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
You Are
Will Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring it on, oh yeah
Here we go again
It seems like all we do is stand around the edge
Tell me how, how do we get on when we don't even talk?
The cards are on the table, I'm tired of playing in this game
There's no way that you're happy baby
One minute we are up and then we're down
We goin' round and I doubt that you're happy baby
Are you happy baby?
Oh, I heard about the fun that other people have
And I feel so left out, I feel so upset
That clearly we must lack that certain special thing
So why is it your turn? I'm tired of playing in this game
Tell me what you want 'cause you never say
There's no way that you're happy baby
One minute we are up and then we're down
We goin' round and I doubt that you're happy baby
Are you happy baby?
There's no way I can tell you, yeah
Tell me what you want, tell me what you need, oh yeah
There's no way, oh you're happy with me, oh
Round and I doubt that you're happy baby, that you're happy baby
Tell me what you want 'cause you never say
There's no way that you're happy baby
One minute we are up and then we're going down
We goin' round and I doubt that you're happy baby
Are you happy baby?
The song 'Are You Happy' by Will Young is a reflection of a relationship that has lost its spark. The lyrics are filled with questions, doubt, and frustration about the state of the relationship, indicating that it's on the brink of ending. In the opening lines, the singer is confident and ready to face whatever comes his way. However, as the song progresses, he reveals his insecurities about the relationship, which has become stale and mundane, with no communication.
The line "Tell me what you want 'cause you never say" shows the lack of communication in the relationship, and the singer's frustration with the situation. He desires to know what his partner wants and needs, but they never express themselves. He can sense that his partner is not happy and doubts that she ever was. The line "There's no way that you're happy baby" supports this, indicating that he has observed her patterns and behaviours closely enough to know that she is not content.
Furthermore, the lyrics "Oh, I heard about the fun that other people have And I feel so left out, I feel so upset" reflects his frustration of feeling inadequate compared to others who are enjoying their seemingly happy relationships. Overall, the song 'Are You Happy' is an honest and emotional look at the challenges and realities of modern relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Bring it on, oh yeah
Eager for a challenge or opportunity
Here we go again
A sense of repetition or frustration in a situation
It seems like all we do is stand around the edge
Feeling stagnant in a situation, not making progress
Tell me how, how do we get on when we don't even talk?
Not communicating effectively with one another
The cards are on the table, I'm tired of playing in this game
Tired of the lack of progress and transparency in the situation
Tell me what you want 'cause you never say
Lack of clear communication and understanding of each other's desires
There's no way that you're happy baby
Doubt about the other person's happiness in the situation
One minute we are up and then we're down
The highs and lows of the situation
We goin' round and I doubt that you're happy baby
Cycling through the same issues with no resolution
Are you happy baby?
Directly questioning the other person's happiness
Oh, I heard about the fun that other people have
FOMO or jealousy of others' experiences
And I feel so left out, I feel so upset
Feeling excluded from a desired experience
That clearly we must lack that certain special thing
Believing that something is missing in the relationship
So why is it your turn? I'm tired of playing in this game
Frustration with lack of progress or fairness in the situation
There's no way I can tell you, yeah
Admitting to the inability to fully understand or communicate emotions
Tell me what you want, tell me what you need, oh yeah
Asking for clear communication and understanding from the other person
There's no way, oh you're happy with me, oh
Doubt about the other person's true feelings
Round and I doubt that you're happy baby, that you're happy baby
Reiterating the doubt about the other person's happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIN YOUNG, MAXX SONG, BRIAN CHO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john ford
Cut to the chase, your pretty face
Search outer space, leaving no trace
Making love in the heavens above
Flying so high, you and I
You and I, You and I
[Chorus]
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinking 'bout you
You turn my life around
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinking 'bout you
You turn my life around
Time standing still, inch time to kill
Cheating the wheel, there are moments to steal
So another day gets brushed away
Pre-occupied, you and I
You and I, you and I.
[Repeat Chorus]
Yeah, yeah. Oh-oh yeah
Making love in the heavens above
Flying so high, you and I
[Repeat Chorus to fade]
Boyd Koers
Cut to the chase
Your pretty face
Search out a space
Leaving no trace
Makin' love in the
Heavens above
Flying so high
You and I
You and I
You and I
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Time standin' still
Inch time to kill
Cheatin' the wheel
There are moments to steal
So another day
Gets brushed away
Preoccupied
You and I
You and I
You and I
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Making love in the
Heavens above
Flying so high
You and I
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Can't get my head around you
Can't bear to be without you
Can't stop from thinkin' bout you
You turn my life around
Anna Adams
Still one of my favourite Will Young songs ever ❤️
David A
This is one of Will's best songs without doubt.
London Loves
17 years later - still a classic.
Leyla Özmen
Finally found it😍 love this song❤️ 2019 and still listening 🤗
dinnae
Hadn't heard this song in 10 years, probably, but it just popped into my head while making tea. I'm glad it did.
Adam J
All these years later and i still love this song.
Carol Keenan
Lovely
Gemmie Ryan
Amazing vocals Amazing song
Randy Portwood
My absolute favourite track from the From Now On album followed by "Cruel to be Kind." Thank you, Will for sharing your amazing talent with us. I'm really looking forward to your next full-length CD.
ThaBuzzBDen
I am in love with Will's voice, have been since the start.