I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing: 5 Songs About Coca-Cola

​It's hot outside, folks. We're starting to think the Aztecs were onto something, and if we could find a virgin and a sharp knife we might see if a little human sacrifice would appease the hateful sun god. Until then, we'll have to settle for staying indoors and drinking many tall glasses of fizzy, delicious Coca-Cola.

Rocks Off loves Coca-Cola, and it's not unusual for us to consume an entire two liter bottle over the course of a day. We've grudgingly cut back since too much triggers acid reflux attacks that make Hell seem like a spa day. That's off today, though, as we raise a glass to the memory of Coca-Cola inventor John Pemberton, who died on this day in 1888.

John Pemberton

​Pemberton invented what eventually became America's favorite soda while searching for something to take the edge off of his crippling morphine addiction, a souvenir from being injured in the Civil War. Like a lot of things invented before the FDA, Coca-Cola was advertised as a tonic useful for...

Ladies, and all those whose sedentary employment causes nervous prostration, irregularities of the stomach, bowels and kidneys, who require a nerve tonic and a pure, delightful diffusible stimulant.

Temperance laws in Atlanta led to the eradication of the coca wine ingredient, and a non-alcoholic carbonated version became the drink we love today. For over 100 years people have been enjoying the tasty beverage and such a recognizable cultural icon is definitely going to make its way into a song or two. Here's just a few of the many songs that have name-dropped Pemberton's concoction.

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Advertising jingles can live forever, and if you don't believe us you can walk up to any stranger and sing, "What walks downstairs?" and they'll finish the slinky song for you whether they've ever seen an actual commercial or not. It's hard to top Coca-Cola's jingle, though. Not only was the advertising campaign that utilized it highly successful, the New Seekers turned the jingle into a full-length song that omitted the soda reference and scored a major hit. Hell, Oasis lost a lawsuit over stealing from the tune for their song "Shakermaker." That is one hell of a jingle.

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Yet another hit song utilizing the power of Pemberton's soda water. Mel Tillis didn't pen the tune, but he sang the hell out of it and continues to do so into the present at almost 80-years-old.