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
I Won't Give Up
Will Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met some pretty people
Now I know what I'm not looking for
They say its close to home
That is where you'll meet them
What I found makes it hurt the more
And ooh and now and now and now you're here
But your still no nearer
(chorus)
You might need love someday
I won't give up
Don't know don't care how long
I'm just gonna sit here till you
Come around to me oh no
I won't give up
Don't tell me should I give up
I couldn't if I knew how
I will worship you
Put you on a pedestal
And always let you know your beautiful
You're my drop of sun
Won't you let me into your life
You don't see it but I'm good for you
And oh here I go I go I go again
And I'm still no nearer
But ill hang right on because
You might need love
Someday, I won't give up
Don't know don't care
How long in just sit gonna sit here till you
Till you come around to me
Oh no I won't give up
You need me some how
I'm telling you but you don't know it
Its just matter of time
Some day you'll see
That you and me got something going on
And on and on and on
On and on
Just stop thinking that you're alright
I can't help you (repeat four times)
You might need love someday
I won't give up
Don't know don't care how long
I'm just gonna sit here till you
Come around to me oh no
I won't give up
Don't tell me should I give up
I couldn't if I knew how
(repeat four times)
In the first verse of Will Young's song I Won't Give Up, he sings about his journey in search of love. He explains that he went out to explore the world and met some beautiful people but realized he was not looking for the kind of love they had to offer. He believes that true love is closer to home and that he still feels incomplete despite finding someone. In the chorus, he resolves not to give up on the possibility of finding love, even if it takes forever. He believes he can be the perfect partner who can look after his love interest's needs and wants.
In the second verse, he sings about his deep attachment to the love interest and how he would treat them like royalty by putting them on a pedestal. He feels like he is the perfect match for the love interest, but unfortunately, they do not see him in the same light. Nevertheless, he vows to keep holding on, hoping that someday, they will see what he sees and realize that they have something special.
Overall, the song portrays the singer's determination to hold on to love, even in the face of rejection, because he believes that he is the right person for his love interest. The lyrics are full of hope, determination, and passion that are sure to inspire anyone who is deeply in love but struggling to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
Went to see the world
I ventured out to explore and experience different parts of the world.
Met some pretty people
I encountered attractive and interesting individuals during my travels.
Now I know what I'm not looking for
Through these experiences, I have realized what I do not want in a romantic partner.
They say its close to home
There is belief that the person I am looking for is likely to be found within my own community.
That is where you'll meet them
People suggest that I may find my ideal partner close to home.
What I found makes it hurt the more
However, discovering someone that I care for deeply who is still not quite right for me, only makes the situation more painful.
And ooh and now and now and now you're here
At this moment, you have arrived in my life.
But your still no nearer
Unfortunately, you are not any closer to being the perfect partner for me.
I'm hanging because
Despite this, I am still hopeful and hanging on, because I care for you.
You might need love someday
I believe that there may come a time when you need love in your life.
Don't know don't care how long
I am committed to waiting for you, regardless of how long it takes.
I'm just gonna sit here till you
I will patiently remain in your life, waiting for the moment when you realize that I am the one you need.
Come around to me oh no
I hope that one day you will come around and see that I am the right partner for you.
Don't tell me should I give up
Please do not suggest that I should give up on us.
I couldn't if I knew how
Even if I wanted to give up, I do not know how to stop caring for you.
You're my drop of sun
You bring happiness and light into my life, like a ray of sunshine.
Won't you let me into your life
I hope that you will allow me to be part of your life.
You don't see it but I'm good for you
I know that I am a positive influence on your life, even if you do not yet realize it.
And oh here I go I go I go again
I keep finding myself in this situation, hoping for you to reciprocate my feelings.
And I'm still no nearer
Unfortunately, my feelings are still unrequited, and we are no closer to being together.
But ill hang right on because
Despite this, I will continue to hold on, because of my deep affection for you.
You need me some how
I believe that you require my love and support in your life.
I'm telling you but you don't know it
I am expressing my feelings to you, but you are not yet aware of them.
It's just a matter of time
I am hopeful that, with patience, we will eventually find our way to each other.
Someday you'll see
In the future, I believe that you will realize the depth of my feelings for you.
That you and me got something going on
I am confident that we have a special connection between us.
On and on and on
This feeling will persist and continue into the future.
Just stop thinking that you're alright
I hope that you will recognize that you need my love and support in your life.
I can't help you
I am unable to make you see what I see, but I will continue to care for you regardless.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILL YOUNG, EG WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind