The 10 Most Shared Don’t mess with Texas^® Commercials (Official Ranking)

Don’t mess with Texas has been a rally cry for people around the state since 1986. This is thanks, in part, to this campaign’s innovative commercials and the Texas celebrities who made them possible. If you’re a Texan or have spent time in the state, you probably have a personal favorite commercial from this campaign. But the thing is, there’s a difference between a PSA that’s on a lot of people’s favorite lists and one that people feel strongly enough about to share on social media.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the commercials that have been most shared and requested on our official Don’t mess with Texas social channels.

10. Matthew McConaughey’s Litter Wrangler

This one is probably a little more infamous than memorable because of its controversy. When this commercial was produced in 2000, the television networks deemed it “too violent” to be shown on prime-time TV. If you were old enough, you probably remember Matthew and his blow dart playing before most R-rated movies in Texas. Eventually, the ad got some play on the small screen, but only on late-night shows.

9. Commemorative Air Force

The spot that featured a classic B-17 chasing down litterbugs is one of the most talked about commercials associated with the Don’t mess with Texas program. The beautifully restored plane and the skilled pilot provided by the Texas Commemorative Air Force (originally the Texas Confederate Air Force) made a lasting impression on the viewer. So much so that, in 2011, this was voted the favorite Don’t mess with Texas commercial by the public. Of course, due to the original name of the Air Force used in the ad, this spot has lost some of the popularity it had when it first aired. That said, if you were a child of the ‘90s, you’ll probably still be looking out for that B-17 on your tail when you’re out on Texas roads.

8. The Talking Longhorn

Another favorite of ’90s kids all over the state; from the cowboy song at the beginning to the official Texas state animals (longhorns and armadillos), this commercial is pure Texas. Add the popular talking animal movie “Babe” reference at the end, and you’ve got an iconic commercial that both adults and kids loved and still remember fondly.

7. Lyle Lovett

Lyle is one of the favorites of the first-generation Don’t mess with the Texas crowd, and we can certainly see why. This bluesy “Don’t mess with Texas” song is simple, catchy and undeniably Texan. The earliest commercials for the program were focused on Texas musicians putting an anti-litter message to great music. With a down-to-earth, unpretentious charm, Lyle Lovett fits the bill of a Texas musician to a tee.

6. Dallas Cowboys

In 1987, Randy White and Too Tall Jones of the Dallas Cowboys were the first athletes to star in a Don’t mess with Texas commercial. Seeing two prominent, defensive football players on the roadside picking up trash made people pay attention. And, of course, when Randy White says he has a ‘personal message’ to deliver to litterers (while crushing a beer can), a shiver runs down the spine of Texans everywhere. After seeing this commercial, it was clear, NO ONE wanted to mess with Texas. 

5. LeAnn Rimes

In 1998, LeAnn Rimes returned Don’t mess with Texas to its musical roots. With her reimagined, litter-free version of her classic song “Blue,” LeAnn used her sweetness to gently shame potential litter bugs stating that seeing litter in Texas makes her “blue.” After all, who wants to be responsible for putting “big teardrops” in the eyes of America’s country western sweetheart? 

4. Stevie Ray Vaughn

This commercial started it all, so it’s no surprise that it appears on our most shared list. The voiceover warning you that “messing with Texas isn’t just an insult to the Lone Star state, it’s a crime” set over Vaughn’s electric guitar version of “The Eyes of Texas are Upon You” instantly sent shock waves. Soon, this no-nonsense, hard-hitting campaign would become a state staple. And to think, if the older folks had their way, this commercial might never have been seen.

3. George Strait

By 2010, Don’t mess with Texas had become a rallying cry nationwide. That said, according to a study by TxDOT in the late 90s, over 80% of Texans were familiar with the phrase but only 60% knew it referred to not littering along Texas roads. In 2009, TxDOT launched a new campaign to wrangle the phrase back to its original roots. In 2010, this George Strait commercial cleared away all the pizzazz, glitter and distraction to simply remind people that “Don’t mess with Texas means don’t litter.” The fact that this whole slogan is still used in Don’t mess with Texas TV and radio spots proves its effectiveness. 

2. Mike Scott

To be fair, the shares from Mike Scott’s “Trash Ball” commercial might have had something to do with the Houston Astros in the World Series. That said, there’s no denying that the fast pitch and exploding barrel make for a truly memorable commercial. We know after this that the new Texas sport “Trash Ball” took hold in a big way.

1. Willie Nelson

No one epitomizes cowboys, country music or Texas quite like Willie Nelson. That is likely why this simple spot in which Willie tells “mammas” to tell all their babies “Don’t mess with Texas” has the most shares and mentions across all our official social media platforms. From the west Texas setting to the unpretentious single-shot filming, this commercial clearly and simply embodies the heart of the campaign that teaches us that Don’t mess with Texas means don’t litter.

Well, there you have it. The top 10 most shared and requested commercials according to our official social media platforms. Did your favorite make the list? What’s the one Don’t mess with Texas commercial you’ll never forget? Let us know in the comments!