Carry On (Fun song)

"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" and the Portuguese telenovela "Destinos Cruzados" (2013/14). A shortened version is performed in the second season of "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" (2021).
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 three 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 over a million downloads as of April 2013.