The band consists of Nate Ruess (vocals), Andrew Dost (keyboard, bass) and Jack Antonoff (guitar, trumpet). Ruess is a former member of The Format, Andrew Dost is a former member of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff is a member of Steel Train. The band also includes touring members Nate Harold (bass), Emily Moore (keyboards, guitar) and Will Noon (drums).
The band released albums Aim and Ignite in 2009 and Some Nights in 2012. Their single We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monáe) peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
On September 14, 2010 fun. released a deluxe version of "Aim & Ignite" in both Canada and America which included the original 12 tracks, as well as two remixes by R.A.C, music videos, and a newly recorded song called Stitch Me Up.
Songfacts reports that their song We Are Young was featured on the TV show Glee during its December 6, 2011 episode "Hold On to Sixteen". It was performed after the end of Sectionals in the auditorium of McKinley High. The version by the Glee Cast debuted at #12 on the Hot 100 on the following week, spurring fun.'s original to enter the same chart at #53.
In February 2015, the band announced that they were not splitting up, but taking some time off to pursue other projects.
Believe In Me
fun. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was hoping for new shoes, the kind with the lights
I was naughty in high school, but now i'm trying to be nice
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things
(Like what kind of stuff Santa?)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
I just need one thing, please believe in me
Well, Christmas comes just once a year
I was hoping for snow shoes, or maybe a bike
But when I asked them for fun, they bought me "Aim and Ignite"
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things (Sweet Santa)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
Thanks for the memories 'cause they keep us safe and remind me that it's okay to be lonely
Please believe in me.
(Hey, Mary-Kate, what are you getting Ashley for christmas?
Um, I actually just got her a Bowflex.
Shut Up! I was gonna get her a Bowflex.
Well, do you want to go shopping for something else?
No, I'm going home.)
The lyrics to fun.'s song "Believe in Me" touch on a few different themes. The first verse sets up the idea of someone (presumably the singer) making a Christmas list that winds up being filled with things they don't really need. This can be interpreted as a commentary on consumerism around the holidays or the general idea of wanting more than what you have. The singer specifically mentions wanting "new shoes, the kind with the lights" which could be seen as a childish desire or a reference to wanting something flashy or attention-grabbing for the sake of appearances.
The second verse repeats this idea of the singer hoping for a specific gift (this time snow shoes or a bike) but receiving something else instead (the band's own album, "Aim and Ignite"). This can be read as a disappointment or frustration with not getting what you want, but also an acknowledgement that sometimes it's the unexpected gifts or experiences that end up being the most valuable.
Throughout the song, there's a thread of gratitude and humility that runs parallel to the Christmas list theme. The lyrics mention Santa being thankful for "the little things" like the reindeer and moonlight that help him do his job. The singer also mentions not being greedy and not asking for much, which could be seen as a contrast to the rampant consumerism and materialism that surround the holiday season.
One of the most interesting elements of this song is the dialogue that's included at the end of the third verse. The conversation is between two people named Mary-Kate and Ashley (presumably the Olsen twins) and adds an extra layer of meta commentary on celebrity and consumerism that feels in line with the rest of the song's themes. Additionally, this song was actually released as a bonus track on the UK edition of the band's debut album, "Aim and Ignite," which is referenced in the second verse.
Line by Line Meaning
My Christmas list is filling up with stuff I don't need
I'm realizing that having material possessions isn't the key to happiness.
I was hoping for new shoes, the kind with the lights
I'm looking for small moments of joy in my life, like the light-up shoes I wanted for Christmas.
I was naughty in high school, but now i'm trying to be nice
I've made mistakes in the past, but I'm trying to be a better person now.
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things
Santa Claus, even with all the presents he has given over the years, still appreciates the small things in life.
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
I'm grateful for the animals that help me do my job, even if they're not always recognized.
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
I rely on the beauty of the natural world to help me navigate through life.
And I won't be greedy, I don't ask for much these days
I'm learning to appreciate what I have and not always want more.
I just need one thing, please believe in me
All I really want is for someone to have faith in me and support me on my journey.
Well, Christmas comes just once a year
I'm reminding myself that the holiday season, and the good feelings that come with it, are fleeting.
I was hoping for snow shoes, or maybe a bike
I'm still hoping for small joys and little gifts, like a new pair of snow shoes or a bike.
