Some Nights (song)

"Some Nights"
Single by fun.
from the album Some Nights
Released June 4, 2012
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011
Genre
Length 4:37 (album version)
3:58 (radio edit) [promo only]
Label Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Jeff Bhasker
fun. singles chronology
"We Are Young"
(2011)		 "Some Nights"
(2012)		 "Carry On"
(2012)

"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 album Some Nights. The song was written by Jeff Bhasker, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, and Jack Antonoff. Musically "Some Nights" is an indie pop song with elements of power pop and afrobeat 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 US, after their previous single, "We Are Young". "Some Nights" was also successful in countries around the world.

Composition and lyrical interpretation

Musically, "Some Nights" is an indie pop song with strong, festive elements of power pop and afrobeat and influences from folk rock. It 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 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.[1] 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."[2] 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."[3]

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."[4][5] Many critics have noted significant similarities between "Some Nights" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia."[6][7] Ruess commented that Simon's Graceland (1986) was an influence on the song in an interview with Billboard.[3]

Critical reception

The song received acclaim from music critics. 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 released on MTV.com on June 4, 2012. The video was produced by Poonam Sehrawat and directed by Anthony Mandler. The video shows a fictional battle taking place during the American Civil War and shows the band singing from afar as war breaks out with lead singer Nate appearing as the commander of the Union force. The story also follows two particular soldiers, one from each side of the conflict. From the Confederacy, the song follows a middle-aged farmer clearly in love with his life, land and animals, while from the Union side the story follows two young lovers torn apart as the young man heads off to the fight. The broken loves, of beauty and of nature, eventually clash in the battle with consequences for both the loser and winner, showing that the personal costs of war will continue far beyond the battleground.

Credits and personnel

Usage in media

"Some Nights" appeared in the series finale of Harry's Law, and has been used in television spots for the American Broadcasting Company 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, and The Jonathan Ross Show.

On November 3, 2012, the band performed "Some Nights" and " Carry On" on Saturday Night Live.[13]

The Chicago Blackhawks use the song as a backing track in several promotional montages.[14][15]

It was used in a trailer for the film Wreck-It Ralph involving the dramatic scenes of the film.

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.

In 2013, Australian singer Taylor Henderson recorded a version for his album Taylor Henderson.

Darren Criss, Chord Overstreet, Becca Tobin, Melissa Benoist, Jacob Artist, & Blake Jenner covered the song on season 4, episode 7 of Glee, titled Dynamic Duets.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–13) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 42
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[19] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] 37
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[21] 8
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 4
Canada: Alternative Rock[23] 8
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[24] 6
Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] 12
Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[26] 8
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[27] 11
France (SNEP)[28] 37
Germany (Official German Charts)[29] 25
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 6
Israel (Media Forest)[31] 1
Italy (FIMI)[32] 9
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[33] 69
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[34] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[36] 17
Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[37] 10
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 98
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 15
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[42] 3
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[43] 6
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[44] 5
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 1
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[46] 1
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[47] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 2
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[49] 40
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[50] 3
Venezuela (Record Report)[51] 91

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[54] 5× Platinum 400,000^
Italy (FIMI)[55] Platinum 30,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] 2× Platinum 30,000*
Sweden (GLF)[57] Platinum 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[58] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Gold 400,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[60] 6× Platinum 5,000,000[12]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
Australia (ARIA) 15
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[61] 27
Israel (Media Forest)[62] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 9
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[63] 77
US Billboard Hot 100[64] 14
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[65] 13
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[66] 17
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[67] 8
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[68] 30
Chart (2013) Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[69] 53
US Billboard Hot 100[70] 58

Cover versions

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.[71] Released on Jake Coco's YouTube channel on August 11, 2012, by October 13, 2012 this cover version received 4,532,233 views in 64 days.[72] 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".[73][74]

A cappella group Straight No Chaser released a mashup of this song and "We Are Young" for their 2013 album Under the Influence.[75]

The song was covered The Band Perry in concert from Jackson MI We Are Pioneers World Tour 2013 with mashup "Night Gone Wasted"[76]

South African singer Bobby van Jaarsveld performed a version live on Jacaranda FM in April 2013.[77]

