Young was born in Wokingham, Berkshire, UK, with a non-identical twin, Rupert. He was educated at Horris Hill preparatory school and Wellington College.
He then attended the University of Exeter where he read Politics. At university, some of Young's old haunts included Timepiece, The Old Firehouse, and Harry's, where he used to work. In September 2001, he became a student at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick, London, starting a three-year course in musical theatre with a scholarship.
In February 2002, Young came to national prominence by singing in and winning the ITV singing contest/reality tv show Pop Idol.
Contrary to popular belief, Will was not a surprise winner when beating Gareth Gates in the final show; in fact, he gained the most votes nearly every week throughout the entire finals. A lot of 'casual' viewers of Pop Idol may have been surprised at Will's victory because Gareth had got a lot of publicity (partly) due to his stutter, perhaps creating the illusion that he was more likely to win than Will.
Young's first single was a double A-side featuring Westlife's song "Evergreen" and "Anything Is Possible", a new song written for the winner of the show by Cathy Dennis. This became the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history selling 403,027 copies on its day of release. It went on to sell over 1.4 million copies and in the official list of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK issued later that year, it appeared 12th. Will subsequently made headlines by revealing he was gay. He went on to win the Brits Best Breakthrough Act Award and a plethora of other awards, including most recently Best Artist in the Digital Music Awards October 2004. Early singles of note include "Light My Fire" (done José Feliciano style), "Leave Right Now", and "Friday's Child". The latter is the title of his second album, which was largely self-penned, went five-times platinum, also receiving awards and critical acclaim.
Young received his second Brit Award in February 2005 for his co-written single "Your Game". Following sell out theatre and arena tours in 2004, he toured again at outside festival venues in Summer 2005. On July 6, 2005, he performed at Edinburgh 50,000 - The Final Push, the final concert of Live 8, where he did a duet with James Brown on "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag". His third album, Keep On was released in November 2005, together with the first single from same, "Switch It On".
On 29 September 2008, Young's fourth album, Let It Go, was released, and peaked at #2 in the UK albums chart. It was preceded by the single "Changes" on 15 September, which peaked at #10. His next single "Grace" was released on 1 December 2008, and peaked at #33 on the UK Singles Chart. Will's third single taken from the album will be "Let It Go", was released on 2 March 2009 in the UK, and peaked at #58 on the UK Singles Chart. The fourth and final single was "Tell Me the Worst", and was released on July 5, 2009 only in the UK. It served as a club promo, and featured some Fred Falke remixes.
A greatest hits collection, The Hits, was released on the 16th of November 2009. contains twelve songs from Young's first four studio albums, and two new tracks. The first is new single "Hopes & Fears", and the second is a ballad called "If It Hadn't Been for Love". The album will be released as a standard edition and a deluxe edition, which will include a DVD of all the music videos.
Songfacts reports that Jealousy, the first single from Young’s fifth studio album Echoes is a dance pop track produced by Richard X (Sugababes, Annie). The song will be released on August 21, 2011.
Young has been nominated for Ten BRIT Awards [4 x Best British Male - 4 X Best British single - Best pop Act- Best Breakthrough] . In May 2006, he was voted the UK's favourite artist ever in a poll conducted by commercial radio. In May 2007, he was voted the UK's favourite artist of all time for the second consecutive year.
Young has also broadened his repertoire by launching an acting career, taking a role in the BBC film, Mrs. Henderson Presents, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, with Will playing the character of 'Bertie'. The film went on release in the UK on 25 November 2005, and received excellent reviews, not least for Young's performance as actor and singer in the movie. It includes a scene in which he appears naked.
Will Young supports the charity Women's Aid, about which he wrote: "I am proud to put my name beside this cause and hope that I may be able to help more people affected by the terrors of domestic violence as well as help to create a wider awareness within our society."
Will also supports Mencap and Positive Action Southwest (PASW) for which he performed at his first solo concert in July 2003 at Killerton Hall, Exeter.
Official Website: http://www.willyoung.co.uk/global/home
All Time Love
Will Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause you're trying too hard, too hard to see them
And sometimes you don't find the right lines
'Cause you're trying, too hard, too hard to hear them
But you know what it feels like, 'cause you're like me
And you won't give up
Till an all time love
I want an all time love
To find me
Some days you're too set in your ways
And you forget to shut up, shut up and listen
And some days you just have to misplace all your mistakes
Somewhere that you won't miss them
So stop lying that you're fine, cause you're like me
And you can't give up
Till an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
I don't believe that it's a failure
I don't believe that it's a fault
'Cause if everything were plain sailing
Oh, tell me what would there be left to exalt
But an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
I want an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
Will Young's "All Time Love" is a song about searching for true love and not settling for anything less. The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes we miss out on great opportunities or potential relationships because we are too focused on the wrong things or too set in our ways. Young encourages listeners to keep searching for that perfect love that is worth the wait and not settle for anything less.
