Fun We Are Young Meaning and Review

Burner Records
Sep 17
6 min read

Updated: Oct 1

Fun.’s “We Are Young” is a quintessential indie pop anthem that captures the exhilarating and sometimes chaotic energy of youth. From the opening line, Nate Ruess’ breathy, emotive vocals immediately draw listeners into a night filled with revelry, mistakes, and the comfort of friendship. The track’s blend of soaring choruses, piano driven melodies, and subtle electronic elements gives it a timeless vibe that feels both celebratory and introspective, perfectly balancing the thrill of living in the moment with the weight of real life struggles.

Lyrical Honesty and Relatability

Lyrically, the song excels at storytelling, chronicling a wild night out where camaraderie becomes a lifeline. Ruess’ personal experience with his worst drinking night informs the lyrics, giving them authenticity and relatability. Lines like “Give me a second, I need to get my story straight” and “I know you’re tryin’ to forget / But between the drinks and subtle things / The holes in my apologies / You know I’m tryin’ hard to take it back” capture the messy, vulnerable side of youth while also emphasizing the importance of friends who help carry us through. The narrative’s honesty is a key part of the song’s universal appeal.

Musical Impact

Musically, “We Are Young” is crafted for maximum impact. The pre chorus and chorus build with cinematic intensity, creating a sense of release that resonates with listeners. The refrain “Tonight, we are young / So let’s set the world on fire / We can burn brighter than the sun” is both anthemic and euphoric, embodying the fleeting intensity of youth while encouraging listeners to embrace the moment. Janelle Monáe’s featured vocals add texture and depth, emphasizing the communal, celebratory aspect of the track.

Cultural Significance

The song’s rise to prominence highlights its cultural significance. Originally released in fall 2011, a cover on Glee and a Super Bowl advertisement propelled it to mainstream success, eventually topping the Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. Its success not only solidified fun.’s position in the pop landscape but also helped bring indie pop into mainstream radio, bridging the gap between alternative and commercial music. Over a decade later, its diamond certification by the RIAA is a testament to its enduring popularity.

Enduring Legacy

“We Are Young” stands as a timeless pop anthem that celebrates the highs and lows of youth with equal measure. Its lyrical sincerity, soaring production, and infectious energy make it a track that resonates across generations, reminding listeners of nights they will never forget and the friends who help make them bearable and unforgettable. For anyone looking for a song that captures the essence of living fully, fun.’s “We Are Young” remains a shining example of pop music at its most heartfelt and anthemic.

Listen To Fun We Are Young

Fun We Are Young Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of We Are Young by Fun is a celebration of youth, friendship, and the reckless intensity of living in the moment, even amidst mistakes and emotional scars. The song captures the vulnerability and euphoria that come with nights spent in excess, portraying both the highs of communal joy and the lows of personal regret. Nate Ruess’ lyrics intertwine storytelling and emotional honesty, reflecting real-life experiences while emphasizing the importance of support from friends and loved ones. Through its soaring choruses and evocative imagery, the song conveys that even when life feels chaotic, the connections we share and the moments we embrace define the essence of being young.

Opening Verse

In the opening line, “Give me a second I, I need to get my story straight,” Nate Ruess uses a triple entendre. He literally asks for a second “I,” which he receives immediately in the repetition. He also asks for a literal second, the pause created by the comma giving him a moment to breathe and organize his thoughts. Finally, “I” can be pronounced as “eye,” suggesting a desire for a second perspective to see his story more clearly. The following line, “My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State,” combines hyperbole and cultural reference. The Empire State Building, once the tallest building in the world at 1,454 feet, symbolizes the extreme height of his friends’ intoxication. “Getting high” refers to drug or alcohol use, emphasizing the recklessness of the night.

The lines “My lover, she is waiting for me just across the bar / My seat's been taken by some sunglasses askin' 'bout a scar, and” introduce tension and guilt. “Sunglasses” can be interpreted as slang for police officers, reflecting scrutiny or authority, while the “scar” is emotional rather than physical, representing past hurt. This imagery conveys the narrator’s guilt and fear of judgment for his actions. He continues, “I know I gave it to you months ago / I know you're tryin' to forget / But between the drinks and subtle things / The holes in my apologies / You know, I'm tryin' hard to take it back,” highlighting the struggle to make amends. Apologies alone are insufficient, and he conveys the difficulty of repairing emotional damage while under the influence.

Pre-Chorus

The pre-chorus, “So if by the time the bar closes / And you feel like fallin' down / I'll carry you home,” transitions from introspection to action. Ruess promises support through his actions rather than words, reflecting loyalty, love, and friendship.

Chorus

In the chorus, “Tonight / We are young / So let's set the world on fire / We can burn brighter than the sun,” he captures the recklessness, overconfidence, and intensity of youth. The sun symbolizes a nearly impossible standard, illustrating the narrator’s belief that he and his companions can achieve the extraordinary, even while intoxicated. There is also a subtle political reference, with the line reflecting the bold, sometimes arrogant nature of America.

Second Verse

In the second verse, “Now 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,” Ruess admits his limitations within relationships while contemplating the repetitive nature of mistakes. “But our friends are back, so let's raise a toast / 'Cause I found someone to carry me home” juxtaposes self-awareness with reliance on community. It emphasizes that while personal flaws exist, the support of friends and companions allows for resilience, trust, and shared celebration.

Bridge

The bridge, “Carry me home tonight / Just carry me home tonight,” repeated throughout, reinforces themes of vulnerability, trust, and reconciliation. Being “carried home” reflects both romantic and platonic support. The line “The moon is on my side, I have no reason to run” suggests confidence and ownership of the night, while “The angels never arrived, but I can hear the choir” underscores that human connection, rather than divine intervention, provides solace and guidance.

Outro

The outro repeats, “So if by the time the bar closes / And you feel like fallin' down / I'll carry you home tonight,” bringing the narrative full circle. Despite recklessness, guilt, and chaos, steadfast support remains a central theme, leaving the listener with the song’s celebratory, anthemic, and emotionally resonant message intact.

Fun We Are Young Lyrics

[Verse 1: Nate Ruess]

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 is waiting for me just across the bar

My seat's been taken by some sunglasses askin' 'bout a scar, and

I know I gave it to you months ago

I know you're tryin' to forget

But between the drinks and subtle things

The holes in my apologies

You know, I'm tryin' hard to take it back

[Pre-Chorus: Nate Ruess]

So if by the time the bar closes

And you feel like fallin' down

I'll carry you home

[Chorus: Nate Ruess]

Tonight

We are young

So let's set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

Tonight

We are young

So let's set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

[Verse 2: Nate Ruess]

Now 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 home

[Chorus: Nate Ruess]

Tonight

We are young

So let's set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

Tonight

We are young

So let's set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun