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
Get Me Dancing
Will Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're talking to angels, holding our hands
Could you pass me that coat? It's cold in the open
Making the best of what we have chosen
Wind blowing down the street
Changing, change can make it better
A second chance
Come and dance, get me dancing
Make a fire of the night
Like it's our one night together, until the light comes between us
Come and dance, get me dancing
It's hard being alive
But's it too early to go home, too early to go home
All that I need is something to do
A person to love, to look forward to
You can wear all your best things, it's only a thought
I'll wear that suit, the one you had bought
Come and dance, get me dancing
Make a fire of the night
Like it's our one night together, until the light comes between us
Come and dance, get me dancing
It's hard being alive
But's it too early to go home, too early to go home
Gotta paint a happy face on it
Now I want another, want another taste of it
Looking back, I've always made such a waste of it
It's too late to go home
So come and dance, get me dancing
Make a fire of the night
Like it's our one night together, until the light comes between us
Come and dance, get me dancing
It's hard being alive
But's it too early to go home
So come and dance, get me dancing
To dance, get me dancing
But it too early to go home, too soon to go home
In "Get Me Dancing" by Will Young, the lyrics paint a picture of a lively and vibrant scene. The opening lines suggest a setting with a sense of danger and excitement, as there is a fire on the kerb and reference to hoods and gangs. However, amidst this unease, the singer finds solace in connecting with something ethereal, symbolized by talking to angels and holding their hands. There is also a request for a coat to battle the coldness in the open, indicating a desire for protection and comfort.
The chorus expresses a longing for escape and liberation through dancing. The wind blowing down the street serves as a metaphor for change, suggesting that embracing change can lead to a better outcome. The phrase "A second chance" implies a desire to start anew or do things differently. The lyrics suggest that through dancing, the singer finds a way to overcome the challenges of being alive and experience a temporary release from the burdens of life.
The second verse delves into the singer's longing for connection and purpose. The lines indicate a desire for an active and fulfilling life, where there is something to do and someone to love and look forward to. The mention of wearing the "best things" implies a desire to present oneself in the best light, suggesting an eagerness to impress or make a good impression. The reference to a suit that was bought perhaps symbolizes a wish to embrace a new identity or persona.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the desire to dance and create a moment of joy and passion. The line "Gotta paint a happy face on it" suggests a need to put on a facade or pretend to be happy, indicating the singer's longing for genuine happiness. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and wasted opportunities, but there is also a determination to not give up or go home too early. The repeat of "too early to go home" underscores a reluctance to stop seeking joy and fulfillment.
In summary, "Get Me Dancing" explores themes of escape, liberation, connection, and embracing change. The lyrics depict a desire for release from the challenges of life through dancing and finding solace in fleeting moments of joy. The song encourages listeners to continue seeking happiness and connection, even in the face of adversity and missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a fire on the kerb, with the hoods and the gangs
In this neighborhood, there is a sense of excitement and energy, with groups of people gathering together.
We're talking to angels, holding our hands
We find solace and comfort by connecting with something greater than ourselves, seeking guidance and support.
Could you pass me that coat? It's cold in the open
Please give me that coat, as the feeling of vulnerability and exposure in this situation is causing discomfort.
Making the best of what we have chosen
We are doing our best to adapt and find satisfaction with the decisions we have made, regardless of the challenges they present.
Wind blowing down the street
A strong gust of wind is blowing through the street, representing change or transformation.
Changing, change can make it better
Embracing change can lead to improvement and positive outcomes in our lives.
A second chance
Having an opportunity to start again or make amends for past mistakes.
Come and dance, get me dancing
Join me in this joyful and liberating act of dancing, which can uplift our spirits.
Make a fire of the night
Let's ignite passion and excitement during this evening, turning it into something memorable and powerful.
Like it's our one night together, until the light comes between us
Let's live in the moment and cherish this time together, until daylight arrives and separates us from this special experience.
It's hard being alive
Life can be challenging and difficult to navigate.
But it's too early to go home, too early to go home
Even though we may be tired or tempted to retreat, it is too early to give up or withdraw from the situation.
All that I need is something to do
I simply require an activity or purpose to occupy my time and fulfill me.
A person to love, to look forward to
I desire someone to love deeply and eagerly anticipate their presence and companionship.
You can wear all your best things, it's only a thought
You are free to adorn yourself in your finest possessions, but remember it is merely a fleeting idea or concept.
I'll wear that suit, the one you had bought
I will proudly wear the suit you purchased for me, symbolizing our connection and the importance of your actions.
Gotta paint a happy face on it
We must force ourselves to display a cheerful demeanor or attitude, despite what may be happening beneath the surface.
Now I want another, want another taste of it
Having experienced a moment of happiness, I now crave another opportunity to relish in that feeling and sensation.
Looking back, I've always made such a waste of it
Reflecting on my past, I realize I have often squandered or taken for granted moments of joy or fulfillment.
It's too late to go home
The time to retreat or return home has passed; we must continue onwards without giving in to fatigue or resignation.
So come and dance, get me dancing
Therefore, I implore you to join me in dancing, reigniting my enthusiasm and energy for life.
To dance, get me dancing
By engaging in the act of dancing, I hope to rediscover my passion and zest for existence.
But it's too early to go home, too soon to go home
Although the desire to rest or withdraw may arise, it is still premature and inopportune to abandon our current endeavors.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Laire Sarah Anderson, Francis Anthony White, James Dearness Hogarth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind