Younger

"Younger" is a poignant and motivational anthem about the inexorable passage of time and the importance of living an authentic and fulfilling life. At its core, the song is a call to action, urging listeners to seize the moment ("carpe diem") because time is a finite resource. Seinabo Sey wrote the lyrics when she was 23, feeling frustrated with her own procrastination and lack of action in pursuing her musical ambitions. The lyrics explore themes of self-doubt, confusion, and the feeling of being lost, but counter this with a strong message of hope, redemption, and empowerment. It’s about recognizing that while life presents darkness and illusions, there is always a path to light and self-discovery. The recurring question, "Younger, younger, younger, are ya?" serves as a stark, repetitive reminder of mortality and the urgency to act now, to pursue dreams, and to be true to oneself rather than succumbing to societal pressures. Kygo's remix amplifies this inspirational message, transforming the soulful contemplation of the original into an uplifting, energetic track that inspires positivity and the desire to live life to the fullest.

The song opens with an acknowledgment of a personal illusion coming to an end, a realization that confusion offers no victory. It touches upon the idea of one's soul being for sale to the highest bidder, a metaphor for losing oneself to external pressures. Amidst this darkness, a sliver of light is promised. The narrative suggests that redemption is possible simply by questioning the circumstances, even if some answers are better left undiscovered because the undeniable truth is that time is always moving forward, and we are not getting any younger. This central theme is hammered home by the recurring, questioning refrain, "Younger, younger, younger, are ya?"

The song then delves into the bewilderment of human conflict, especially in the context of love, and the internal battle where the mind leaves one's heart in a state of limbo. It speaks of being lost and then found, not by a savior, but by anyone who happens to stick around, leading to a state of forgetting. However, it offers a message of hope and empowerment, assuring the listener that there is a way to be true to oneself. It insists that achieving one's dreams doesn't have to be a passive act done in sleep, but an active pursuit. The urgency to seize this opportunity is emphasized with the reminder that time is fleeting. The lyrics encourage a proactive approach to life and dreams, a call to "get it while you can, babe," because the clock is always ticking down.

In a final, defiant turn, the song posits that the light in the darkness is accessible if we collectively resist the external forces that dictate how we should live and who we should be. It’s a declaration of self-preservation and strength, a refusal to be broken by others. This act of defiance is intrinsically linked to the awareness of mortality and the passage of time. The refusal to be broken is strengthened by the knowledge that neither the protagonist nor their oppressor is immune to aging. The repetition of "You ain't getting any younger" serves as a powerful, universal truth that levels the playing field and fuels the call to live authentically and urgently.

The original song "Younger" was written by Swedish artist Seinabo Sey in collaboration with Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare, and Magnus Lidehäll, who also produced the track. Sey wrote it around the age of 21, inspired by a period of feeling "lazy and disappointed" with herself and her lack of progress in life. The song was her way of questioning her own inaction. It was her debut single, released on November 25, 2013. The Norwegian producer Kygo (Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll) created his remix in late 2013. According to Sey, her management had been seeking out remixes and emailed Kygo early on. Without receiving the official separated tracks (stems) that are usually provided for remixing, Kygo skillfully cut and manipulated the original song to create his version. He released it in December 2013, and it quickly gained traction online, becoming a major breakthrough hit for him. The remix was instrumental in establishing his signature "tropical house" sound and catapulted both him and Seinabo Sey to international recognition, eventually topping the charts in Norway in the summer of 2014.

Seinabo Sey's original lyrics in "Younger" utilize a relatively free and conversational rhyme scheme that prioritizes emotional delivery over strict structure. There are instances of perfect rhymes (e.g., "this"/"is") and near rhymes, but much of the lyrical power comes from its rhythmic cadence. The phrasing is soulful and flows naturally, often stretching across bar lines, typical of soul and R&B vocal styles.

