Some Nights ( song ) - wikipedia Some Nights ( song ) `` Some Nights '' Single by fun. from the album Some Nights Released June 4, 2012 Format Digital download Recorded 2011 Length 4 : 36 ( album version ) 4 : 00 ( radio edit ) ( promo only ) Label Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic Songwriter ( s ) Jeff Bhasker Nate Ruess Andrew Dost Jack Antonoff Producer ( s ) Jeff Bhasker fun. singles chronology `` We Are Young '' ( 2011 ) `` Some Nights '' ( 2012 ) `` Carry On '' ( 2012 ) `` 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 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 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. Contents 1 Composition and lyrical interpretation 2 Critical reception 3 Chart performance 4 Music video 5 Credits and personnel 6 Usage in media 7 Charts and certifications 7.1 Weekly charts 7.2 Certifications 7.3 Year - end charts 8 Cover versions 9 References 10 External links Composition and lyrical interpretation Musically, `` Some Nights '' is an indie pop song with strong, festive elements of power pop 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. 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. '' 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. '' 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. '' Jeff Giles, writing for Diffuser, compared the song to Simon and Garfunkel 's `` Cecilia. '' Ruess commented that Simon 's Graceland ( 1986 ) was an influence on the song in an interview with Billboard. 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. '' 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 ''. 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 ''. Rolling Stone named the song the 11th best song of 2012. 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. 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 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 Usage in Media `` 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. It also was used in trailers and advertisements promoting the Disney animated film Wreck It Ralph. The Chicago Blackhawks use the song as a backing track in several promotional montages. 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. Charts and certifications Weekly charts Chart ( 2012 -- 13 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 6 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 42 Belgium ( Ultratip Flanders ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Wallonia ) 37 Belgium ( Ultratip Wallonia ) 8 Brazil ( ABPD ) 39 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) Canada : Alternative Rock 8 Czech Republic ( Rádio Top 100 ) 6 Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 12 Europe ( Euro Digital Songs ) 8 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 11 France ( SNEP ) 37 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 25 Ireland ( IRMA ) 6 Israel ( Media Forest ) Italy ( FIMI ) 9 Japan ( Japan Hot 100 ) 69 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 9 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Norway ( VG - lista ) 17 Portugal Digital Songs ( Billboard ) 10 Slovakia ( Rádio Top 100 ) 98 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 8 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 15 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 7 US Billboard Hot 100 US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) 6 US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 5 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) US Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) 40 US Rock Airplay ( Billboard ) Venezuela ( Record Report ) 91 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) 6 × Platinum 420,000 Austria ( IFPI Austria ) Gold 15,000 Canada ( Music Canada ) 5 × Platinum 400,000 Germany ( BVMI ) Gold 150,000 Italy ( FIMI ) Platinum 30,000 New Zealand ( RMNZ ) 2 × Platinum 30,000 Sweden ( GLF ) Platinum 40,000 Switzerland ( IFPI Switzerland ) Gold 15,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Gold 400,000 United States ( RIAA ) 6 × Platinum 5,000,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone sales + streaming figures based on certification alone Year - end charts Chart ( 2012 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 15 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) 27 Israel ( Media Forest ) 5 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 9 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 77 US Billboard Hot 100 14 US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) 13 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) 17 US Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) 8 US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) 30 Chart ( 2013 ) Position Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) 53 US Billboard Hot 100 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. 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. 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 ''. A cappella group Straight No Chaser released a mashup of this song and `` We Are Young '' for their 2013 album Under the Influence. The song was covered The Band Perry in concert from Jackson MI We Are Pioneers World Tour 2013 with mashup `` Night Gone Wasted '' South African singer Bobby van Jaarsveld performed a version live on Jacaranda FM in April 2013. In August 2012, five hundred students from the Irish language college Coláiste Lurgan along with members of Irish folk - pop group Seo Linn covered the song as Gaeilge on the YouTube channel TG Lurgan. The song also appeared on the covers compilation `` TG Lurgan 2014 '' References Jump up ^ A Band Called Fun., With a Period - New York Times ( Released March 10, 2012. Accessed January 5, 2013 ) Jump up ^ Some Nights by Fun. - Songfacts ( accessed January 23, 2013 ) ^ Jump up to : Gary Graff ( April 5, 2012 ). `` What 's Next for Fun. ? Next Single Has Paul Simon Roots ''. Billboard. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ OurNameIsFun : your weekly reminder... - Twitter ( sent November 18, 2012 ) Jump up ^ your weekly... - Fun 's Facebook page ( posted November 18, 2012 ) Jump up ^ Giles, Jeff. `` Simon and Garfunkel vs. fun. -- Song Parallels ''. Retrieved 30 September 2013. Jump up ^ `` fun. : Some Nights ( Official Music Video ) ''. Jump up ^ Simpson, Dave ( May 24, 2012 ). `` Fun : Some Nights -- review Music ''. London : The Guardian. Retrieved September 30, 2012. Jump up ^ Ray, Rahman ( February 2, 2012 ). `` Review : Some Nights ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 29, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 50 Best Songs of 2012 ''. ^ Jump up to : Grein, Paul ( 2014 - 03 - 05 ). `` Chart Watch : Pharrell `` Happy '' Despite Oscar Loss ``. Yahoo Music. Retrieved March 5, 2014. Jump up ^ Boardman, Madeline ( November 4, 2012 ). `` Fun. On ' SNL ' : ' Some Nights ' And ' Carry On ' ( VIDEO ) ''. The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` We Stand for You : Cup edition Video - NHL VideoCenter - Chicago Blackhawks ''. Jump up ^ `` The Hawks Stand For You Video - NHL VideoCenter - Chicago Blackhawks ''. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratip. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in French ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in French ). Ultratip. Jump up ^ `` Brazil '' ( PDF ). ABPD. October 6, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Fun. Chart History ( Canadian Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive : Alternative Rock - August 21, 2012 ''. Jump up ^ `` ČNS IFPI '' ( in Czech ). Hitparáda -- Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201249 into search. