Born Grace Martine Tandon -- "daya" is the Hindi word for "grace" in a nod to her Indian grandfather -- and raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon, she began taking piano lessons at the age of three, and moved on to voice lessons at the age of ten. Songwriting came later, and in 2014 she signed with the Z-Entertainment label based on her demos. A year later, her single "Hide Away" took off thanks to early online support, becoming a hit across the globe and receiving multi-platinum certification. In 2015, Daya issued her debut self-titled EP on Artbeatz. Both "Hide Away" and the follow-up, double-platinum single "Sit Still, Look Pretty" rose to the Top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, with a number 14 debut on the Heatseekers chart. She later contributed vocals to the Chainsmokers' enduring 2016 smash "Don't Let Me Down" (which went on to win the Grammy for Best Dance Recording). Daya's debut, Sit Still, Look Pretty, was released later that year. The album peaked in the Top 40 in the U.S. and Canada, and was eventually certified gold in the U.S. and silver in the U.K.
In 2017, she appeared on the Gryffin and Illenium track "Feel Good," later releasing her own singles "Safe" and "New," the latter of which became a modest hit in the U.S. and Australia. This marked the start of a multi-year period of standalone single, collaboration, and EP releases. Of the dozen or so fresh tracks that she would release at the turn of the decade, 2019's electronic-dance bop "Insomnia," "Wanted" with NOTD, and "Keeping It in the Dark" from the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack made dents on international charts and streaming services. In 2021, she issued her second EP, The Difference, which included the electro-pop banger "First Time" and the Charlie Puth-assisted hit "Bad Girl." Also that year, she delivered the non-album single, "What If I Told You," and "Evil" from the Blade Runner: Black Lotus anime soundtrack. Another single, the sultry and dance-oriented "Love You When You're Gone," arrived in June 2022 as the first track off her third EP, In Between Dreams. In 2023, Daya revealed that she had become a fully independent artist, gaining control over her sound and image. That year, she began a steady rollout of singles, dropping one every few weeks, starting with June's trip-hop-leaning "Juliene." ~ Neil Z. Yeung
We Are
Daya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the air we like to breathe
Breaking your ties, crossing your lines
Leaping over boundaries
There's never been a mold that you could fit us in
Doing what we're born to do is not a sin
'Cause we are gonna be, we are gonna be who we are
Never put a we, never put a we in the box
Gotta let it go 'cause I'm telling you we won't stop
Because we are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
Make our own rules, sticking like fools
Dare you to call the police
We can skip school 'cause we're too cool
To be told we can't be free
You can go ahead and try to knock us out
Ain't no keeping us from doing what we love
'Cause we love it too much
We are gonna be, we are gonna be who we are
Gotta let it go 'cause I'm telling you we won't stop, won't stop
Because we are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
We don't hear what you're saying
Being us is okay and
We don't hear what you're saying
Being us is okay and
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
We are, you know who we are
Daya's song "We Are" is an empowering anthem for people who believe that they can be whoever they want to be and not worrying about how society thinks they should be. The song celebrates the sense of freedom that comes with being young, carefree, and defiant. The lyrics suggest the act of breaking free of society's expectations and living for oneself. Daya sings about staying out late, running red lights, breaking ties and crossing lines because that is the air they like to breathe. The act of leaping over boundaries is another way of saying that they're not afraid to challenge the status quo and push back against societal norms. The song's theme revolves around the need to be authentic, unapologetic, and true to oneself.
"We Are" is Daya's third single released in 2018, and was co-written with Brett McLaughlin and Nolan Lambroza. Produced by Lambroza, the song marks a departure from Daya's previous ballads that focused more on love and relationships. "We Are" features a pulsing beat, bombastic synths, and Daya's powerful vocals. The song's structure is simple, with Daya repeating the chorus four times, emphasizing the message of self-assurance and liberation. The pre-chorus sees Daya challenging societal norms and encouraging listeners to break free from the mold imposed by society.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay out late night, running red lights
We enjoy living life on the edge by breaking the rules and taking risks.
