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. 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 2× Platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry.
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.
Drummer and programmer Toby Dundas told Undertheradar how this song was written: “Lorenzo our guitarist came into the rehearsal room one day with the main riff and we jumped on it quite quickly and jammed it out. (Frontman) Dougy came back with the lyrics by the next practice and it was pretty much finished in two or three rehearsals so that was one of the lucky ones that comes out easily.” (Source Sweet Disposition Songfacts).
Sweet Disposition
The Temper Trap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never too soon
Oh, reckless abandon
Like no one's watching you
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A kiss, a cry
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A moment, a love
A dream, aloud
So stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
And while our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
And won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
Songs of desperation
I played them for you
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A kiss, a cry
Our rights, our wrongs
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
Stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
And while our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
And won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
(A moment, a love)
(A dream aloud)
(A kiss, a cry)
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
(A moment, a love)
(A dream aloud)
(A kiss, a cry)
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
(A moment, a love)
(A dream aloud)
(A kiss, a cry)
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
(A moment, a love)
(A dream aloud)
(A kiss, a cry)
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop to surrender
The lyrics of The Temper Trap's hit song "Sweet Disposition" captures the excitement and passion of young love. The opening lines "sweet disposition, never too soon, oh reckless abandon, like no one's watching you" suggest a carefree and uninhibited approach to love, embracing the thrill and excitement of the moment. The chorus, "so stay there, 'cause I'll be coming over," expresses the desire to be near to the loved one and an urgency to be together. The reference to young blood that "runs" and "won't stop until it's over" conveys the idea of youthful energy and the refusal to give up despite any obstacles.
The second verse takes a reflective turn, with the singer admitting that they had played "songs of desperation" for their lover. The repeated refrain of "a moment, a love, a dream aloud, a kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs" creates a sense of poetic yearning and passion. The final line, "our rights, our wrongs, won't stop to surrender" shows that the singer is aware of their faults and mistakes, but they are committed to working through them with their partner.
Overall, "Sweet Disposition" celebrates the rush and excitement of young love while acknowledging the challenges and imperfections that can arise. The song is a timeless anthem to the passion and intensity of youth, capturing a moment in time that is both fleeting and unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet disposition
This person has a kind and pleasant temperament.
Never too soon
It's never too early to enjoy life and take risks.
Oh, reckless abandon
Acting without fear of the consequences or risks involved.
Like no one's watching you
Behaving naturally and freely without worrying about judgment or scrutiny.
A moment, a love
Life is made up of brief yet meaningful moments and experiences.
A dream aloud
Expressing one's deepest aspirations and hopes for the future.
A kiss, a cry
Sharing intimate moments with others, both happy and sad.
Our rights, our wrongs
Our personal experiences, both good and bad, shape who we are.
So stay there
Don't move, stay in this moment.
Cause I'll be coming over
I'll be there for you.
And while our blood's still young
While we are still full of life and energy.
It's so young, it runs
Our youth makes us feel unstoppable and full of energy.
And won't stop 'til it's over
Our passion and energy will not end until this moment is over.
Won't stop to surrender
We will not give up or back down in this moment.
Songs of desperation
Music that expresses feelings of hopelessness and sadness.
I played them for you
I shared these songs with you to express my feelings.
(A moment, a love)
Life is made up of brief yet meaningful moments and experiences.
(A dream aloud)
Expressing one's deepest aspirations and hopes for the future.
(A kiss, a cry)
Sharing intimate moments with others, both happy and sad.
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
Our personal experiences, both good and bad, continue to shape us until this moment ends.
(A moment, a love)
Life is made up of brief yet meaningful moments and experiences.
(A dream aloud)
Expressing one's deepest aspirations and hopes for the future.
(A kiss, a cry)
Sharing intimate moments with others, both happy and sad.
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
Our personal experiences, both good and bad, continue to shape us until this moment ends.
(A moment, a love)
Life is made up of brief yet meaningful moments and experiences.
(A dream aloud)
Expressing one's deepest aspirations and hopes for the future.
(A kiss, a cry)
Sharing intimate moments with others, both happy and sad.
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop 'til it's over
Our personal experiences, both good and bad, continue to shape us until this moment ends.
(A moment, a love)
Life is made up of brief yet meaningful moments and experiences.
(A dream aloud)
Expressing one's deepest aspirations and hopes for the future.
(A kiss, a cry)
Sharing intimate moments with others, both happy and sad.
(Our rights, our wrongs) won't stop to surrender
We will not back down or give up in this moment, even in the face of adversity.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Abby Mandagi, Lorenzo Sillitto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martina0290
Sweet disposition
Never too soon
Oh, reckless abandon
Like no one's watching you
A moment a love
A dream aloud
A kiss a cry
Our rights
Our wrongs
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A moment, a love
A dream, aloud
So stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
And while our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
And won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
Songs of desperation
I played them for you
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A kiss, a cry
Our rights
Our wrongs
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
A moment, a love
A dream aloud
Stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
And while our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
And won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
And won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
@saracrum1487
I was on drugs living in Vegas wasteland when this song came out. I would imagine a time in the future when I was clean and sober on the beach truly feeling alive and the fleeting thought felt so far away. I’m clean and sober 12 years and I still love this song, I got what I was yearning for 🤟
Edit: Thank you everyone for your lovely responses. For anyone thats having a hard time with addiction or have family that struggle....please dont give up. Continue praying and having hope. We do recover. Take it minute by minute. Nothing more powerful than a made up mind. HUGS
@jscho8674
Congrats Sara! Way to go!!
@sonthay22
Beautiful! So happy for you!
@Strawberrybliss25
happy for you!
@carolc4359
Congratulations I just turned 6 years clean.
@18436572gmc
I certainly understand...2017 I was bedridden with paralysis and chronic pain trapped inside my dad’s house in my 50s. I was planning details to exit this life. I was given a book on chronic pain and a chapter on gratitude really stuck. Fast forward to now, I’m in my bus motorhome a rescued a dog and we walk everyday and I’m on day 15 walking over 1.5 miles everyday without my cane 🙏 Miracles happened and my doctors were wrong 🙏♥️🐕🚌😊🍄
@dyldovaggins
You know a song is incredible when your entire body gets goosebumps after hearing it after years of not hearing it
@NetherSprings611
Exactly
@mistymitchell2021
Yassss!
@christinethames4675
Youre having what is called frission look it up