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I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing: SATB Choral Octavo

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I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing Cover Image
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing: SATB Choral Octavo

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing: SATB Choral Octavo

Words and music by Bill Backer, Roquel Davis, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway / arr. Mark Hayes

Item: 00-49767
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Description
A blast from the past with a message built to last! This song of hope and love originated as the 1970s Coca-Cola jingle, considered one of the best-loved and most influential ads in TV history. It's a catchy anthem with a rock-side-to-side hook, a bubbly tune, and a few delightful counterlines. Universal themes of music and world harmony fit well on many programs---school, community, winter, spring, pop, pyramid, and more. SoundTrax and SoundPax accompaniment options are available.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
UPC: 038081568546
SKU: 00-49767

More about this title

About the Composer: Bill Backer

Bill Backer was an advertising jingle writer and composer whose work defined the sound of 1970s commercial music. Along with Roquel Davis, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway, he created "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" for a Coca-Cola campaign that became a watershed moment in advertising history, proving that a commercial jingle could transcend its original purpose and become a genuine cultural artifact.

Backer's ability to craft memorable melodies with emotional resonance made him influential in both commercial and popular music circles. The song's success demonstrated that accessible, singable music with a positive message could reach audiences across generations and contexts, a principle that continues to guide music selection in educational settings.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures everything that made the original so enduring: immediate melodic hooks, infectious energy, and a genuine message of unity that doesn't feel preachy. Mark Hayes's orchestration respects the pop idiom while giving singers real musical material to sink their teeth into, with counterlines and harmonic interest that elevate what could have been a novelty into a piece with actual substance.

What to expect

Sunshine and optimism wrapped in a groove. The song sparkles with 1970s warmth and genuine affection for its subject, never cynical or dated despite its origin as a commercial. You and your singers will feel the lift and lightness that made this such a durable standard.

Who it's for

Choirs of all levels and settings will find accessible material here. The SATB voicing works for school choirs, community ensembles, and adult groups alike, and the approachable melodic writing means less experienced singers can find success while skilled singers have something rewarding to craft.

How to get the most out of it

  • Nail the "rock-side-to-side" rhythmic hook in the accompaniment; it's the glue that holds the song together. Make sure your singers feel that pocket rather than rushing ahead of it.
  • Balance the counterlines carefully so they enhance rather than compete with the main melody. Mark Hayes wrote them to add color, not to muddy the tune.
  • Lean into the bubbly, upbeat character without letting it become saccharine. The song's optimism should feel genuine and earned, not plastic.
  • Use dynamic shaping to build momentum through phrases. This arrangement rewards singers who shape lines with intention and keeps energy from flattening across the 16 pages.

How to use it

Program this during seasons when hope and community resonate most: winter concerts (standing as a standalone piece or paired with other accessible pop arrangements), spring celebrations, or diversity-themed concerts where the world harmony message shines. It also serves as an excellent closer on mixed repertoire programs, sending audiences out with a memorable, hummable melody they'll carry with them.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing pop-influenced phrasing and rhythmic accuracy within a groove-based accompaniment
  • Balancing melody and countermelody in SATB writing
  • Interpreting accessible, vernacular music with care and intention
  • Sustaining ensemble energy across multiple verses and sections without losing shape

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