Some Nights (song)
"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.
| "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 | ||||
| ||||
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.
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"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]
Critical reception
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]
Chart performance
"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".
Music video
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 235 million times.[13]
Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals – Nate Ruess
- Piano, bass guitar, keyboards, background vocals – Andrew Dost
- Guitar, drums, background vocals – Jack Antonoff
- Keyboards, programming, background vocals – Jeff Bhasker
- Additional programming – Pat Reynolds
- Additional guest vocals – Joi Starr
- Producers – Jeff Bhasker
- Lyrics – Jeff Bhasker, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff
- Label: Fueled by Ramen
In popular culture
"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]
Charts
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
All-time charts
|
Certifications
| 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* |
| Germany (BVMI)[84] | Gold | 150,000 |
| Italy (FIMI)[85] | Platinum | 30,000* |
| Mexico (AMPROFON)[86] | Gold | 30,000* |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[87] | 2× Platinum | 30,000* |
| Sweden (GLF)[88] | Platinum | 40,000 |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[89] | Gold | 15,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[90] | Platinum | 600,000 |
| United States (RIAA)[91] | 7× Platinum | 7,000,000[12] |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Nattress, Katrina (November 22, 2019). "30 Alternative Rock Songs That Defined the 2010s". iHeartMedia. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ A Band Called Fun., With a Period – New York Times (Released March 10, 2012. Accessed January 5, 2013)
- ^ Some Nights by Fun. – Songfacts (accessed January 23, 2013)
- ^ a b Graff, Gary (April 5, 2012). "What's Next for Fun.? Next Single Has Paul Simon Roots". Billboard.
- ^ OurNameIsFun: your weekly reminder... – Twitter (sent November 18, 2012)
- ^ your weekly... – Fun's Facebook page (posted November 18, 2012)
- ^ Giles, Jeff. "Simon and Garfunkel vs. fun. – Song Parallels". Retrieved 30 September 2013.
- ^ "fun.: Some Nights (Official Music Video)".
- ^ Simpson, Dave (May 24, 2012). "Fun: Some Nights – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Ray, Rahman (February 2, 2012). "Review: Some Nights". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ "50 Best Songs of 2012".
- ^ a b Grein, Paul (2014-03-05). "Chart Watch: Pharrell "Happy" Despite Oscar Loss". Yahoo Music. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Fun.: Some Nights [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ^ Boardman, Madeline (November 4, 2012). "Fun. On 'SNL': 'Some Nights' And 'Carry On' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
- ^ Mykals, Kat (October 12, 2012). "Wreck-It Ralph Trailer Features FUN. Song [VIDEO]". WDKS. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ "We Stand for You: Cup edition Video – NHL VideoCenter – Chicago Blackhawks".
- ^ "The Hawks Stand For You Video – NHL VideoCenter – Chicago Blackhawks".
- ^ Vulpo, Michael (13 August 2012). "YouTube Stars Collaborate for Cover of Fun's 'Some Night [VIDEO]". Some Nights. Los Angeles, California: Ryan Seacrest Productions. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
- ^ Coco, Jake. "Some Nights – Fun – Official YouTuber Music Video – Jake Coco & Friends" (Video). Some Nights. Jake Coco: Official YouTube Channel. from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ Victoria Justice – "Some Nights" (fun. cover) on YouTube (uploaded April 25, 2013)
- ^ Victoria Justice Covers fun.'s 'Some Nights' (VIDEO) – The Huffington Post (released April 26, 2013)
- ^ Collar, Matt. "Under the Influence – Straight No Chaser". Allmusic. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- ^ Video on YouTube
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
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- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201249 into search.
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights". Tracklisten. Retrieved October 1, 2012}.
- ^ "Fun. Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ "Fun.: Some Nights" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Some Nights". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 30, 2012". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
- ^ "Fun. – Some Nights". Top Digital Download.
- ^ "Fun. Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fun." (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
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- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20131 into search.
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- ^ "Top 100 Singles of 2012". BBC Radio 1. BBC Online. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
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- ^ "Best of 2012 – Rock Songs 11–20". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
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- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
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- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
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- ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". Music Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (FUN.; 'Some Nights')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 19, 2012. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Some Nights" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved October 6, 2021. Type Fun in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Some Nights in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 8, 2013 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 23, 2022. Scroll to position 57 to view certification.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Fun.; 'Some Nights')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^ "British single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". British Phonographic Industry.Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Some Nights in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
External links
- "Some Nights" music video on YouTube