| THE SONG: |
| The song "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" was written in less than 24 hours. |
The cast did not sing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke," but rather lip-synced to a New Seekers recording.
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After the success of the commercial, the original song's lyrics were changed to remove the reference to Coke and became known as "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Two versions were released as singles: one by The New Seekers, the Australian group selected to perform the radio spot, and a country western version by The Hillside Singers, a group formed by McCann's musical director Billy Davis. Both versions of the song sold a combined one million copies in one year.
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"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" has been recorded and released more than 75 times since 1971. It's most recent appearance on the top 40 charts was in a song performed by British tribute band No Way Sis' in 1998. Another British rock band, Oasis, used the song as inspiration for the track "Shakermaker" featured on the group's 1994 album titled Definitely Maybe.
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In South Africa, efforts are underway to remake the song as part of a new radio campaign supporting the current "Coke Side of Life" campaign. The original New Seekers soundtrack is being mixed with Reggae, Kwaito, Hip Hop and Heavy Rock to create an upbeat sound, provide local relevance and to appeal musically to an audience who may never have heard the original spot.
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Coca-Cola donated $80,000 from the sale of the song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" to UNICEF.
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| THE COMMERCIAL: |
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"Hilltop" is the first historical ad ever to be restored in High Definition (HD). It can still be viewed by the public as it was donated to the Library of Congress in Washington DC in 2000. |
The international cast included actors from more than 20 countries.
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The opening scene was shot at a horse racetrack outside of Rome forcing unusual camera angles during the opening scene as the director tried to avoid having telephone wires in the background of the shots; the rest of the commercial was shot on the hilltop.
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Within 10 days of the U.S. release of "Hilltop," The Coca-Cola Company received 10,000 letters from consumers thanking the Company for the message in the ad. Consumers also called television stations asking when the commercial was scheduled to air.
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Fifteen original cast members of the "Hilltop" commercial reprised their roles for a reunion ad, which launched the "Can't Beat the Real Thing" campaign during Super Bowl XXIV, Jan. 28, 1990 (CBS Sports).
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The lead singer, a British nanny working in Rome, was discovered two days before the final shoot by producers while pushing a baby carriage. She declined the opportunity at first, but was finally persuaded to take the role. The original lead singer eloped during the production in Italy.
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| GLOBAL RECOGNITION: |
"Hilltop" ranked #23 on VH-1's list of the top 100 music moments that "rocked" TV.
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"Hilltop" ranked #12 on TV Guide's list of Top Commercials of All Time.
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| Channel 4 a public broadcast channel in the United Kingdom, ranked "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" as the greatest (#1) song from a TV ad. |
| ITV, a popular British television channel, ranked "Hilltop" as the greatest TV ad ever made. |
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