The verses describe the ways in which we sometimes let our own insecurities or stubbornness get in the way of finding true love. We may be trying too hard to see or hear what is right in front of us, or we may not be willing to listen to others. However, the chorus reminds us that giving up on finding an all time love is not an option because nothing else will ever be good enough.
The bridge of the song suggests that the struggles and hardships that come with searching for love are not failures or faults, but rather necessary parts of the journey. Without these challenges, we would not be able to fully appreciate and celebrate an all time love once we find it.
Overall, "All Time Love" is a powerful and optimistic anthem about the importance of holding out for true love and never settling for anything less.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes you walk by the goods ones
Sometimes, you don't notice good opportunities, things or people around you.
'Cause you're trying too hard, too hard to see them
This happens because you are focusing too hard on other things and thus losing sight of what is important right in front of you.
And sometimes you don't find the right lines
Sometimes you can't perceive words or messages you need to hear.
'Cause you're trying, too hard, too hard to hear them
This issue happens when you are overthinking and overanalyzing everything, making it more challenging for you to comprehend what you need to learn.
But you know what it feels like, 'cause you're like me
The song's speaker (Will Young) has put forward his thoughts and experiences through these lines, and believes that it might resonate with certain listeners.
And you won't give up
You will not surrender on finding the perfect love or significant other for you.
Till an all-time love
The search continues till the ideal relationship that stands the test of time is discovered.
'Cause nothing else is good enough
The artist believes that compromising for anything that is not an all-time love would be a mistake.
I want an all-time love
The artist wishes for perfect, everlasting and true love.
To find me
The search for love needs to happen and has to come looking for the artist.
Some days you're too set in your ways
There may be times when you operate in your ways, making it harder for you to consider different perspectives or ideas.
And you forget to shut up, shut up and listen
When this inner voice takes over, you may forget to listen to others, to be open or to let them in.
And some days you just have to misplace all your mistakes
You need to let go of your mistakes or past failures and move forward.
Somewhere that you won't miss them
Place your mistakes somewhere where you will not dwell on them and give them power over you.
So stop lying that you're fine, 'cause you're like me
The artist wants to connect with listeners who might feel that they have to pretend to be emotions that they don't feel. It's okay to have flaws and vulnerabilities.
And you can't give up
No matter the challenges, don't give up on finding the person that's meant for you.
I don't believe that it's a failure
The artist does not think that experiencing heartbreak or failed relationships is something to be ashamed of or labeled as a failure.
I don't believe that it's a fault
The artist does not feel that people should blame themselves for relationships ending.
'Cause if everything were plain sailing
If everything in life were easy, there wouldn't be anything to strive for or celebrate.
Oh, tell me what would there be left to exalt
Exalt here means to praise or to honor. Without challenges, difficulties, or heartbreaks, what would be left to cherish and celebrate?
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: JAMIE HARTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michele Amadei
Sometimes you walk by the goods ones
'Cause you're trying too hard, too hard to see them
And sometimes you don't find the right lines
'Cause you're trying, too hard, too hard to hear them
But you know what it feels like, 'cause you're like me
And you won't give up
Till an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
Some days you're too set in your ways
And you forget to shut up, shut up and listen
And some days you just have to misplace all your mistakes
Somewhere that you won't miss them
So stop lying that you're fine, cause you're like me
And you can't give up
Till an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
I don't believe that it's a failure
I don't believe that it's a fault
'Cause if everything were plain sailing
Oh, tell me what would there be left to exalt
But an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
I want an all time love
'Cause nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love
To find me
Garciamrcool
Very underrated song. Absolutely brilliant and sad it was not a bigger hit for him. It should have been.
Sandra Cox
Garciamrcool it went to no 2 in the singles chart and the album is a million seller so it was a big hit for him.
mark wilson
And a very under rated video…..really clever mixing Nuremberg with South American juntas
Johnny Tee
so tru very underrated was his best in my opinion. such a powerful song
Jill Crowley
Oh Will thank you for all the music over the years you are someone very special x
Chloe N
This song will be as I walk down the isle on my wedding day. I love it so much ❤
Caroline Dexter
My son bought me your album for Christmas when he was 11 or 12 years old and I still listen to it. He’s now 22 !! It’s a Classic Will 💕🙋♀️
Tanith Harris
this song gives me goosebumps every time ♡
Antomac
Just listened to this on my iphone and still believe it is one of the best pop male vocal performances of the last 20 years. Really believed it would have more views.
StephenLee UK
Agree! Think it's my favourite Will song, It's stunning and soulful. 😊