The ear worm. It's that song you can't get out of your head, often put there by a horrible friend, prefaced by, "You know what song I can't get out of my head?" Or it's that song you find yourself singing the chorus of when you leave the clothing or grocery store. Usually, it's annoying and elicits some level of shame. Once in awhile, though, it's the song that psychs you up or takes you back to that moment when life was all possibility and all ahead of you. For the last month, "We Are Young" by FUN. featuring Janelle Monae has been that ear worm for me, a rare one in which the melody resonates and the lyrics are subtle and clever but not overly so.
You've probably heard the song even if you don't know it. It cropped up in a Super Bowl commercial this year and made it onto Glee. But let's be honest, what haven't they sung on Glee? If that doesn't ring a bell, click here for the official video, which is kind of fun, and here for an acoustic version, where you can really appreciate the vocal harmonies. I have to thank my friend and former worm lab colleague, George, for generating this ear worm for me. He submitted the song to a lab mix tape/CD/MP3 playlist, and I accidentally complimented his song. When I tried to explain why his choice was so awesome, he suggested I blog about why. I tell you this so that you can blame him for the ear worm if you hate the song.
The most striking quality of the song is that it simultaneously elicits nostalgia and an everything's-going-to-be-alright hope for the future. Nostalgia always carries with it a basic desire to return to the past but not a real hope. It's wistful, not invigorating. Perhaps I am feeling more nostalgic than usual because I'm aging and beginning to long for the days when it seemed life was going to take care of me instead of me having to take care of life. Hearing FUN. sing about the unbridled potential of youth makes me miss that period of my life. On the other hand, I'm not old enough to be unmoved by the song's title and galvanizing chorus: "Tonight / We are young / So let's set the world on fire / We can burn brighter / Than the sun." There is still time to make some mistakes, take a couple of wrong paths, and miss a few opportunities. I'm older but not quite old, so let's not play it too safe just yet. But who knows what I'll do when those moments present themselves?
The first verse is a well crafted depiction of a situation that evoked an even greater appreciation for the song.
Give me a second, I . . . I need to get my story straight. (A hint that the singer may be drunk ("I . . . I") and has some explaining to do.)
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State. (We now know the crowd he runs with via a clever analogy: "higher than the Empire State" referring to the building.)
My lover, she is waiting for me just across the bar. (Introducing the object of his affection.)
My seat's been taking by some sunglasses asking about a scar. (My favorite line intimating that the guy hitting on her is a jerk: "some sunglasses".)
And I know I gave it to you months ago. ("It" refers to the scar in the previous line, and I like to think this line is a transition to the metaphorical, telling us that he caused his lover emotional pain in the past.)
I know you're trying to forget. (She loves him enough that she's trying to let it go.)
But between the drinks and subtle things.
The holes in my apologies, (I just like the way these lines flow, but I'm a sucker for near rhymes contained within lines: tween, drinks, things, -gies.)
You know I'm trying hard to take it back. (The singer is trying to make amends.)
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down,
I'll carry you home. (The singer is still there for her despite the rough patches.)
Take a listen. If you take it off of repeat, I'll be surprised.