References

  1. ↑ A Band Called Fun., With a Period - New York Times (Released March 10, 2012. Accessed January 5, 2013)
  2. ↑ Some Nights by Fun. - Songfacts (accessed January 23, 2013)
  3. 1 2 Gary Graff (April 5, 2012). "What's Next for Fun.? Next Single Has Paul Simon Roots". Billboard.
  4. ↑ OurNameIsFun: your weekly reminder... - Twitter (sent November 18, 2012)
  5. ↑ your weekly... - Fun's Facebook page (posted November 18, 2012)
  6. ↑ - FUN: Some Nights sounds like Simon and Garfunkel: Cecilia (accessed September 20, 2013)
  7. ↑ Giles, Jeff. "Simon and Garfunkel vs. fun. – Song Parallels". Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "fun.: Some Nights (Official Music Video)".
  9. ↑ Simpson, Dave (May 24, 2012). "Fun: Some Nights – review | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ Ray, Rahman (February 2, 2012). "Review: Some Nights". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2012".
  12. 1 2 Grein, Paul (2014-03-05). "Chart Watch: Pharrell "Happy" Despite Oscar Loss". Yahoo Music. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ Boardman, Madeline (November 4, 2012). "Fun. On 'SNL': 'Some Nights' And 'Carry On' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  14. ↑ "We Stand for You: Cup edition Video - NHL VideoCenter - Chicago Blackhawks".
  15. ↑ "The Hawks Stand For You Video - NHL VideoCenter - Chicago Blackhawks".
  16. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  17. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Fun. – Some Nights" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Fun. – Some Nights" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  19. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Fun. – Some Nights" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  20. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Fun. – Some Nights" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  21. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Fun. – Some Nights" (in French). Ultratip.
  22. ↑ "Fun. – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Fun..
  23. ↑ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - August 21, 2012".
  24. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201249 into search.
  25. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". Tracklisten. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Chart Search Results - Euro Digital Songs 2012-09-22". Billboard.biz. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Fun.: Some Nights" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights" (in French). Les classement single.
  29. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Fun. – Some Nights". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  30. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 39, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  31. ↑ "FUN – Some Nights Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  32. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". Top Digital Download.
  33. ↑ "Chart Search Results - Japan Hot 100 Singles 2012-08-11". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  34. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fun. search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  35. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Fun. – Some Nights". Top 40 Singles.
  36. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". VG-lista.
  37. ↑ "Chart Search Results - Portugal Digital Songs 2012-10-13". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  38. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20131 into search.
  39. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". Singles Top 100.
  40. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Fun. – Some Nights". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-10-06" UK Singles Chart.
  42. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for fun..
  43. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for fun..
  44. ↑ "Fun. – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Fun..
  45. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for fun..
  46. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for fun..
  47. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for fun..
  48. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for fun..
  49. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for fun..
  50. ↑ "fun. – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for fun..
  51. ↑ "Top 100". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. 2012-12-15. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13.
  52. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  53. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 28, 2013. Enter Fun. in the field Interpret. Enter Some Nights in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
  54. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". Music Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 19, 2012. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Fun. in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  56. ↑ "NZ Top 040 Singles Chart - 17 September 2012". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Veckolista Album - Vecka 36, 7 September 2012" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan / Hitlistan.se. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  58. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Fun.; 'Some Nights')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  59. ↑ "British single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Some Nights in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  60. ↑ "American single certifications – Fun. – Some Nights". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  61. ↑ "Best of 2012: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  62. ↑ "most played songs of 2012 - By Media Forest". mako.co.il. January 2, 2012.
  63. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of 2012". BBC Radio 1. BBC Online. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  64. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  65. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Rock Songs 11-20". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  66. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Adult Pop Songs 11-20". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  67. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Alternative Songs 1-10". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  68. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Pop Songs 21-30". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  69. ↑ "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  70. ↑ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  71. ↑ 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
  72. ↑ Coco, Jake. "Some Nights - Fun - Official YouTuber Music Video - Jake Coco & Friends". Some Nights. Jake Coco: Official YouTube Channel. Archived from the original (Video) on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  73. ↑ Victoria Justice - "Some Nights" (fun. cover) on YouTube (uploaded April 25, 2013)
  74. ↑ Victoria Justice Covers fun.'s 'Some Nights' (VIDEO) - The Huffington Post (released April 26, 2013)
  75. ↑ Collar, Matt. "Under the Influence - Straight No Chaser". Allmusic. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  76. ↑ Video on YouTube
  77. ↑ http://cms.jacarandafm.com/post/video-bobby-van-jaarsveld-covers-some-nights/?content_type=gallery Retrieved 4 February 2014
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.