The Publix Won’t Grow Up Summer Commercial – The Music, the Float, and More…

Is anyone surprised Publix has done it again? Just in time to celebrate everyone’s (well, everyone who’s normal 🤪) favorite season – summer – Publix has a new commercial and it’s great… or is it? Take a look then scroll down for the name of the song and more info…


The Float. That’s one adorable commercial right there. From the begrudging young freckled child to the last shot of an evening pool party, the commercial has all the elements of summer we enjoy here in the south. But what caught my attention the most is that root beer float.

Might have to get some vegan vanilla and make it happen to celebrate Independence Day. And let’s address the elephant in the root beer room… Everyone knows the best part is drinking the root beer after the ice cream is gone…. Right? Riiiiiiiiiiight?


The Music. The cheery song playing along with the ad is “I Won’t Grow Up” by the Peter Pan Ensemble including Mary Martin, Robert Harrington, Joseph Stafford, and Kathy Nolan. Here’s the full track from the 1989 re-release of Peter Pan, and a live performance, as well.


Where does this fall on your list of favorite Publix commercials? Comment below, and see you tomorrow at 1pm central…

-Out of the Wilderness


Discover more from Out of the Wilderness

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Published by Ben Wilder

Since 2005, I've called Nashville home. I'm the leader of the pack, which includes a 13-year-old beagle and an 11-year-old blue heeler mix. My days include writing, video editing, and other fun activities. Thanks for checking out my blog, I hope you enjoy it!

72 thoughts on “The Publix Won’t Grow Up Summer Commercial – The Music, the Float, and More…

  1. I liked it at first, but it is on soooo often, now I just want to rip my ears off whenever I hear that damn song. Enough already.

    Like

  2. THIS COMMERCIAL IS THE WORST COMMERCIALI HAVE EVER HEARD ITS ENCOURAGING OUR CHOLDREN TO NOT WANT TO GROW UP AND NOT ATREND SCHOOL. DONT WE HAVE ENOUGH CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT WELL EDUCATED. THATS ONE REASON WE HAVE SO MUCH CRIME. TAKE THIS COMERCIAL OFF TV . EVERRY CHILD NEED TO EXPERIENCE SCHOOL AND GROWING UP. YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO BE A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION. WHY WOULD YOU PUT THIS ON TV FOR OUR CHILDREN TO INJEST. KNOW THIS KARMA IS REAL WHAT YOU FEED OTHER PEOPLE CHILDREN YOU WILL BE FACED WITH THE SAME THING. ITS NOT FUNNY OR CUTE VERY ILLERTERATE AND SHAMEFUL. YOU WILL ANSWER TO GOD FOR THIS MESSAGE YOU ARE GIVING OUR CHILDREN. TAKE IT OFF TV NOW.

    Like

    1. Are you serious, Karen? Get over yourself and stop inventing conspiracy and controversy out of nothing! You probably believe Teachers are making children transgender and drag queens are pedophiles. I think you need to use some of your abundance of apparent free time to actually read the Bible and spend some time in prayer. You may not like the commercial, neither do I. But stop being so dramatic about it and move on.. There’s absolutely no undertones to this commercial and sending a message to children to not want to go to school or grow up. I mean seriously… 🙄

      Like

    2. You are nuts! That is the best commercial ever! It’s from Peter Pan and we will grow up. Children need to sing along! I sing it and in can’t Get out of my head serious a lot more commercials are
      Worse!

      Like

    3. YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO RELAX!!! YOU ARE THE REASON WE HAVE ALL THIS VIOLENCE AND HATRED IN THE WORLD. IT’S NOT HURTING ANYONE! STOP WHINING AND GROW UP!!

      Like

    4. Good Grief! The world needs to grasp itself from the view of children at times to reflect on perhaps how god really sees us.

      Like

  3. My husband and I HATE this commercial .
    It is so IRRATATING! Please stop showing it every 5 minutes. We mute the TV every time it comes on.

    Like

    1. I can’t stand that annoying commercial! Gets on your nerves its so long and stupidly sung. Makes you want to smash the tv! Who would think of putting this on every 5 minutes to annoy most people? Give us a break! Something relaxing would be great!

      Like

  4. The best Publix commercial ever. People definitely still live this way, celebrating the joys of summer. I’m not sure why anyone would question the message of simplicity, friendship, and multigenerational joy in cooking, eating, gathering, swimming and laughing.

    Like

  5. The worst Publix commercial that I have ever heard from Publix – mute it every time it comes on – make me want winter to come here quickly so the commercial can go away

    Like

  6. I’m love Publix family commercials but this one grates in me. I’m sorry but it is too long and the voice is like nails on a chalkboard.

    I hope this ad has a short shelf life! I can only imagine how expensive the airtime was for this ad.

    Can we be done already? I too mute my remote every time and honestly, I haven’t watched the ad in it’s entirety because of the music.

    Like

  7. It is very irritating! I usually love Publix commercials but not this one. It is played way to many times!

    Like

  8. My wife starts dancing and singing when it comes on. She says it reminds her of her childhood day . It makes her feel like a kid again. She’s 75.

