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Sweet Disposition
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| "Sweet Disposition" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by the Temper Trap | ||||
| from the album Conditions | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 16 September 2008 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock | |||
| Length | 3:52 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Jim Abbiss | |||
| The Temper Trap singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Sweet Disposition" on YouTube | ||||
"Sweet Disposition" is a song by Australian indie rock[1] band the Temper Trap. Described by critics as an "indie anthem",[2] the song was written by Dougy Mandagi and Lorenzo Sillitto. "Sweet Disposition" peaked at number 14 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Outside Australia, "Sweet Disposition" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Renewed interest in the song was generated after it was included in the soundtrack for the 2009 film 500 Days of Summer — eventually peaking at number nine on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States. In 2025 the song was voted 11th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.[3]
Chart performance and sales
[edit]Despite the Temper Trap originating from Australia, "Sweet Disposition", the lead single from the debut album Conditions, proved to be more popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland, reaching No. 6 (in the week beginning 11 October 2009) and No. 8, respectively, while it only reached a peak of No. 14 in Australia. However, it was eventually certified 3× Platinum in Australia for sales exceeding 210,000 copies, becoming the band's highest-selling single in their home country.
The song reached No. 9 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart due to interest in the song after it appeared in the film 500 Days of Summer. In 2014, it was featured in the action film 3 Days to Kill starring Kevin Costner. In 2023, it was used in promotional trailers for the final instalment of The Crown. A dance remix made by Axwell and Dirty South of this song reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart in April 2010. It received a Platinum certification from the RIAA in 2013 for more than 1,000,000 copies sold.
The single was certified Gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry[4] and 3× Platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry.[5]
Music videos
[edit]There are three music videos for the song. The Australian/domestic version, directed by Madeline Griffith, features the band performing alongside slow motion footage of light bulbs smashing on the floor.
The UK/international version directed by Barnaby Roper, begins with a gradual descent towards the lights on a runway before featuring a girl roller blading through space, past transparent images of each band member. That version was also played in Australia following the song's increase in popularity in 2010.
The US version, directed by Daniel Eskils, was released in March 2010. This version displays the band members playing around with musical instruments as well as demolishing them, this all being taped with a high-speed camera.
Track listings
[edit]|
Australian digital download[6]
Australian CD single[7]
Australian 12-inch single[8]
|
UK 7-inch picture disc single[9]
Lost Frequencies remix[10]
|
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[43] | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[44] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] | 4× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[46] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16 September 2008 | Digital download | Liberation | [47] |
| 22 October 2008 | 12-inch vinyl | [48] | ||
| 26 January 2009 | CD single | [49] | ||
| United States | 14 July 2009 | Digital download | Glassnote | [50] |
| United Kingdom | 2 August 2009 | Infectious | [51] | |
| 3 August 2009 | 7-inch vinyl | [52] | ||
| United States | 31 August 2009 | Alternative radio |
|
[53] |
| United Kingdom | 11 October 2009 | Digital download (remixes) | Infectious | [54] |
| United States | 24 August 2010 | Digital download (remixes) | Glassnote | [55] |
| Worldwide | 30 May 2025 | Lost Frequencies remix | Lost & Cie | [10] |
In popular culture
[edit]Film
[edit]- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2009 romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer.[56]
- The song was featured on the soundtrack and played during the ending scene for the 2014 action thriller film, 3 Days to Kill.[57]
- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2020 romantic film, I Still Believe.[58]
Advertisements
[edit]- The song was used in the 2009 "Memories Start Here" advert for Center Parcs.[59]
- The song was used in a 2009 Sky Sports advert featuring Jose Mourinho.[60]
- The song was used in a 2009 of Network 10 AFL Finals Series advert.