That's the air we like to breathe
This dangerous, thrill-seeking lifestyle is what makes us feel alive and fulfilled.
Breaking your ties, crossing your lines
We don't follow society's expectations or conform to traditional norms.
Leaping over boundaries
We constantly challenge ourselves and push past our limits.
There's never been a mold that you could fit us in
Our unique personalities and individualities can't be defined by anyone's standards or expectations.
Doing what we're born to do is not a sin
We embrace our true selves and follow our passions without feeling ashamed or guilty about it.
'Cause we are gonna be, we are gonna be who we are
We refuse to conform to anyone's expectations or standards and instead stay true to ourselves.
We don't really care, we don't really care what you want
We prioritize our own desires and passions over anyone else's opinions or expectations.
Never put a we, never put a we in the box
We won't let anyone else define who we are or limit us in any way.
Gotta let it go 'cause I'm telling you we won't stop
No matter how hard anyone tries to hold us back or put us down, we will keep moving forward and pursuing our dreams.
We are the young, we are the world
Despite our youthful age and lack of life experience, we are powerful and capable of changing the world.
You know who we are
Our unique identities and personalities are impossible to ignore or forget.
Make our own rules, sticking like fools
We take pride in our ability to think for ourselves and make our own decisions, even if they might seem foolish to others.
Dare you to call the police
We are not afraid of authority figures or consequences, and will do whatever it takes to stand up for our beliefs and desires.
We can skip school 'cause we're too cool
We won't let anyone else dictate our lives or force us to do things we don't want to do, even if it means breaking the rules.
To be told we can't be free
We believe that true freedom comes from being ourselves and pursuing our passions, rather than conforming to others' expectations or following the rules.
You can go ahead and try to knock us out
We are ready and willing to face any obstacles or challenges that come our way, and won't let anyone bring us down.
Ain't no keeping us from doing what we love
We are unstoppable when it comes to pursuing our passions and staying true to ourselves, no matter what obstacles we may face.
Being us is okay and
We embrace our unique identities and personalities as valid and worthy of respect and acceptance.
We don't hear what you're saying
We won't let anyone else's opinions or expectations distract us from our own goals and desires.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Grace Martine Tandon, Gino Maurice Barletta, Scott Bruzenak, Jonas Jeberg, Britten Newbill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dinalestarisimanjuntak7492
Stay out late night, running red lights
That's the air we like to breathe
Breaking your ties, crossing your lines
Leaping over boundaries
There's never been a mold that you could fit us in
Doing what we're born to do is not a sin
'Cause we are gonna be, we are gonna be who we are
We don't really care, we don't really care what you want
Never put a we, never put a we in the box
Gotta let it go 'cause I'm telling you we won't stop
Because we are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
Make our own rules, sticking like fools
Dare you to call the police
We can skip school 'cause we're too cool
To be told we can't be free
You can go ahead and try to knock us out
Ain't no keeping us from doing what we love
'Cause we love it too much
We are gonna be, we are gonna be who we are
Gotta let it go 'cause I'm telling you we won't stop, won't stop
Because we are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
We don't hear what you're saying
Being us is okay and
We don't hear what you're saying
Being us is okay and
We might be reckless, but we're gonna do just what we do 'cause
We are, we are, we are, we are
We are the young, we are the world
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
You know who we are
We are, you know who we are
@fragileasglass3192
You know an artist is extremely talented when their whole album is absolutely amazing and there's no song you don't like. <3
@hangtentech
Fragile As Glass p
@mangopulp7442
I remember listening to this album when it came out. Now I'm revisiting this and I still love this album.
@smhyuss3775
Daya and alessia cara should do a collab together
@cursedsapphic4523
omg yasssss
@jordynnadler7577
hannah hussain I couldn't agree more
@dari9616
hannah hussain Alessia and Daya's voices would go together so well.
@500summerdays9
hannah hussain
🅘🅚🅡
@beatriceyew6156
hannah hussain imagine this and wild things by alessia cara
@UrkoEnglish
I want this to be her next single please ! This deserves to be famous like don't let me down