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. i like the song and tis a pretty sweet video. i dig the nurse part most of all (pursuing a nursing degree, myself). :) i’m currently drinking a diet coke with lime. i’m addicted to them!

  2. I love The Temper Trap! Conditions is an amazing record. I’m so glad 4 them, they R picked up 4 this commercial! rock on guys.

    I did and I will do diet coke!

  3. This song is what my iHome wakes me up to every morning :)
    So beautiful..

    Regardless, Diet Coke is icky.

  4. I’m drinking a regular coke right now, which is rare since I normally don’t do caffeine. Commercials don’t really work on me, especially now- I’m literally doing my marketing homework as we speak.

  5. love the temper trap, not so much a fan of soda in general. actually i think it tastes really good but try to avoid it in general and tell myself i don’t like it.

  6. Diet Coke is like my version of water. But I love The Temper Trap. Have since I saw them at SXSW last year. I feel like this commercial is a bit late on their hype wagon though.

  8. I am going to be a negative Nelly here and say that I hate Diet everything and that that song makes me furrow my brows in a not-good way.

  9. Naomily for the win.
    Every single time this song comes on…
    Fuck Diet Coke. Sweet disposition is Emily walking around Naomi’s living room topless.

  10. 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.

  11. This commercial combines two of my favourite things – Australian music and aspartame – and so I’m a little sad that it’s not airing in my country.

  13. 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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