"I'd like to buy the world a Coke" send-up highlights how terrible soda is for you

"If not for drinking soda pop, it's just so sugar-y/ My liver might not be enlarged, might have a few more teeth."

Published June 23, 2015 5:10PM (EDT)

    (Center for Science in the Public Interest)
(Center for Science in the Public Interest)

In 1971, Coca-Cola released its iconic "Hilltop" advertisement, in which tens of beautiful, diverse young people stood on a hill in Italy and sang, "I'd like to buy the world a Coke." The ad was recently featured in the finale of AMC's "Mad Men." Here it is:

On Tuesday morning, the Center for Science in the Public Interest released a send-up of the advertisement, removing the romantic backdrop of the original ad and replacing it with the harsh sterility of a hospital. In CSPI's video, real people suffering from real diseases related to excessive sugar intake sing about what soda has done for them. They sing:

I'd like to teach the world about what sugar did to me
Liquid calories gave her diabetes which really ain't so sweet. 

If not for drinking soda pop, it's just so sugar-y
My liver might not be enlarged, might have a few more teeth.

That's obesity!

“For the past 45 years, Coca-Cola and other makers of sugar drinks have used the most sophisticated and manipulative advertising techniques to convince children and adults alike that a disease-promoting drink will make them feel warm and fuzzy inside,” saidCSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.  “It’s a multi-billion-dollar brainwashing campaign designed to distract us away from our diabetes with happy thoughts.  We thought it was time to change the tune.”

Watch the video below:


By Joanna Rothkopf

MORE FROM Joanna Rothkopf


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Center For Science In The Public Interest Coca-cola Diabetes Health Junk Food Obesity Soda Sugar Video