Throwback Thursday: Andrew Dost discusses Fun.’s “We Are Young”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 21 August 2025

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week’s Throwback Thursday episode takes a walk back in time to exactly two years ago today, when Andrew Dost sat in to discuss the writing, recording, release, and massive success of Fun.’s smash hit 2012 single “We Are Young.” The song went on to become one of the biggest songs of the 2010s after an astounding eight-week run at #1 on the Hot 100, and in this conversation, Andrew details the unique songwriting process that resulted in this timeless classic. As an added treat, he even shares some never-before-heard demos of the song’s early stages. Whether you’re listening to this episode for the first time or revisiting it, it’s a fascinating look inside the mind and process of a truly one-of-a-kind artist. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kid.
0:04.3	I'll now hand you over to my best man, Eddie.
0:07.6	Wow, wow, wow. Second time's a charm, eh, Billy Boy?
0:12.0	Oh, God.
0:13.3	Substitution, courtesy of Paddy Power, embarrassing Eddie, makes way for sensible Samuel.
0:17.8	Cool, that was close.
0:19.0	You might not always pick the right starter, but your sub can still deliver.
0:21.6	Because with Paddy's super sub, your bet rolls over to the player coming on.
0:24.6	Patti power.
0:25.6	Valid on selected leagues and markets only.
0:27.6	Prematch and in-play bets on qualifying player outcome selections only.
0:29.6	T's and C's and exclusions apply.
0:31.6	18 plus, Camelware.org.
0:32.6	...just the goal of control.
0:41.1	It is a universal theme.
0:43.9	Hey everybody.
0:48.9	Krista Makes a podcast producer Chris Fafalius here once again to give you all a little context for our throwback Thursday episode.
0:52.2	This week, we're taking it back to August of 2023 when
0:55.9	Andrew Dost sat in to discuss the writing and recording of one of the biggest songs of the
1:00.9	2010s, or teens, I guess? What do you call the decade from 2010 to 2019? At this point, we need a
1:09.3	good name for it. I guess it's the 2010s. Anyway, that song is
1:13.7	Fun's We Are Young. So before we get into the episode, I wanted to take you back to St. Patrick's
	...

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