Sweet Disposition
2008 single by the Temper Trap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"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]
| "Sweet Disposition" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by the Temper Trap | ||||
| from the album Conditions | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | 16 September 2008 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock | |||
| Length | 3:52 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Jim Abbiss | |||
| The Temper Trap singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Sweet Disposition" on YouTube | ||||
Chart performance and sales
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
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
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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
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[44] | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[45] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] | 5× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[47] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16 September 2008 | Digital download | Liberation | [48] |
| 22 October 2008 | 12-inch vinyl | [49] | ||
| 26 January 2009 | CD single | [50] | ||
| United States | 14 July 2009 | Digital download | Glassnote | [51] |
| United Kingdom | 2 August 2009 | Infectious | [52] | |
| 3 August 2009 | 7-inch vinyl | [53] | ||
| United States | 31 August 2009 | Alternative radio |
|
[54] |
| United Kingdom | 11 October 2009 | Digital download (remixes) | Infectious | [55] |
| United States | 24 August 2010 | Digital download (remixes) | Glassnote | [56] |
| Worldwide | 30 May 2025 | Lost Frequencies remix | Lost & Cie | [10] |
In popular culture
Film
- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2009 romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer.[57]
- The song was featured on the soundtrack and played during the ending scene for the 2014 action thriller film, 3 Days to Kill.[58]
- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2020 romantic film, I Still Believe.[59]
Advertisements
- The song was used in the 2009 "Memories Start Here" advert for Center Parcs.[60]
- The song was used in a 2009 Sky Sports advert featuring Jose Mourinho.[61]
- The song was used in a 2009 of Network 10 AFL Finals Series advert.
- The song was used in a 2009 O2 advert.[62]
- The song was used in a 2010 Indonesian advert promoting the Toyota Yaris.[63]
- The song was used in a long-form commercial for Chrysler released in 2010.[64]
- The song was used in a commercial for Diet Coke that reportedly aired on the 2010 Academy Awards.[65]
- Coca-Cola Company used the song again for its Coke Zero drink in 2025.[66]
- The song was used in a 2010 commercial for Rhapsody Music service.[67]
- A cover of the song was used in a 2024 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER hybrid electric vehicle ad.[68]
Video Games
- The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 video game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.[69]