Nate Ruess of the band fun. performing their hit 'We Are Young', a young fun song anthem.
When “We Are Young” by the band fun. exploded onto the music scene, it became more than just a chart-topping hit; it solidified itself as a defining Young Fun Song for a generation. The soaring vocals, anthemic chorus, and relatable lyrics resonated deeply, capturing the spirit of youthful exuberance and resilience. But what’s the real story behind this iconic track? In a revealing interview, fun.’s lead singer, Nate Ruess, shared the origins and meaning of this beloved song.
Ruess recounts the initial spark of inspiration striking him unexpectedly: “For the most part I was just in my car driving to meet with another producer that I was really excited about.” He described being in a songwriting mindset, feeling a sense of creative momentum for the album when the core idea for “We Are Young” suddenly came to him. “It just hit me in the middle of the car,” he explained. This spontaneous moment of inspiration highlights the often unpredictable nature of songwriting, where powerful ideas can emerge from everyday situations.
Despite quickly connecting with the lyrical content, Ruess initially wrestled with the melody. “I really liked the lyrics, but I was unsure about the melody,” he admitted. This creative struggle is a common part of the songwriting process, where lyrics and melody might not always align seamlessly at first. Ruess even attempted to fit the lyrics into another song, but ultimately realized their unique synergy with the original melodic idea, stating, “I tried to write the lyrics into a different song, but it really sucked.” This underscores the importance of trusting initial creative instincts and allowing songs to develop organically.
Delving into the song’s meaning, Ruess revealed it’s not about one specific person but rather a tapestry of emotions and experiences. “It’s just an amalgamation of all these different insecurities as well as things that happened, kind of making up this story in my head.” This composite approach to songwriting allows for broader relatability, as listeners can find fragments of their own experiences reflected in the lyrics. He further elaborated on a specific night that contributed to the song’s emotional core: “And also, just a night that I was so inebriated that I remember our bass player and my girlfriend had to take care of me that night. And I thought, ‘I feel pretty lucky that I have people in my life that are there.’” This personal anecdote adds a layer of vulnerability and sincerity to the song, emphasizing themes of gratitude and the importance of supportive relationships during youthful escapades and vulnerabilities. The lyric “let’s just have one good night, you know?” encapsulates this desire to cherish moments of joy and connection amidst life’s complexities.
The reach of “We Are Young” extended far beyond radio airwaves when it was featured on the hit TV show Glee. Ruess described his reaction to this phenomenon with endearing humility: “It just . . . it makes me really squeamish. I can’t watch myself, I can’t look at photos of myself and stuff like that, so hearing other people sing my song always makes me really squeamish.” Despite his personal discomfort with self-promotion, he recognized the immense positive impact of Glee‘s platform: “but Glee was very cool for us. It’s such a progressive show, and it introduces people to music. So that’s just something you could never even say no to. I have a hard time believing that people can say no to something that has a positive effect on people.” This highlights the band’s understanding of the power of music accessibility and their willingness to embrace opportunities that broaden their audience and spread positivity through their young fun song.
Interestingly, fun. proactively approached Glee, demonstrating their strategic vision for the song’s success. “We gave them the song thinking, ‘Hey, it’s going to become a hit . . . keep us in mind!’ and they were just like, ‘Well, we want to make it a hit.’” This reveals a savvy approach to leveraging media platforms, recognizing Glee‘s influence in launching songs into mainstream popularity. Glee‘s enthusiastic response, “Well, we want to make it a hit,” further underscores the song’s inherent potential and its immediate appeal as a young fun song anthem.
“We Are Young” continues to resonate as a timeless young fun song, capturing the spirit of youth, friendship, and the desire to seize the moment. Nate Ruess’s insights into its creation offer a deeper appreciation for the song’s journey from a spontaneous car ride inspiration to a global anthem.
