Sweet Disposition

"Sweet Disposition"
Single by the Temper Trap
from the album Conditions
B-side
  • "Science of Fear"
  • "Little Boy"
Released16 September 2008 (2008-09-16)
GenreIndie rock
Length3:52
Label
Songwriters
  • Dougy Mandagi
  • Lorenzo Sillitto
ProducerJim Abbiss
The Temper Trap singles chronology
"Sweet Disposition"
(2008)		 "Fader"
(2010)
Music video
"Sweet Disposition" on YouTube

"Sweet Disposition" is a song by Australian indie rock band the Temper Trap. Described by critics as an "indie anthem", 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.

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 and 4× Platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry.

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.

As of 2026, the most popular music video has around 90 million views, whereas the other two versions both have around 15 million views each.

Track listings

Australian digital download

  1. "Sweet Disposition" – 3:54
  2. "Sweet Disposition" (video) – 3:54

Australian CD single

  1. "Sweet Disposition"
  2. "Sweet Disposition" (Curtis Vodka remix)

Australian 12-inch single

A1. "Sweet Disposition"
A2. "Sweet Disposition" (Curtis Vodka remix)
B1. "Science of Fear"
B2. "Science of Fear" (Pocketknife remix)

UK 7-inch picture disc single

A. "Sweet Disposition"
B. "Little Boy"

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) 8× Platinum 560,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI) Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) 5× Platinum 150,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) 4× Platinum 2,400,000‡
United States (RIAA) Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Australia 16 September 2008 Digital download Liberation
22 October 2008 12-inch vinyl
26 January 2009 CD single
United States 14 July 2009 Digital download Glassnote
United Kingdom 2 August 2009 Infectious
3 August 2009 7-inch vinyl
United States 31 August 2009 Alternative radio
  • Liberation
  • Glassnote
United Kingdom 11 October 2009 Digital download (remixes) Infectious
United States 24 August 2010 Digital download (remixes) Glassnote

"Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)"

"Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)"
Single by Lost Frequencies and The Temper Trap
Released30 May 2025
Length3:32
LabelLost & Cie
Songwriters
ProducerLost Frequencies
Lost Frequencies singles chronology
"Dance in the Sunlight"
(2025)		 "Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)"
(2025)		 "Summer Skies (Love to Cry)"
(2025)
The Temper Trap singles chronology
"Under the Milky Way"
(2023)		 "Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)"
(2025)		 "Lucky Dimes"
(2025)

On 30 May 2025, a version titled "Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)" credited to Belgium DJ Lost Frequencies and The Temper Trap was released.

Reception

Freddy Pawle from Rolling Stone Australia said "De Laet's remix features bouncy echoes of the original chorus atop a trance-inducing beat built for both mainstream and underground fans to sing along to."

Charts

Chart performance for "Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)" (Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap Version)
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)16
NZ Hot Singles (RMNZ) 39
North Macedonia Airplay (Radiomonitor) 12
2025 year-end chart performance for "Sweet Disposition (A Moment, a Love)" (Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap Version)
Chart (2025) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 32
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 117
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) 102

Film

Advertisements

Video games

Other

  • The song was used in a farewell tribute video by WWE for John Cena ahead of his retirement, featuring several WWE superstars and production crew.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Temper Trap Ponder Album No. 2". Clash. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "16 Albums you need to listen to in June". Harper's Bazaar. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Countdown #1 to #100 - Hottest 100 Australian Songs". triple j. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. 1 2 "British single certifications – Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 July 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Sweet Disposition Temper Trap in the "Search:" field.
  6. ↑ "The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition [Official Video]". 9 December 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2026 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Sweet Disposition – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Sweet Disposition (Australian CD single liner notes). Liberation Music. 2008. LMCD0023.
  9. ↑ Sweet Disposition (Australian 12-inch single liner notes). Liberation Music. 2008. LMLP0023.
  10. ↑ Sweet Disposition (UK 7-inch picture disc sleeve). Liberation Music, Infectious Records. 2009. INFECT103S.
  11. ↑ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  12. ↑ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ↑ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in French). Ultratip.
  14. ↑ "Sweet Disposition | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ↑ "Earone Airplay - Settimana #8 dal 19/02/2010 al 25/02/2010" (in Italian). Earone. 8 January 2010.
  16. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 51, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  17. ↑ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  18. ↑ "The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Top 40 Singles.
  19. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 17/10/2009 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. ↑ "Temper Trap Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart on 10/10/2009 – Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  22. ↑ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  23. ↑ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Dance Airplay)". Billboard.
  25. ↑ "The Temper Trap Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  26. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Mar 5, 2026". TopHit. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  27. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Australian Singles for 2009". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2009". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  29. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2010". ARIA. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  30. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Australian Singles for 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2010" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  32. ↑ "Earone Top 100 of the year 2010" (in Italian). Earone. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011.
  33. ↑ "Year 2010-Top 100 Annual Download Chart". Nielsen. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  34. ↑ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  35. ↑ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  36. ↑ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  37. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  39. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  40. ↑ "Italian single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  41. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Radioscope. Retrieved 28 February 2026. Type Sweet Disposition in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  42. ↑ "American single certifications – The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "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
  44. ↑ "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.
  45. ↑ "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.
  46. ↑ "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.
  47. ↑ "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.
  48. ↑ "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.
  49. ↑ "Modern Rock - Airplay Archive". FMQB. Archived from the original on 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  50. ↑ "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.
  51. ↑ "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.
  52. 1 2 Freddy Pawle (30 May 2025). "Lost Frequencies Drops Remix of the Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  53. ↑ "Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (A Moment, A Love)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  54. ↑ "Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (A Moment, A Love)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  55. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  56. ↑ "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.
  57. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2025" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  58. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2025" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  59. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Annual Chart: 2025". TopHit. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  60. ↑ Walmsley, Sophia (15 August 2021). "10 Best Songs In (500) Days Of Summer". Screen Rant. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  61. ↑ "3 Days to Kill (2014): Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  62. ↑ "I Still Believe Soundtrack". Tunefind. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  63. ↑ "Center Parcs – Memories Start Here". TV Advert Music. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  64. ↑ "Jose: Football on Sky Sports - It's special". 31 July 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  65. ↑ "O2 Treats ad Temper Trap". 28 January 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  66. ↑ "Toyota Yaris Indonesia Commercial - Sweet Disposition". 11 October 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  67. ↑ "Chrysler Commercial". 5 January 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
  68. ↑ "Diet Coke Commercial". 7 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
  69. ↑ "Coke refreshes 'Share a Coke' to reach Gen Z with digital experiences | Food Dive".
  70. ↑ "Rhapsody Commercial". 14 December 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via YouTube.
  71. ↑ Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER. Retrieved 21 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  72. ↑ PES 2011 Soundtrack, July 2014, retrieved 7 April 2022 – via YouTube
  73. ↑ "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.