- The song was used in a 2009 O2 advert.[61]
- The song was used in a 2010 Indonesian advert promoting the Toyota Yaris.[62]
- The song was used in a long-form commercial for Chrysler released in 2010.[63]
- The song was used in a commercial for Diet Coke that reportedly aired on the 2010 Academy Awards.[64]
- Coca-Cola Company used the song again for its Coke Zero drink in 2025.[65]
- The song was used in a 2010 commercial for Rhapsody Music service.[66]
- A cover of the song was used in a 2024 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER hybrid electric vehicle ad.[67]
Video Games
[edit]- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 video game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.[68]
Other
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The Temper Trap Ponder Album No. 2". Clash. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^ "16 Albums you need to listen to in June". Harper's Bazaar. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Countdown #1 to #100 - Hottest 100 Australian Songs". triple j. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Certificazioni Download FIMI" (PDF) (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Sweet Disposition – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Sweet Disposition (Australian CD single liner notes). Liberation Music. 2008. LMCD0023.
- ^ Sweet Disposition (Australian 12-inch single liner notes). Liberation Music. 2008. LMLP0023.
- ^ Sweet Disposition (UK 7-inch picture disc sleeve). Liberation Music, Infectious Records. 2009. INFECT103S.
- ^ a b Freddy Pawle (30 May 2025). "Lost Frequencies Drops Remix of the Temper Trap's vSweet Disposition". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in French). Ultratip.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweet Disposition". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Earone Airplay - Settimana #8 dal 19/02/2010 al 25/02/2010" (in Italian). Earone. 8 January 2010.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 51, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 17/10/2009 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Temper Trap Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart on 10/10/2009 – Top 50". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (A Moment, A Love)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (A Moment, A Love)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Macedonia – Radio Airplay Chart | Settimana 33.2025 – dal 08/08/2025 al 14/08/2025" [Macedonia – Radio Airplay Chart | Week 33.2025 – 08/08/2025 to 14/08/2025] (in Italian). Radiomonitor. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Australian Singles for 2009". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2009". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2010". ARIA. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Australian Singles for 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2010" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ "Earone Top 100 of the year 2010" (in Italian). Earone. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011.
- ^ "Year 2010-Top 100 Annual Download Chart". Nielsen. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2025" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 2025" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Annual Chart: 2025". TopHit. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Radioscope. Retrieved 23 January 2026. Type Sweet Disposition in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ "iTunes Top 300 Songs (Australia)" (XML). Apple Inc. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original (XML) on 2 April 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
133. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap [...] Sweet Disposition - Single [...] Release Date: Sep 16, 2008 [...] 2008 Liberation Music
- ^ "Sweet Disposition 12" (Signed Copy) - Temper Trap, The". JB Hi-Fi. 22 October 2008. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "New Releases Singles - Week Commencing 26th January 2009" (PDF). The ARIA Report. No. 987. Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 January 2009. p. 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Sweet Disposition: MP3 Downloads: The Temper Trap". Amazon.com. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sweet Disposition: The Temper Trap: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. 2 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sweet Disposition [7" VINYL]: Temper Trap: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 3 August 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Modern Rock - Airplay Archive". FMQB. Archived from the original on 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sweet Disposition - Single by The Temper Trap". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 11 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sweet Disposition - EP by The Temper Trap". iTunes Store (United States). 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Walmsley, Sophia (15 August 2021). "10 Best Songs In (500) Days Of Summer". Screen Rant. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "3 Days to Kill (2014): Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "I Still Believe Soundtrack". Tunefind. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Center Parcs – Memories Start Here". TV Advert Music. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Jose: Football on Sky Sports - It's special". YouTube. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "O2 Treats ad Temper Trap". YouTube. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Toyota Yaris Indonesia Commercial - Sweet Disposition". YouTube. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Chrysler Commercial". 5 January 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Diet Coke Commercial". 7 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Coke refreshes 'Share a Coke' to reach Gen Z with digital experiences | Food Dive".
- ^ "Rhapsody Commercial". 14 December 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER. Retrieved 21 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ PES 2011 Soundtrack, July 2014, retrieved 7 April 2022
- ^ "John Cena receives a heartfelt farewell from Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Triple H and more". 11 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025 – via YouTube.
