Today’s classic song of the day started life as a Coke commercial and, after a little unbranding, became a huge mainstream pop hit. The song is “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)” and it was released as a single by the New Seekers in November of 1971. It rose all the way to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #27 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. It actually was a number-one hit in Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the UK; I guess they really did teach the whole world to sing.
“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” was written by Brit songmeisters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, along with advertising executive Bill Backer and jingle writer Billy Davis. Backer came up with the line, “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” first, then handed it off to Cook and Greenaway. They appropriated a melody from another tune they’d previous written called “True Love and Apple Pie,” then worked with Billy Davis to turn it into a commercial jingle for Backer’s client, Coca-Cola.
They wanted the British pop group the New Seekers to record the jingle, but they were busy, so they put together a studio group, dubbed the Hilltop Singers, who sang it instead. When it was incorporated into Coca-Cola’s famous “Hilltop” commercial later in 1971, the jingle became so popular that Cook and Greenaway revised it for single release, removing any product references and adding three new verses. This time around they got the New Seekers to record it, and their version was a worldwide hit.
Interestingly, that studio group, the Hillside Singers, also released their own version of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” Their version reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and #5 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart).
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, Coca-Cola’s original “Hilltop” commercial, featuring the original Coke-loving lyrics. It’s the real thing!
