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
Say Anything
Will Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
End of the day
I'm quite sure that more is one thing that won't get in the way
One thing that won't get in the way
Everybody wants just a little piece
Everybody wants to find a way to get by, get by, get by
Are you getting ready for your big release
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
(Won't you give me something)
Fallen angels give a name to the people that they used to be
Used to be
Some angels play a game to see if they can feel the same as you and me, same as you and me
Everybody wants just a little piece
Everybody wants to find a way to get by, get by, get by
Are you getting ready for your big release
Are you ever in your life gonna try and be easier, easier to me
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
(Won't you give me something)
Keep it friendly, fine about it
Want and ending, cry about it
Keep it friendly, fine about it
Want and ending, cry about it
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
(Won't you give me something)
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
(Won't you give me something)
The lyrics of "Say Anything" by Will Young touch on themes of communication, relationships, and emotional vulnerability. In the song, the singer expresses a desire for open and honest communication in their relationship, specifically asking for the simple things that won't hinder their connection. They acknowledge that more is not necessary, as long as they can find a way to get by together. The repetition of "get by, get by, get by" in the chorus emphasizes this need to find a way to navigate their relationship and make it work.
The song also highlights the universal desire for understanding and acceptance. The singer notes that everyone wants a small piece of something, and everyone wants to find their own way to survive and make it through life. The lyrics imply that the person they are addressing might have a big release or a break from their struggles, but asks if they will ever attempt to make their relationship easier and more manageable.
The repeated request to "say anything" suggests a longing for the other person to express their feelings openly and without reservation. The singer is seeking reassurance that their counterpart will keep the relationship friendly and not make it overly complicated. They want an ending that won't make them cry and hope for a willingness to communicate and resolve any issues that may arise.
The mention of fallen angels indicates a desire to reclaim lost innocence or a sense of self. The narrato
Line by Line Meaning
All I'm asking for is not that much at the end of the day
I just want a simple request to be fulfilled when the day comes to an end
End of the day
When the day is over
I'm quite sure that more is one thing that won't get in the way
I am confident that additional things won't hinder the situation
One thing that won't get in the way
There is something that won't obstruct or interfere
Everybody wants just a little piece
Everyone desires a small portion or part
Everybody wants to find a way to get by, get by, get by
Everyone is striving for a method to cope or survive
Are you getting ready for your big release
Are you preparing for a significant moment of liberation or freedom
Are you ever in your life gonna try and be easier, easier to me
Will you ever make an effort to become simpler or less complicated for my sake
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Assure me that you will maintain a friendly demeanor and not have any negative reactions towards it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Express that you desire a conclusion without shedding any tears over it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Utter any words, express yourself freely
Fallen angels give a name to the people that they used to be
Angels who have lost their way assign identities to their previous selves
Used to be
In the past
Some angels play a game to see if they can feel the same as you and me, same as you and me
Certain angels engage in a game to determine if they can experience emotions similarly to us
Keep it friendly, fine about it
Maintain a friendly attitude and be okay with it
Want an ending, cry about it
Desire a conclusion but don't shed tears over it
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Express that you will maintain a friendly demeanor and not have any negative reactions towards it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Declare that you desire a conclusion without shedding any tears over it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Utter any words, express yourself freely
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Assure me that you will maintain a friendly demeanor and not have any negative reactions towards it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Express that you desire a conclusion without shedding any tears over it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Utter any words, express yourself freely
Say you'll keep it friendly and you'll be fine about it
Assure me that you will maintain a friendly demeanor and not have any negative reactions towards it
Say you want an ending and you won't cry about it
Express that you desire a conclusion without shedding any tears over it
Say anything, say anything, say anything
Utter any words, express yourself freely
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Matthew Marston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind