"Some Nights" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Fun | ||||
from the album Some Nights | ||||
Released | June 4, 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock [1] | |||
Length | 4:36(album version) 4:00 (radio edit) [promo only] | |||
Label | Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Jeff Bhasker | |||
Fun singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Some Nights" on YouTube |
"Some Nights" is a song by American indie pop band Fun. It was released on June 4, 2012, as the second single from their second studio album of the same name. The song was written by Jeff Bhasker, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, and Jack Antonoff. Musically "Some Nights" is an alternative rock song with elements of power pop and progressive pop while the lyrics depict the protagonist having an existential crisis.
In the United States, "Some Nights" was a sleeper hit, spending approximately seven months on the Billboard Hot 100 before reaching a peak of number three for six non-consecutive weeks beginning the week of September 29, 2012. The song became Fun's second single to enter the chart's top ten, as well as their second song to be certified platinum in the U.S., after their previous single, "We Are Young". "Some Nights" was successful around the world, topping the singles charts of Australia, Israel and New Zealand, and it reached the top 10 in an additional nine countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Some Nights" is written in the key of C major at a tempo of 108 beats per minute. A line in their lyrics, "this is it, boys; this is war", recalls "99 Red Balloons", the English version of Nena's 1983 hit "99 Luftballons". Lyrically, the song expresses the existential angst of a young protagonist who is a long way from home. [2] Lead singer Nate Ruess explained to Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press : "I'm always thinking about, 'Who am I and why did I do something like that?' And I think then it harkens back to my family, and I have such a strong tie to them and it's always therapeutic to sing about them." [3] Ruess came up with the song and album title while on tour in Scotland; he wrote the song based on the title. Lyrically, the song is about "just being someone different on any given night." [4]
There has been some confusion with the fans as the lyric "Some terrible nights" was mistaken for "...lies". Members of Fun. confirmed on November 18, 2012, on their Twitter and Facebook accounts that "it's NIGHTS not LIES." [5] [6] Jeff Giles, writing for Diffuser, compared the song to Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia." [7] [ unreliable source? ] Ruess commented that Simon's Graceland (1986) was an influence on the song in an interview with Billboard . [4]
The Re-View calls "Some Nights" a "bolder, catchier and more striking track than its predecessor "We Are Young", upping the stakes when it comes to both style and substance." In closing, he cited the track as one that would "cement [Fun] as one of the most intriguing and exciting new bands to emerge from the States in recent years." [8] The Guardian writer Dave Simpson compared Ruess's vocals in the song to those of Freddie Mercury and called the lyrics "sincere and oddly moving". [9]
Ray Rahman of Entertainment Weekly , while reviewing the whole album, criticized its second half as inferior to the first and also called "Some Nights" the best track on the album, alongside "We Are Young". [10]
Rolling Stone named the song the 11th best song of 2012. [11]
"Some Nights" has reached number one in Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. The song has also reached the top ten in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, and has so far made the top 30 in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland; it has also charted in Japan.
In the United States, "Some Nights" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 the same week their album Some Nights debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. The song remained in the lower region of the chart for approximately four months due to low-level sales and consistent high-level streaming, before finally entering the top 40 in its 18th week. In its 23rd week, it switched places with "We Are Young" at number 11 on the chart, where it stayed the week after. In the song's 25th week on the chart, it entered the top ten by jumping to number 8. In its sixth week in the top ten, it reached number 3, which has been its peak position. As of March 2014, the song has sold over 5 million copies in the United States. [12] It also reached number 2 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, coincidentally behind Maroon 5's "One More Night".
The music video for "Some Nights" was produced by Poonam Sehrawat and directed by Anthony Mandler, and released on MTV.com on June 4, 2012. The video is of a fictional American Civil War night battle where the band performs on the battlefield. The lead singer, Nate Ruess, also sings as he rallies a Union regiment in preparation for battle. The flag of the Union troops is that of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, volunteer soldiers that were commanded by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain starting in 1863. The video features two soldiers, one from each side of the conflict. The Confederate soldier is a middle-aged farmer clearly in love with his life, land and animals. The Union soldier is a young man, presumably from Maine, who has left his love to fight as a volunteer. In battle, the two sides first form lines and engage in a shooting battle. The Confederates charge the Union line (though they do so without appearing to mount bayonets). The Union troops engage in hand-to-hand combat in which the young Union soldier grits his teeth with determination and bayonets the Confederate soldier-farmer, brutally killing him. The Union regiment is victorious and the band follows the Union troops as it marches confidently and with apparent conviction towards its next battle, the young soldier exemplifying fulfilment in answering the song's central question, "What do I stand for?". He writes his love a letter which she cherishes.
