It was a decade ago that fun. first set the world on fire with Some Nights.
The second and, so far, final album from the trio — made up of Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost — was released February 21, 2012, 10 years ago this Monday. The now triple-platinum record spawned hit singles in “We Are Young,” “Some Nights” and “Carry On.”
Of the three, “We Are Young,” featuring guest vocals by Janelle Monáe, was the biggest, hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earning Diamond certification by the RIAA.
“We Are Young” was fun.’s first-ever song to even chart on the Hot 100, making them the first multi-member rock band to hit number one with their debut appearance on the ranking since Nickelback did it in 2001 with “How You Remind Me.”
The success of Some Nights led to fun.’s first and only performance on Saturday Night Live in 2012. At the 2013 Grammys, Some Nights was nominated for Album of the Year, and “We Are Young” won Song of the Year. while fun. also won Best New Artist.
After two years of nearly nonstop touring in 2012 and 2013, fun. played only a handful of shows in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, the trio put out a statement saying that, while they were not breaking up, they were taking time to pursue other projects. fun. hasn’t released any new music since then.
Ruess would hit number one again in 2013 with his Pink duet “Just Give Me a Reason,” and released his debut solo album, Grand Romantic, in 2015. Antonoff, who’d started his band Bleachers in 2014, has since gone on to become one of music’s most in-demand producers, working with artists including Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent and Lana Del Rey.
(“Some Nights” video contains uncensored profanity.)
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