Released October 23, 2012 Recorded January 2011 | Format Digital download Genre Indie rock
baroque pop | |
Length 4:38 (Album Version)
3:54 (Radio Edit) Label Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic, Elektra | ||
"Carry On" is a song by American indie pop band fun. It was released on 23 October 2012 as the third single off their second album, Some Nights. The song was written by the band members, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff, alongside the album's producer, Jeff Bhasker. It is also featured in the HGTV 2013 #LoveHome commercial and in the pilot episode of FX series Legit. The song is also featured in the 2013 documentary Bridegroom. Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for the 2015 live stage tour Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Musical.
Contents
Composition
"Carry On" has been called "a song about perseverance in hard times", which is supported by a rock-anthem sound written in F major and composed in 12/8 time. The song begins with Ruess singing with faint vocals, as he confronts a potential suicide. Ruess's quiet vocals are eventually reinforced by a large chorus and band member Jack Antonoff's guitar-playing. The narrator takes refuge in a bar alongside his friends, who begin to contemplate the mortality of the people close to them. Antonoff delivers a short, 20-second "Slash-type wailing" guitar solo, which appears over two and a half minutes into the song.
Live performances
On 3 November 2012, the band was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, with Louis C.K. as host, and performed this song, alongside "Some Nights". They also performed the song at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
Chart performance
"Carry On" was released on 23 October 2012 as the third single off their second album, Some Nights. "Carry On" is their third consecutive single to reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. It debuted at #100 on that chart and in the subsequent weeks climbed until peaking at #20. It has sold 1,337,000 downloads as of July 2013.