The music video on YouTube has achieved significant popularity, as it has been viewed over 250 million times. [13]
"Some Nights" appeared in the series finale of Harry's Law , and has been used in television spots for the ABC program Secret Millionaire . The song was also used in promos for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards and the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. Fun performed the song on The Colbert Report , Late Night with Jimmy Fallon , Sunrise , The Jonathan Ross Show , and Saturday Night Live . [14] It also was used in trailers and advertisements promoting the Disney animated film Wreck-It Ralph . [15]
The Chicago Blackhawks use the song as a backing track in several promotional montages. [16] [17]
Southwest Airlines used the song in the first TV spot for their "Welcome Aboard" ad campaign, which was also their first campaign by TBWA/Chiat/Day.
On Air With Ryan Seacrest reviews a collaborative video version of Some Nights performed by nine "YouTube stars". Produced by Jake Coco and W. G. Snuffy Walden, vocalists include Jake Coco, Corey Gray, Caitlin Hart, Madilyn Bailey, Savannah Outen, Jess Moskaluke, Sara Niemietz, Eppic, and Black Prez. [18] Released on Jake Coco's YouTube channel on August 11, 2012, by October 13, 2012, this cover version received 4,532,233 views in 63 days. [19] In August 2012 Some Nights was covered by Canadian band Walk Off The Earth for their YouTube channel. Ohio based metalcore band Like Moths To Flames covered the song on the compilation album Punk Goes Pop 5 .
Ellie Goulding has covered the song as well in late 2012 on BBC Radio in the "Live Lounge".
The song was covered by the New Directions glee club in the "Dynamic Duets" episode of Glee .
On April 25, 2013, teen actress and musician Victoria Justice (of Nickelodeon's Victorious ) posted a softer acoustic rendition of "Some Nights". [20] [21]
A cappella group Straight No Chaser released a mashup of this song and "We Are Young" for their 2013 album Under the Influence . [22]
The song was covered The Band Perry in concert from Jackson, MI We Are Pioneers World Tour 2013 with mashup "Night Gone Wasted" [23]
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
All-time charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [81] | 7× Platinum | 490,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [82] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [83] | 5× Platinum | 400,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [84] | Gold | 15,000^ |
Germany (BVMI) [85] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [86] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [87] | Gold | 30,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [88] | 2× Platinum | 30,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [89] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF) [90] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [91] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [92] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [93] | 7× Platinum | 7,000,000 [12] |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [94] | 2× Platinum | 3,600,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"Coco Jamboo" is a song by German Eurodance group Mr. President. It was released on 29 March 1996 as the lead single from their second studio album, We See the Same Sun (1996). Music critics compared the song to Swedish band Ace of Base. A hit in Europe, it reached number one in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, and Switzerland. It also experienced success in the United States, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1997. The accompanying music video was filmed in Venezuela. Mr. President was awarded the German 1997 Echo award in the category for Best Dance Single with "Coco Jamboo".
Fun is an American indie pop band based in New York City. The band consists of Jack Antonoff, Andrew Dost, and Nate Ruess.
Nathaniel Joseph Ruess is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the founder and lead singer of the indie pop band Fun, and of the Format.
"We Are Young" is a song recorded by American pop rock band Fun, featuring American singer Janelle Monáe. It is the third track on the group's second studio album, Some Nights (2012). The song was released on September 20, 2011 as the lead single from the album. The song quickly received acclaim from music critics, with many noting the song as a breakthrough for the indie genre and praising the song's catchiness. "We Are Young" attained commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in several countries.
"The A Team" is the debut single by English singer Ed Sheeran. It was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2011, serving as the lead single from his debut album, + (2011). "The A Team" is a folk ballad about a sex worker addicted to crack cocaine, a Class A drug. It was written after Sheeran visited a homeless shelter and heard some of the stories of the lives people had been living. He wrote the song following a last-minute performance at an event for the homeless. The chorus of "The A Team" was also used by Sheeran in the track "Little Lady", which features Mikill Pane. "Little Lady" is available on the EP No. 5 Collaborations Project.
"Lego House" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 11 November 2011 as the third single lifted from his debut studio album + of 2011. It was released as the second single in the US on 11 February 2013. It was written by Sheeran, Jake Gosling and Chris Leonard, and produced by Jake Gosling.
"A Thousand Years" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Perri, and written by Perri and David Hodges, for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. The song was released as a digital download on October 18, 2011, worldwide, and serves as the second single for the movie. Perri re-recorded the song with vocals from Steve Kazee for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Some Nights is the final studio album by the American pop rock group fun. It was released on February 21, 2012, through Fueled by Ramen. It was recorded in 2011 and produced by Jeff Bhasker. After signing to the new label, the band began to work on Some Nights for over nine months throughout 2011.
