Fireflies

Owl City

About Fireflies

"Fireflies" is the debut single from American electronica project Owl City's album Ocean Eyes. Frontman Adam Young wrote and produced the track, with Matt Thiessen also producing and providing guest vocals. Young described the song as "a little song about bugs and not being able to fall asleep at night." The song is built around a "bleepy" synthline and includes lyrics about insomnia, fireflies and summer. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks. Internationally, the song also topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. "Fireflies" was Owl City's only top forty hit in the United States until three years later when "Good Time", a duet with Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, charted at No. 8. It has been covered by Christina Grimmie, Cheryl Cole and others. "Fireflies" is featured in the video game Disney Sing It: Party Hits, and was used in the promotional video for EyePet. It is available as downloadable content for both Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, and  


Year:
2012
135 

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You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

'Cause they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude but I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread (thread, thread)

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack
Please take me away from here
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
Please take me away from here
Why do I tire of counting sheep
Please take me away from here
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell (said farewell)

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar (jar, jar)

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

(I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly)
(It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep)
(Because my dreams are bursting at the seams)

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Owl City

Owl City is an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young formed in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Young created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement. Owl City developed a following on the social networking site Myspace, like many musicians who achieved success in the late 2000s, before signing with Universal Republic in 2008. more »

6 fans

Written by: Adam R. Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release and Rankings
"Fireflies" was released by Owl City as a lead single from their debut album "Ocean Eyes" in July 2009. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the band's only number one single in the United States.
International Success
Besides the United States, the song also reached number one in Australia and the United Kingdom, showing its global appeal.
Platinum Certifications
"Fireflies" was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), highlighting its commercial success.
Insect-Infused Lyrics
The song is noted for its lyrics containing numerous metaphors and similes related to insects, particularly fireflies. This unique lyrical content made it stand out among other popular songs of the time.
Synth-Pop Genre
The song is a part of the synth-pop genre, a subgenre of pop music that uses the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument.
A Product of Insomnia
Owl City's Adam Young has stated that the song was inspired by his insomnia, with the lyrics depicting his intense desire to fall asleep.
Revenue through TV Shows and Movies
"Fireflies" has been used in various television shows and movies, such as "Dancing with the Stars", "90210" and "Smurfs: The Lost Village", providing additional revenue and exposure for the band.
Black and white Music Video
The music video for "Fireflies" presents a unique aesthetic by making it mostly in black and white where Adam Young (founder of Owl City) is shown playing various instruments.
Viral Success Years Later
Despite its release in 2009, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2017 after it became a viral trend on social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
Praised and Criticised
Though "Fireflies" was hugely popular, it also received a fair amount of criticism. Some people found it too simplistic and repetitive, while others praised it for its whimsical, dreamlike quality.

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    Fireflies

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2009

    Billboard #1


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