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Tracklisten. Retrieved October 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Chart Search Results - Euro Digital Songs 2012 - 09 - 22 ''. Billboard.biz. Retrieved September 13, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Fun. : Some Nights '' ( in Finnish ). Musiikkituottajat -- IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Jump up ^ `` Chart Track : Week 39, 2012 ''. Irish Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` FUN -- Some Nights Media Forest ''. Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Jump up ^ `` Italiancharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Top Digital Download. Jump up ^ `` Chart Search Results - Japan Hot 100 Singles 2012 - 08 - 11 ''. Billboard.biz. Retrieved 20 August 2012. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Fun. '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. VG - lista. Jump up ^ `` Chart Search Results - Portugal Digital Songs 2012 - 10 - 13 ''. Billboard.biz. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` SNS IFPI '' ( in Slovak ). Hitparáda -- Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 20131 into search. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Adult Alternative Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Fun. Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Adult Pop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Alternative Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Hot Rock Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Pop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Rhythmic ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` fun. Chart History ( Rock Airplay ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 ''. Record Report ( in Spanish ). R.R. Digital C.A. 2012 - 12 - 15. Archived from the original on 2012 - 12 - 13. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2018 Singles ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` 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 Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Music Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Gold - / Platin - Datenbank ( FUN. ; ' Some Nights ' ) '' ( in German ). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Italian single certifications -- Fun. -- Some Nights '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 19, 2012. Jump up ^ `` NZ Top 040 Singles Chart - 17 September 2012 ''. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved September 17, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Veckolista Album - Vecka 36, 7 September 2012 '' ( in Swedish ). Sverigetopplistan / Hitlistan.se. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012. Jump up ^ `` The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community : Awards ( Fun. ; ' Some Nights ' ) ''. IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Enter Some Nights in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Fun. -- Some Nights ''. Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 : Canadian Hot 100 ''. Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved July 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` most played songs of 2012 - By Media Forest ''. mako.co.il. January 2, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Singles of 2012 ''. BBC Radio 1. BBC Online. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 - Rock Songs 11 - 20 ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 - Adult Pop Songs 11 - 20 ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 - Alternative Songs 1 - 10 ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 - Pop Songs 21 - 30 ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2013 : Canadian Hot 100 ''. Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2013 -- Hot 100 Songs ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013 - 12 - 13. Jump up ^ 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 Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ Victoria Justice - `` Some Nights '' ( fun. cover ) on YouTube ( uploaded April 25, 2013 ) Jump up ^ Victoria Justice Covers fun. 's ' Some Nights ' ( VIDEO ) - The Huffington Post ( released April 26, 2013 ) Jump up ^ Collar, Matt. `` Under the Influence - Straight No Chaser ''. Allmusic. Retrieved 2 November 2014. Jump up ^ Video on YouTube Jump up ^ http://cms.jacarandafm.com/post/video-bobby-van-jaarsveld-covers-some-nights/?content_type=gallery Retrieved 4 February 2014 Jump up ^ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zaq87L2tac External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics `` Some Nights '' music video on YouTube hide Fun Nate Ruess Andrew Dost Jack Antonoff Studio albums Aim and Ignite ( 2009 ) Some Nights ( 2012 ) Extended plays Before Shane Went to Bangkok : Live in the USA ( 2013 ) Singles `` We Are Young '' `` Some Nights '' `` Carry On '' Related articles Discography Awards and nominations Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Some_Nights_(song)&oldid=845164381 '' Categories : 2012 singles Fun ( band ) songs Number - one singles in Australia Number - one singles in Israel Number - one singles in New Zealand Billboard Adult Top 40 number - one singles Billboard Alternative Songs number - one singles Billboard Rock Songs number - one singles Music videos directed by Anthony Mandler Song recordings produced by Jeff Bhasker Songs written by Jeff Bhasker Songs written by Jack Antonoff 2012 songs Atlantic Records singles Fueled by Ramen singles Songs written by Nate Ruess Songs written by Andrew Dost Like Moths to Flames songs Hidden categories : Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL CS1 Spanish - language sources ( es ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) CS1 Swedish - language sources ( sv ) Articles with hAudio microformats Wikipedia articles needing clarification from February 2016 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018 All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from June 2018 Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Flanders Tip Singlechart usages for Wallonia Singlechart usages for Wallonia Tip Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadianhot100 Singlechart usages for Czech Republic Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Denmark Singlechart usages for Finland Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland Singlechart usages for Israelairplay Singlechart usages for Italy Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Slovakia Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart usages for Billboardadultalternativesongs Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Singlechart usages for Billboardadultpopsongs Singlechart usages for Billboardalternativesongs Singlechart usages for Billboardrocksongs Singlechart usages for Billboardpopsongs Singlechart usages for Billboardrhythmic Singlechart usages for Billboardrockairplay Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Certification Table Entry usages for Austria Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for Germany Certification Table Entry usages for Italy Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand Certification Table Entry usages for Sweden Certification Table Entry usages for Switzerland Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español فارسی Français Italiano עברית Nederlands Polski Português Suomi ไทย Tiếng Việt 中文 5 more Edit links This page was last edited on 9 June 2018, at 21 : 30. 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Question: who sings the song what do i stand for
Answer: Fun