Kygo's remix imposes a new rhythmic framework on these vocals. The tempo is increased to a danceable house beat, typically around 100-115 BPM. He creates a strong, consistent 4/4 rhythmic pulse. Kygo masterfully edits Sey's vocal phrases, tightening them to fit the new rhythm and even creating new syncopated melodic hooks by chopping and repeating small vocal snippets, particularly in the drop. This interplay between the fluid, soulful vocal rhythm and the steady, tropical-infused electronic beat is a key element of the remix's appeal, creating a track that is simultaneously emotionally resonant and physically compelling.

Musical Techniques (Kygo Remix): Kygo's remix is a defining example of the 'Tropical House' genre he pioneered. He takes Seinabo Sey's soulful, powerful vocals and embeds them in a completely new sonic environment. Key techniques include:

• A mid-tempo, 4/4 beat with a characteristic bouncy, syncopated rhythm that creates a relaxed yet danceable feel.
• The use of signature melodic pan flute-like synth leads and steel drum sounds, which evoke a warm, summery, and uplifting atmosphere.
• A prominent, laid-back bassline that anchors the track.
• Chopped and pitched vocal samples from the original, used both rhythmically and melodically as part of the hook.
• A clean production style with a spacious reverb, giving the track its airy and atmospheric quality. The remix fundamentally shifts the original's mood from introspective soul to euphoric dance-pop.

Literary Techniques (Lyrics):

• Rhetorical Question: The central hook, "Younger, younger, younger, are ya?", is a recurring rhetorical question that forces the listener to confront the reality of aging and time's passage.
• Direct Address: The use of "you" throughout the song creates a direct, personal connection with the listener, making the advice and observations feel intimate and urgent.
• Juxtaposition: The lyrics frequently juxtapose concepts like "light" and "darkness," "conclusion" and "illusion," and being "lost" then "found," highlighting the internal and external conflicts being addressed.

The Kygo remix of "Younger" was a seminal track in bringing the "tropical house" subgenre to mainstream attention in the mid-2010s. It was a massive commercial success, particularly in Europe, reaching number one in Norway and charting significantly in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium. The song became Kygo's breakout hit, establishing him as a major new artist in the electronic music scene and solidifying his signature sound. Its popularity was propelled by online music platforms like SoundCloud and Hype Machine before it dominated radio airwaves. The track was featured on Sey's debut EP "For Madeleine" and her album "Pretend". Its uplifting and universally relatable theme has led to its use in various commercials and media, cementing its place as an anthem for youthful optimism and seizing the day. The song is widely considered a classic of its era and a career-defining track for both Seinabo Sey and Kygo.

The lyrics of "Younger" employ several powerful metaphors to convey its message:

• "Soul to sell, highest bidders": This is a metaphor for compromising one's integrity, dreams, or true self for external validation, success, or material gain. It suggests a loss of authenticity in the face of pressure.
• "A light to all this darkness": This classic metaphor symbolizes hope, clarity, and redemption amidst periods of confusion, despair, or inaction. It reinforces the song's optimistic and motivational undertones.
• "Catch your dreams without falling asleep": This line serves as a metaphor for active, conscious pursuit of one's ambitions, contrasting it with passive daydreaming. It’s a call to turn aspirations into reality through deliberate action.
• The passage of time as a universal truth: The central motif, "you ain't getting any younger," functions as a powerful, recurring symbol of mortality and the unstoppable nature of time. It acts as the primary motivator for the song's call to action.

The most significant recurring element in the song is the lyrical phrase and musical motif: "Younger, younger, younger, are ya?". This line functions as the central hook and thematic core of the entire song. Its relentless repetition after each verse and in the outro serves as a constant, nagging reminder of the song's primary message about the passage of time. It's not just a lyric but a rhythmic and melodic hook that becomes deeply embedded in the listener's mind.

Another recurring phrase is "I assure you this," used to lend weight and sincerity to the messages of hope, such as "There is a way to be yourself, I assure you this." This repetition builds a sense of trust and conviction in the narrator's words. Musically, Kygo's remix introduces a recurring melodic motif in the form of the high-pitched, tropical-sounding synth lead that plays during the drops, which becomes as recognizable as the vocal hook itself and defines the remix's sonic identity.