"Too Close" is a song by British singer Alex Clare. The track was first released in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2011 as the second single from Clare's debut studio album, The Lateness of the Hour (2011). The track was written by Clare, Jim Duguid and produced by Major Lazer, with co-production from Ariel Rechtshaid and Mike Spencer. Lyrically, the song describes the protagonist who is not ready for a committed relationship and he must end things with his love interest in good terms.
The discography of American indie pop band Fun consists of two studio albums, seven extended plays, 11 singles and seven music videos. Following the split of his previous band The Format, lead singer Nate Ruess formed Fun in 2008 with musicians Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff, both of whom had previously toured with The Format. Fun began recording sessions for their debut album in September 2008 and embarked on a North American tour the following month. In May 2009, they issued their debut single, "At Least I'm Not as Sad ". Aim and Ignite, the band's first full-length album, was released by Nettwerk Records on August 25, 2009, and peaked at number 71 on the United States Billboard 200 chart. The album produced an additional two singles, "All the Pretty Girls" and "Walking the Dog", which were then followed by the release of the single "C'mon", a collaboration with American alternative rock band Panic! at the Disco.
"Locked Out of Heaven" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars from his second studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012). It was released as the lead single from the album on October 1, 2012. The song was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. It was produced by the former three, under their alias, the Smeezingtons along with Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker and Emile Haynie. "Locked Out of Heaven" is a reggae rock and pop rock song influenced by new wave and funk. The song's lyrics are about the rapturous feelings brought about by a relationship infused with positive emotion as well as euphoria from sex.
"Die Young" is a song by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on September 25, 2012, as the lead single from her second studio album, Warrior (2012). Kesha co-wrote the song with its producers, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, and Cirkut, with additional writing from Nate Ruess, the lead singer of Fun. Ruess wrote the words for the chorus, but Kesha wrote the lyrics after traveling around the world and embarking on a spiritual journey.
"Carry On" is a song by American indie pop band Fun. It was released on October 23, 2012, as the third single off their second album, Some Nights. The song was written by the band members, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff, alongside the album's producer, Jeff Bhasker.
"Just Give Me a Reason" is a song recorded by American singer Pink featuring Nate Ruess of the band Fun. The song was chosen as the third single from Pink's sixth studio album, The Truth About Love (2012). Written alongside producer Jeff Bhasker, "Just Give Me a Reason" is a pop ballad about the desire to hold on to a relationship even when it appears to be breaking down.
"Thrift Shop" is a song written and performed by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring vocals from American singer Wanz, released in 2012, as the fourth single from the former's debut studio album, The Heist (2012). The lyrics tell of Macklemore's esteem for going to thrift shops and saving money, rather than flaunting expensive items like many rappers. The song was met with universal acclaim, with various music reviewers praising its humorous lyrics and social critique.
"The Other Side" is a song by American singer Jason Derulo, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Tattoos (2013), and its US counterpart Talk Dirty (2014). Derulo co-wrote the song with Martin Johnson and Joshua "Ammo" Coleman; the latter is also the producer. The song was later featured in a TV spot for the 2017 Disney/Pixar film Coco.
"Stay the Night" is a song by Russian-German electronic dance music producer Zedd, from the deluxe edition (2013) of his debut studio album, Clarity (2012). It features vocals from Hayley Williams, the lead singer of American rock group Paramore. The song was written by Zedd, Williams, Benjamin Eli Hanna, and Carah Faye, and produced by Zedd. "Stay the Night" was released to digital retailers on September 10, 2013, by Interscope Records as the lead single off the deluxe edition of Clarity, and the fourth overall single from the album.
"Headlights" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring American singer Nate Ruess of the band Fun. It was written by Eminem, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, Luis Riesto, and Ruess, while being produced by the former three. In the song, Eminem apologizes to his mother, Debbie Mathers, for criticizing her in his earlier songs and for showing scorn and resentment towards her in the past. It was released on November 5, 2013, as the album's fifth and the final single. It peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"iSpy" is a song by American rapper Kyle featuring fellow American rapper Lil Yachty. It was released on December 2, 2016, by Indie-Pop and Atlantic Records. It is the lead single from Kyle's debut studio album Light of Mine (2018). The song was produced by Naz, Chico Jay, SuperDuperBrick, and Lege Kale.
"Sign of the Times" is the debut solo single by British singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his self-titled debut studio album. Released on 7 April 2017 by Columbia Records, it was first written by Jeff Bhasker, Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, while Styles gets writing credits for contributing. It was produced by Bhasker and co produced by Salibian and Johnson. Musically, it was described by critics as a pop rock and soft rock ballad. Its accompanying music video was released on 8 May 2017.
On Air with Ryan Seacrest