After their initial formation in 2008, their debut album "Passive Me, Aggressive You" was released on the "Somewhat Damaged" label during September 2010. The single "Young Blood" debuted at number one on the New Zealand chart - the first New Zealand artist to do so in three years. On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that The Naked and Famous had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.
Their second album, 2013's In Rolling Waves, reached the top 5 on the New Zealand Albums chart, and top 15 on the Australian Albums and US Billboard Top Alternative Albums charts. Their following album, Simple Forms, was Xayalith and Powers' first release as a two-piece. Their fourth album, Recover, was released in 2020, and peaked at 19 on RMNZ's New Zealand Artist Albums chart.
Young Blood
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We require certain skills
The mood it changes like the wind
Hard to control when it begins
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Can't help myself but count the flaws
Claw my way out through these walls
One temporary escape
Feel it start to permeate
We lie beneath the stars at night
Our hands gripping each other tight
You keep my secrets hope to die
Promises, swear them to the sky
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
As it withers
Brittle it shakes
Can you whisper
As it crumbles and breaks?
As you shiver
Count up all your mistakes
Pair of forgivers
Let go before it's too late
Can you whisper?
Can you whisper?
Can you whisper?
Can you whisper?
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Can you whisper?)
The bittersweet between my teeth
(Can you whisper?)
Trying to find the in-between
(Can you whisper?)
Fall back in love eventually
(Can you whisper?)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The Naked and Famous's Young Blood could be viewed as a universal song about youth, which is characterized by constant change and challenge. The song is about the experience of being young, having a temperamental mood, and having a hard time controlling the shifting feelings. The use of the metaphor of "bittersweet between my teeth" illustrates this experience of being in-between youth and adulthood, attempting to negotiate life with the understanding that the "in-between" is difficult to navigate.
The chorus of the song, "Trying to find the in-between, fall back in love eventually," suggests that those who are young are trying to find a place for themselves, searching for balance between being young and mature. As one grows up, one falls in and out of love with oneself and others, and it is a necessary part of moving forward to fall and rise again.
The song's bridge "As it withers, brittle it shakes; can you whisper, as it crumbles and breaks? As you shiver, count up all your mistakes; pair of forgivers, let go before it's too late; can you whisper?" expresses vulnerability, fragility, and the importance of forgiveness. The line “pair of forgivers, let go before it’s too late” is a reminder to let go of things that don't serve our existence, especially when we’re young, because the future is still unwritten.
Line by Line Meaning
We're only young and naive still
Despite our lack of experience, we have a lot to learn and discover.
We require certain skills
In order to succeed and navigate through life, we need to develop specific abilities and talents.
The mood it changes like the wind
Emotions can be unpredictable and can shift rapidly, just like the weather.
Hard to control when it begins
It can be difficult to manage our feelings when they first surface and start to take hold of us.
The bittersweet between my teeth
This refers to a feeling that is both pleasurable and painful at the same time.
Trying to find the in-between
We are attempting to strike a balance between different emotions or experiences.
Fall back in love eventually
Even if love fades or disappears for a time, it can return and rekindle on its own.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is a repeated phrase that emphasizes the following lyrics.
Can't help myself but count the flaws
It's easy to become fixated on shortcomings and weaknesses, whether in ourselves or others.
Claw my way out through these walls
We may feel trapped or confined by certain circumstances or obstacles, but we have the power to break free and overcome them.
One temporary escape
Sometimes we seek refuge or distraction from our troubles, even if it is only temporary.
Feel it start to permeate
An emotion or sensation can slowly but steadily seep into our consciousness and take hold of us.
We lie beneath the stars at night
This imagery suggests a peaceful and romantic moment shared between two individuals.
Our hands gripping each other tight
The physical act of holding hands conveys comfort, affection, and reassurance.
You keep my secrets hope to die
Trust and intimacy are present in the relationship, as one person confides in the other and expects them to keep their secrets safe.
Promises, swear them to the sky
Commitments are made and taken seriously, with the emphasis being on their importance and value.
As it withers
This could refer to a relationship or a feeling that is gradually dying or losing its vitality.
Brittle it shakes
The weakening state of the relationship or feeling causes it to become fragile and unstable.
Can you whisper
This is a plea or a request for something to be said quietly or discreetly.
As it crumbles and breaks?
The thing being referred to is now falling apart and breaking down.
As you shiver
This suggests a physical and emotional reaction to a difficult situation or realization.
Count up all your mistakes
Reflecting on past errors and misjudgments can be painful but can also be an opportunity for growth and change.
Pair of forgivers
The two people in the relationship are able to forgive each other and move forward from past wrongs.
Let go before it's too late
Ending a relationship or situation before it becomes irreparable is sometimes the best option.
(Can you whisper?)
This is a repeated phrase that emphasizes the following lyrics.
The bittersweet between my teeth
This refers to a feeling that is both pleasurable and painful at the same time.
Trying to find the in-between
We are attempting to strike a balance between different emotions or experiences.
Fall back in love eventually
Even if love fades or disappears for a time, it can return and rekindle on its own.
(Can you whisper?)
This is a repeated phrase that emphasizes the following lyrics.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is a repeated phrase that emphasizes the overall message of the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Aaron Short, Alisa Xayalith, Thom Powers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ianloffert8433
Man, the 2009-2013 era of music holds a special place in my heart.
@yvesrowe6572
No lie man 💔💔💔
@robertf1270
Damn straight! Alternative was fire.
@fogcity3662
I suspect it has something to do with the age you were at back then; or you were in a really great relationship.
@bafflinbook9345
It the era of indie music finding their wayss
to mainstream radio
@raoul7677
Yeah, I absolutely cherish those good old days
@ivanjs2855
Who in 2024?
@marconius2020
Me
@tindalowos
one of the members was a leader for a youth group i was in over a decade ago
@MyShoeFellOff
Yessir