But when I asked them for fun, they bought me 'Aim and Ignite'
I'm learning that sometimes the things I think I want or need might not actually bring me joy.
Thanks for the memories 'cause they keep us safe and remind me that it's okay to be lonely
I appreciate the memories of happier times because they can offer solace in times of loneliness.
Please believe in me.
Again, all I really want is for someone to have faith in me and support me on my journey.
Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
binaca
Lyrics:
My Christmas list is filling up with stuff I don't need
I was hoping for new shoes, the kind with the lights
I was naughty in high school, but now I'm trying to be nice
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things
(Like what kind of stuff Santa?)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
And I won't be greedy, I don't ask for much these days
I just need one thing, please believe in me
Well, Christmas comes just once a year
I was hoping for snow shoes, or maybe a bike
But when I asked them for fun, they bought me "Aim and Ignite"
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things (sweet Santa)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
Thanks for the memories 'cause they keep us safe
And remind me that it's okay to be lonely
Please believe in me
Hey, Mary-Kate, what are you getting Ashley for Christmas?
Um, I actually just got her a Bowflex
Shut Up, I was gonna get her a Bowflex
Well, do you want to go shopping for something else?
No, I'm going home
Angel Mata
En epañol Mi lista de Navidad se está llenando de cosas que no necesito
Tenía la esperanza de zapatos nuevos, de esos que tienen las luces
Yo era malo en la escuela secundaria , pero ahora estoy tratando de ser amable
Incluso Papá que está agradecido por las pequeñas cosas
( ¿Cómo qué tipo de cosas a Santa? )
Gracias a los renos que me tire de mi trineo
Gracias por la luz de la luna que me guía en mi camino
Y no voy a ser codicioso , no pido mucho en estos días
Sólo necesito una cosa, por favor, creo en mí
Bueno chistmas viene sólo una vez al año
Tenía la esperanza de raquetas de nieve , o tal vez una bicicleta
Pero cuando les pregunté por diversión, me compraron " Objetivo y Ignite "
Incluso Papá él está agradecido por las pequeñas cosas ( Dulce Santa)
Gracias a los renos que me tire de mi trineo
Gracias por la luz de la luna que me guía en mi camino
Gracias por la causa de los recuerdos " que nos mantienen a salvo y me recuerdan que está bien estar solo
Por favor, cree en mí.
(Hey , Mary- Kate , ¿qué quieres decir Ashely para la Navidad ?
Um , en realidad sólo le dieron un Boflex .
Shut Up ! Iba a comprarle un Boflex .
Bueno, ¿quieres ir a comprar algo más?
No, me voy a casa . )
dino nuggies
Such an underrated band
justin toland
Andrew's voice is severely underrated.
Hannah
THANK YOU
timemac12
I love Nate and Andrew duets
martialpanda
i love it. even though i do agree it is quite different from their normal songs
WhippetHugs
Great song to convert the little ones into well adjusted adolescents with great taste in music, unlike a majority of their peers! Er, I mean, great song to let young children listen to.
Megan
"Hey, Mary-Kate, what are you getting Ashely for christmas? Um, I actually just got her a boflex. Shut Up! I was gonna get her a boflex. Well, do you want to go shopping for something else? No, I'm going home." Why is fun. so awesome?
binaca
Lyrics:
My Christmas list is filling up with stuff I don't need
I was hoping for new shoes, the kind with the lights
I was naughty in high school, but now I'm trying to be nice
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things
(Like what kind of stuff Santa?)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
And I won't be greedy, I don't ask for much these days
I just need one thing, please believe in me
Well, Christmas comes just once a year
I was hoping for snow shoes, or maybe a bike
But when I asked them for fun, they bought me "Aim and Ignite"
Even Santa he is thankful for the little things (sweet Santa)
Thanks to the reindeer that pull me on my sleigh
Thanks for the moonlight that guides me on my way
Thanks for the memories 'cause they keep us safe
And remind me that it's okay to be lonely
Please believe in me
Hey, Mary-Kate, what are you getting Ashley for Christmas?
Um, I actually just got her a Bowflex
Shut Up, I was gonna get her a Bowflex
Well, do you want to go shopping for something else?
No, I'm going home
llama_tatertot
It’s Christmas Eve 2019. Why am I JUST finding this song? 😱
farah wut
haha i really love when nate was like "No, I'm going home"