Carry On (Fun song)
| "Carry On" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Carry On" is a song by American indie band Fun. It was released on October 23, 2012 as the third single off their second album, Some Nights. The song was written by the band members, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff, alongside the album's producer, Jeff Bhasker.
Composition
"Carry On" has been called "a song about perseverance in hard times", which is supported by a rock-anthem sound.[1][2] The song begins with Ruess singing with faint vocals, his thoughts focused on the thought of committing suicide.[1] Ruess' faint vocals, are eventually reinforced by a large chorus and band member Jack Antonoff's guitar-playing.[3] The narrator takes refuge in a bar alongside his friends, who begin to contemplate their parents' mortality.[1] Antonoff delivers a short, 20 second "Slash-type wailing" guitar solo, which appears over two and a half minutes into the song.[3]
Music video
A music video for the song was released on October 24, 2012 featuring the band members engaging in different nightly activities in New York City. Andrew Dost created an original score for the beginning of the music video.
Critical reception
The song was very well received by critics, with them noticing a similar sound to their previous indie work. The A.V. Club reviewer Marcus Glimer called the song a "horn-fueled, thundering anthem" and that it served as a good "bridge" between their debut album, Aim and Ignite and their second album, Some Nights.[4] Dave Simpson of The Guardian compared the song to the work of Paul Simon and Billy Joel and Antonoff's guitar playing to that of Slash.[3]
Live performances
On November 3, 2012, the band was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, with Louis C.K. as host, and performed this song, alongside "Some Nights".[5]
Chart performance
"Carry On" was released on October 23, 2012 as the third single off their second album, Some Nights.
Charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[6] | 44 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[7] | 73 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 81 |
| Canada: Alternative Rock (America's Music Charts)[9] | 23 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[10] | 46 |
| Israel (Media Forest)[11] | 7 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Rock Songs (Billboard)[8] | 13 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 9 |
References
- ^ a b c McCall, Tris. "Song of the Week: fun., "Carry On"". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Rosen, Jody (1 March 2012). "fun. Some Nights > Album Review". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (May 24, 2012). "Fun: Some Nights – review | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Gilmer, Marcus (February 23, 2012). "Fun. | Music | Playlisted". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Fun. On 'SNL': 'Some Nights' And 'Carry On' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Fun. – Carry On". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Fun. – Carry On" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
- ^ a b http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/fun/chart-history/1093865?f=793&g=Singles
- ^ Rock, Canadian. "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - January 1, 2013". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 47, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 46, 2012". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
- ^ "Fun. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.