Sweet Disposition
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Development
The Temper Trap formed in 2005 in Melbourne, Australia, with Dougy Mandagi on vocals and guitar, Toby Dundas on drums, and Jonathon Aherne on bass, marking the beginning of their collaborative songwriting efforts in the local indie rock scene.[1] During these initial sessions, "Sweet Disposition" emerged as one of the band's earliest compositions, capturing the raw energy of their creative development. The track was primarily written by Mandagi, who handled the vocals and lyrics, and guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto, who contributed to the riff development.[2] Mandagi drew from personal reflections on his childhood experiences, including the loss of his father in a plane crash at age six and subsequent feelings of loneliness from frequent relocations across Indonesia, Hawaii, and Bali, which instilled a sense of emotional vulnerability that permeates the song's themes of innocence and introspection.[3] The lyrics, already prepared by Mandagi, explore youthful abandon and fleeting moments of connection, aligning with the band's aim to evoke emotional depth in their music. Sillitto introduced the iconic opening guitar riff during a rehearsal, prompting Mandagi to sing over it immediately, resulting in an instant creative synergy.[2] This session highlighted the post-punk influences shaping their sound, though the exact evolution of the riff remained organic to the band's experimentation. An initial demo of "Sweet Disposition" was recorded that same day in 2007, closely resembling the final version and serving as a cornerstone of their early repertoire.[2] The band chose to feature it as the opening track on their 2008 debut album Conditions, positioning it to encapsulate the youthful introspection central to their artistic identity and setting the tone for the record's exploration of personal and emotional landscapes.[4]Production
"Sweet Disposition" was initially recorded in Australia for its release as the lead single in October 2008. The track was later re-recorded in London with producer Jim Abbiss, who had previously worked with artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Adele. This re-recorded version appeared on the band's debut album Conditions, released in September 2008 in Australia and internationally in 2009, and was re-issued as the single in June 2009.[2] The production emphasized the song's anthemic build-up, with echoing guitars and soaring vocals, enhancing its emotional resonance.[5]Composition
Musical elements
"Sweet Disposition" is composed in the key of D major and maintains a tempo of 129 beats per minute.[6][7] The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure, incorporating pre-choruses that heighten tension and a climactic bridge that intensifies the emotional arc before resolving into the final chorus.[8] The track opens with an arpeggiated guitar riff played by Lorenzo Sillitto, layered with delay effects to create an expansive, echoing atmosphere, as described by band members in interviews detailing the song's development.[2] This riff is supported by driving drums from Toby Dundas and a steady bass line from Jonathon Aherne, forming the rhythmic backbone that propels the indie rock energy. Central to the arrangement are the soaring falsetto vocals of lead singer Dougy Mandagi, which serve as the primary hook, particularly in the choruses where they rise dramatically. The song's stylistic influences draw from post-punk and indie rock traditions, evident in the U2-inspired delay on the guitars that contributes to a sense of grandeur and spaciousness. This reverb-heavy production evokes a "cathedral-like" quality, enhancing the track's anthemic feel without overpowering the raw instrumentation. The overall length is 3:52, featuring dynamic shifts from the intimate, riff-driven verses to explosive choruses that build layers of sound for emotional release.[9]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of "Sweet Disposition" commence with the lines "A moment, a love / A dream, aloud / A kiss, a cry / Our rights, our wrongs," evoking transient emotional highs and lows in a stream-of-consciousness style.[4] As the song unfolds, it shifts to introspective verses contemplating the erosion of innocence and the inexorable march of time, exemplified by "So stay there / 'Cause I'll be comin' around / And while our blood's still young / It's so young, it runs / Won't stop 'til it's over / Won't stop to surrender." The recurring refrain "Sweet disposition" anchors the composition, symbolizing an innate, resilient positivity that persists through upheaval.[4] At its core, the song delves into themes of ephemeral youth, emotional fortitude, and the dissonance between nostalgic ideals and mature disillusionment, fostering a sense of self-discovery amid life's flux. Lead singer and lyricist Dougy Mandagi has characterized the words as capturing a "visceral kind of melancholic-but-also-kind-of-hopeful feeling," drawn from the raw energy of the track's creation rather than a specific narrative.[10] Though frequently embraced as an anthem for young love—owing to its placement in the romantic film (500) Days of Summer—Mandagi insists "It’s not even a love song," underscoring its abstract meditation on human temperament and fleeting joy.[10][11] Mandagi's abstract, metaphorical lyricism avoids linear storytelling, instead layering imagery that invites diverse personal resonances, with the titular phrase's repetition emphasizing unyielding optimism as a counterpoint to transience. The lyrics were developed quickly alongside the music during the band's time in London, the night before Mandagi's return home to Australia, allowing listeners to imprint their own interpretations.[10] Mandagi's soaring falsetto delivery amplifies the lyrics' wistful introspection, blending vulnerability with anthemic uplift.[12]Release
