also composed several music scores for motion pictures during the 1960s, and performed briefly as a Calypso singer, achieving some recognition in Trinidad during that time.

Steve was unique among jingle writers. Unlike other composers, who were paid a flat price for their jingles, Steve was the only one of his peers to receive royalties every time one of his jingles was performed on TV or Radio. His informal industry title "The King of Jingles" may have been given to him because of this extraordinary business ability to retain publishing rights.

He was born into a conservative family. His father was from Russia. Karmen grew up with Bobby Darin, and played with him in a band in the 1950s. They met while they were at the Bronx High School of Science. He played saxophone and guitar.

Karmen is the recipient of 16 Clio Awards.

Personal Life more less

List of Jingles more less

This list of jingles by Karmen only includes those composed from 1968 to the beginning of 1980. (Karmen, 1980).

1968

Breakaway In A Wide-Trackin' Pontiac
Budweiser Beer / Bud Is The King Of Beers...But You Know That
Your Next Car Is A Chrysler
Beneficial Finance / At Beneficial (Doot! Doot!) You're Good For More

1969

Plymouth Makes It
There's Nothing Like The Face Of A Kid Eating A Hershey Bar
Tijuana Smalls [cigarettes] / You Know Who You Are
Nationwide Insurance / Call Nationwide, 'Cause Nationwide Is On Your Side

1970

Chrysler Plymouth Comin' Thru
The More You Know, The More You'll Want Delco
Budweiser Beer / When You Say Budweiser, You've Said It All
Falstaff Brewing Co. / Falstaff Beer, For Guys Who Like It

1971

Budweiser Beer / Here Comes The King
Michelob Beer / The Michelob Drinking Song
National Beer / The Land Of Pleasant Living
Diet Rite Cola / Everybody Likes It
U.S. Brewers Association / Pitch In To Clean Up America
Beneficial Finance / It's Great To Know You're Good For More

1972

General Tires / Sooner Or Later You'll Own Generals
Budweiser Malt Liquor / The First Malt Liquor Good Enough To Be Called Budweiser
Colt .45 Malt Liquor / A Completely Unique Experience
Colt .45 Malt Liquor / You'll Be Sorry For All The Time You Wasted
Fresca / Tastes Like A Soft Drink
R.C. Cola / It's Right For You
Doublemint Gum / Doublemint Will Do It
Hush Puppies Are Dumb

1973

Pontiac / Stand Up
Sunoco Oil Corp. / I Can Be Very Friendly
Juicy Fruit Gum / Let's Pick A Pack
Wrigley's Spearmint Gum / Carry The Big Fresh Flavor

1974

Cadillac - A Standard For The World
Michelin Tires / We Made It First, We Make It Last
Wrigley's Spearmint Gum / You'll Like The Big, Long-Lasting Flavor
Buc-Wheats Cereals / Feelin' Like A Million Bucks
Northwest Orient Airlines / We Give You Half The World
Trans World Airlines / A Taste Of Europe...Trans World Service
Dial Soap / Aren't You Glad You Use Dial
Purina Cat Food / Purina In The Little Blue Can
Scholl's Sandals / The Comfortable Life
Michelob Beer / Weekends Were Made For Michelob

1975

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlors / Farrell's Is Fabulous Fun
Burry's Cookies / The Burry's Blues
The Detroit News / You Haven't Read The Paper Until You've Read The News
Great Adventure Amusement Park (now Six Flags Great Adventure) / The Greatest Day In Your Life

1976

Exxon / Energy For A Strong America
Prestone Anti-Freeze / You Know It Protects
Midas Muffler / Don't Compromise, Midasize
Anheuser Busch Natural Light [beer] / Won't Fill You Up, So It Won't Slow You Down
Budweiser Beer / When You Say Budweiser?
General Foods International Coffees / It's Our Flavor That Makes Us Special
Sunbeam Bread / A Sunwich Is Better Than A Sandwich
Salem Cigarettes / You Can Take Salem Out Of The Country, But...
Southwestern Bell Telephone / What Else Is So Nice For The Price

1977

Anheuser Busch Natural Light [beer] / Take A Natural Break
Michelob Beer / Weekend Pops (instrumental) - based upon "Weekends Were Made For Michelob"
Jack in the Box [restaurants] / Ji-Ji-Jack, Ji-Ji-Jack...Jack In The Box
Tic Tac / It's Time For A Tic Tac
(Hershey Is) The Great American Chocolate Bar
New York State Tourism / I Love New York