Heard It On TV: The Temper Trap and Diet Coke

Diet Coke has recently revved up the rotation for its mesmerizing commercial, featuring The Temper Trap‘s “Sweet Disposition.” Normally, I ignore all things Diet-related (I’m one of those people that would rather drink no soda at all than putrid Diet), but this one had me yearning for a more fabulous life. Beautiful people! Public art! Pediatric nurses! Red carpet premieres! The commercial debuted during this year’s Academy Awards, so the Hollywood imagery makes sense. And the slogan?

Stay Extraordinary.

I’m typically unimpressed by marketing, but let’s just take a second to appreciate what “Stay Extraodinary” means.

1. You are already extraordinary.

2. Diet Coke doesn’t want you to change; you are perfect, and it loves the way you are.

Am I too flattered by Diet Coke? (Yes, probably.) But just go ahead and watch it for yourself:

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The song, “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap, ain’t too shabby either. You might recall hearing it in (500) Days of Summer, the refreshingly real love story story about love starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. The Temper Trap is a four-piece now hailing from London, but they’re originally from Melbourne, Australia. They released Conditions, their full-length debut, in 2009, and toured extensively in support of the album. The promotion paid off. The band is no stranger to lending its music to television — Temper Trap’s music was also used in a Chrysler commercial and in shows like Chuck and 90210.  The often falsetto voice is courtesy of lead singer Dougy Mandagi, one of the few Indonesian frontmen in mainstream rock today. And Lorenzo Sillitto provides the clean, anthemic U2-inspired guitar.

What do you think of The Temper Trap? Who’s craving a Diet Coke right now? (Not me.) Let us know in the comments.


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Jess G.

Jess is a writer/producer with a knack for audio and online production. She grew up in California and now lives in Washington, DC, where she recently graduated from Georgetown University. Jess' jacket collection is obscenely large, and so is her music library. In her spare time, Jess enjoys riding her bike in the city, blogging, writing songs, and eating good food.

Jess has written 44 articles for us.

14 Comments

  1. Mariam, you could not say it better. “Sweet Disposition” will always be Emily looking Naomi’s childhood pictures with the cutest smile ever. And yes topless in panties. Diet coke my foot.

  2. I had the pleasure of seeing the Temper Trap perform live in Vancouver back in June. Believe me when I say that they are EXCELLENT live. They will not disappoint. “Sweet Disposition” has the tendency to make me cry spontaneously out of sheer joy, and even at the live show, that happened. Great band, great song, great show. Highly recommend. I concur though: topless emily in naomi’s livingroom, yes.

    As for the diet Coke: aspartame is scary.

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