Single formats
"Sweet Disposition" was initially released in Australia in 2008 by Liberation Music as both a CD single (LMCD0023) and a 12" vinyl single (LMLP0023), featuring the album version alongside remixes of the track and B-sides including "Science of Fear."[13] Internationally, the single appeared in multiple formats, including a 7" picture disc vinyl in the UK in 2009 via Infectious Records (INFECT103S), with the B-side track "Little Boy" and limited signed copies for the first 150 pressings.[14] Digital releases were issued through Infectious Records starting in 2009, often as MP3 bundles containing the standard album edit (3:52 duration) paired with album tracks or select remixes, such as the 2×File EP (INFECT103DA) for UK and Europe.[15] In Europe, a limited-edition CD maxi-single was released in Italy in 2009 by TIME (TIME 569 CDM), compiling the original track with additional remixes and extended versions aimed at club play, running up to 4:04 in length.[15] For the US market, Glassnote Records distributed the single primarily in digital formats and promotional CDr editions in 2010, including remixes tailored for radio and club use.[15] Track listings across formats typically centered on the album edit, with variations incorporating remixes by artists like Cagedbaby, Evil Nine, and later contributors such as Thomas Datt; no major alternate edits beyond these remixes were produced for the initial singles.[15]Promotion and release dates
"Sweet Disposition" debuted in Australia on September 16, 2008, marking the lead single from The Temper Trap's debut album Conditions. The release was promoted through extensive radio play on Triple J, Australia's national youth broadcaster, which helped build early buzz among indie music listeners. Additionally, the band performed live sets at major festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, where the song's anthemic energy resonated with festival crowds and amplified its grassroots appeal.[16][17][18] The song's international rollout began in the UK and Europe in July 2009, with the physical single released on August 3, 2009, aligned with the album's launch via Infectious Records. Promotion featured prime-time airplay on BBC Radio 1, which introduced the track to a broader audience. This timing capitalized on the growing European interest in Australian acts, positioning "Sweet Disposition" as a key track for summer playlists and live shows.[19][20][14] In the US, promotion included high-profile performances at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March 2009, where the song garnered industry attention, building anticipation ahead of the album's Glassnote Records release on October 13, 2009. Expansion continued to Canada and Japan later that year, with targeted radio and digital pushes to tap into North American and Asian markets.[18][21] Overall marketing strategies emphasized accessibility and viral potential, including free downloads offered during the band's early international tours to encourage fan sharing. The song's music video, released in mid-2009, served as a key tie-in, with its visually striking narrative boosting online engagement. Endorsements from tastemaking outlets like Pitchfork further validated its indie anthem status, driving organic promotion through blog features and playlist inclusions. Various single formats, such as digital downloads and promotional CDs, were leveraged to support these efforts.[5][22]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Sweet Disposition" achieved varying degrees of commercial success on music charts worldwide, with particular strength in alternative rock formats in the United States and the United Kingdom, where it resonated with radio audiences and gained traction through film soundtracks and streaming. The song did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 but performed well on genre-specific charts, reflecting its appeal to indie and alternative listeners. In Europe and Australia, it saw moderate peaks on national singles charts, entering several top 40 lists but not always sustaining high positions. In 2025, renewed interest led to a re-entry on the ARIA Singles Chart, peaking at number 14, and the song ranked number 11 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.[23][24] The following table summarizes the song's peak positions on selected weekly charts:| Chart | Peak position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 9 | 2010 |
| UK Singles Chart (OCC) | 6 | 2009 [19] |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 14 | 2009 [25] |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 6 | 2009 [26] |
| Irish Singles Chart (IRMA) | 8 | 2009 [27] |
| Dutch Singles Chart (Dutchcharts) | 54 | 2009 [28] |
| US Heatseekers Songs (Billboard) | 18 | 2010 [29] |
