Young Band \"Fun\" Had Recent

¶ … young band "Fun" had recent success with the release of their song, "We Are Young" in collaboration with Janelle Monae. In addition to a variety of musical styles and movements to convey its message, the song also uses several literary elements. To convey the central idea of lovers remaining together and being each other's passion and support despite obstacles, the artists use symbolism, metaphor, and repetition.

In "We Are Young," there are several metaphors, most of which appear to focus on the strenghts of the relationship in question. Three metaphors that appear particularly important include the words fire, sun, and the idea of youth. Youth, conveyed by the line "We Are Young," is a metaphor for strength and resilience. The singer includes both himself and his partner in this assertion, implying that their youth and energy is a collective strength. The word "fire" in the line "let's set the world on fire" conveys the idea of energy as associated with the youth and culminating in the Sun as a metaphor for the extent of the youth and energy that is in the couple as a collective unit. "We can burn brighter than the sun" refers to the fact that, warm and energetic as the sun is, the couple's warmth, energy, and strength are regarded at an even higher level. This element is therefore used to carry the main message of resilience and support despite the various obstacles the couple face.

Symbolism is a second element, and used to convey some of the obstacles the couple faces. The first stanza, for example, begins with what can be regarded as a list of challenges. The "scar" that the "lover" is trying to forget, for example, symbolizes what has gone wrong between the couple. There has been some violence. She is trying to forget it and he is trying "take it back." Another symbol in the first stanza is the singer's reference to "some sunglasses." This is an interesting symbol, since it conveys more than one implied meaning. First, it clearly symbolizes what can be referred to as "coolness." The singer's seat has been taken by, presumably, a person he regards as "cooler," more handsome, or otherwise better than himself. The sunglasses attempts to replace not ony the singer's seat at his lover's side, but also his position in his life by asking about the scar. The fact that he is referred to as "some sunglasses" also alludes to the relative insecurity the singer suffers, not only as a result of the perceived coolness of the sunglasses, but also because of his own all too well-known shortcomings. He gave his lover the scar and he is "trying," and by implication not entirely succeeding, to take it back. In the same way she is "trying to forget" the scar. From both sides then, there are attempts to remedy what has gone awry in the relationship. However, starting with these shortcomings is deceptive, as the refrain and the repetition of metaphorical and symbolic meaning indicate the young singer's faith that what is left between them is stronger than sunglasses or scars. The importance of these positive elements is conveyed by means of repetition.