So I may have got my wires crossed, but one of the catchiest songs of 2012 was Fun’s “We are Young.” We had it on repeat on the Now 87 all Summer and as the kids sang along I listened to the lyrics:
“We Are Young”
(feat. Janelle Monáe)
Give me a second I, I need to get my story straight My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State My lover she’s waiting for me just across the bar My seat’s been taken by some sunglasses asking ’bout a scar, and I know I gave it to you months ago I know you’re trying to forget But between the drinks and subtle things The holes in my apologies, you know I’m trying hard to take it back So if by the time the bar closes And you feel like falling down I’ll carry you homeTonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunTonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunNow I know that I’m not
All that you got
I guess that I, I just thought
Maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
But our friends are back
So let’s raise a toast
‘Cause I found someone to carry me homeTonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunTonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunCarry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Just carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Just carry me home tonight (Nananananana)The moon is on my side (Nananananana)
I have no reason to run (Nananananana)
So will someone come and carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
The angels never arrived (Nananananana)
But I can hear the choir (Nananananana)
So will someone come and carry me home (Nananananana)Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunTonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sunSo if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I’ll carry you home tonight
I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you’re trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies, you know”
Author Description
There are 4 comments. Add yours
Huh, interesting catch. I've never really understood what he was saying there - I think I've always put the word "cigar" where the word is actually "scar." Well, that's pop music for you. I'm pretty sure the song "Beauty and a Beat" features Nicki Minaj talking about drugging and raping Justin Bieber. Haven't really heard any outrage about it. It's nuts.
It might be talking about an emotional scar left by her ex? And the 'so if by the time the bar closes you feel like falling down' might be referring to the woman leaving the bar missing her ex, and feeling emotionally low?
But these things are always open to interpretation!
Given the video, likely to be scar from a party that got out of hand. So drink/drug-fuelled violence.
I agree that the 1st verse is cringe-inducing - you analyzed it perfectly. If the video didn't contain at least 2 clear images of male-on-female violence (it ends with a guy cracking a girl over the head with a stool, FFS!) - I might be swayed by the argument that the song is trying to 'shine a light on domestic violence', or something in that vein. The problem is no-one (the band, the promoters, the music press) seems to be even making that argument! It's chilling to think that this insidious message is sliding into pop culture on the back of a seemingly-upbeat, advertisment-ready little ditty that is now the biggest thing since Gagnam....