    Like

  9. ENOUGH! Runs way too long –and actually Sucks. Families don’t act like anymore

    Let’s go Krogering! Or Walmarting (God Fotbid). Done with Publix!!!!

    Like

    1. That’s the dumbest response ever. Just turn it off if it’s so bad for. I love the playfulness. To bad so many people have gotten so crabby.

      Like

  10. Probably my favorite Publix commercial! As Ashley Montegue said, “the trick of life is to die young, as late in life as possible”. So this commercial suits this Septegenarian!

    Like

    1. My husband and I mute this awful commercial. It’s so representative of the youth now. Spoiled, entitled kids that don’t want to grow up. Nauseating!!

      Like

  11. Publix, don’t get discouraged over any negative comments about the new summer commercial. It is perfect!! If only more companies would send positive messages of family and fun and love for each other. None can compare to Publix’s commercials—ever! Thank you for supporting the family.

    Like

  12. I Love this commercial. The children singing and all the photos make me smile. all the haters must honestly have issues. The world needs more Happiness as this Commercial Shows and i Wish I hadn’t grown up into a Place of miserable People these days. Publix I have Loved all your commercials, “THIS ONES THE BEST!!!!” love your Holiday commercial as well. There was one a few years back I loved as well and Touched My Heart. I wish i could see it again. Thank you Piblix for the sweet Commercial and Your Great Store.

    Like

  13. Thank you Publix for not pretending to be politically correct. My wife and I love this song… went searching for the lyrics because we try and sing this everyday. All of the Publix commercials have been very family friendly… we can’t figure out where all the negative comments are coming from. Life is delicious!

    Like

  14. The music on this commercial is AWFUL. The worst I’ve heard from Publix. It’s too bad because I usually like their commercials. BAD IDEA,

    Like

    1. I absolutely HATE the song in this commercial. The only people who want to hear children sing are their parents and grandparents. And to top it off this annoying song sticks in my brain and pops up in there all day long

      Like

      1. The lead singer is Mary Martin, a grown woman, (and mother of actor Larry Hagman) who played Peter Pan on Broadway, accompanied by the original show cast.

        Like

      1. Yes, that is all we need in our society is more Childish, Irresponsible people.

        Like

  15. This Publix commercial is like nails on a chalkboard, it is extremely annoying and it’s constantly on!

    Like

    1. I agree! My wife and I love this little jingle from Peter Pan, the broadway play. It’s interesting all the critics come out and hate this… “damaging to children, reinforcing wrong eating habits”. GET A LIFE! I think all the negativity are coming from the ones who really don’t enjoy life. THANKS PUBLIX!

      Like

    2. This commercial is a huge winner. Congratulations to Publix advertising company great job wish I had thought of it

      Like

  16. I have always loved Publix commercials, but I can’t stand this one. The song is so extremely annoying, and the commercial
    Itself is not as good as most of their commercials.

    Like

  17. I love this commercial. I want my sister to hear it. Unfortunately she lives in an area where there is a Publix. Great commercial.

    Like

  18. Love this. I saw mary Martin play Peter Pan on broadway many years ago at 5, now I’m 72 n still remember it.

    Like

  19. I absolutely “Love” this new Publix commercial. Just watching the scenes and the people especially the women playing dominos is really funny. Takes me back to simpler times. Thank you Publix!!!

    Like

    1. You’re running this commercial way too many times. It is very irritating. Makes me want to go shop at Kroger

      Like

  20. Genius! I look forward to seeing this ad, and it brings back memories of my childhood. All very positive memories, and it comes at a great time in this country.

    Like

  21. Outstanding! Song makes me smile every time, and the images are wonderful, too.
    Off to Publix, again, today. . .

    Like

  22. Great commercial! All the kids love it and want to sing along. They are gravitated to it.
    Ignore the negative nellies. Great timing. Look forward to the next fun commercial.

    Like

  23. I don’t like it. The song is annoying and I turn it down or change channels when it comes on. Not up to Publix standard.

    Like

    1. This ad is unlike any of Publix previous wonderful advertisements. It actually is an outstanding example of the encouragement and promotion of unhealthy, negative attitudes for children to see. As a former elementary education teacher and an art therapist, I find it to be an encouragement of negativity in children towards receiving good educations and growing up to be caring and responsible adults.

      Like

  24. I can’t stand it !! I hit mute as fast as I can .
    Wrong message Publix !!
    Repetitive and annoying !🤨

    Like

  25. Absolutely wonderful! Takes me back to warm summer nights, catching fire flies, drinking a float and watching Mary Martin play Peter Pan.

    Like

  26. I love this commercial! I grew up in this era or Peter Pan and Mary Martin and this music brings me back to summer fun! It has a melody 🎶 and lyrics that stick in your brain. How could you not sing along and want to be one of those kids? Thank you Publix for bringing back wonderful memories – and creating new ones!

    Like

    1. Is that Mary Martins voice in the commercial? I was thinking it’s a remake of someone elses voice.

      Like

  27. Absolutely the worst Publix commercial. I mute it everytime. Its so obnoxious and never-ending.

    Like

Leave a comment

Discover more from Out of the Wilderness

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading