May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground.
It takes a lot to still believe in people.
It's interesting to feel the pressure of having to be outgoing, because I think in general, as a human being, I'm pessimistic and introverted. But, it's cool, because it's a whole different side of me, and I impress myself. Even at times when I think that there's no possible way that I can be engaging, I'll suddenly pull it out and impress myself.
I kind of like being depressed.
Running in Central Park is my favorite thing to wake up and do. I have my own specific path that I have to run every single time. There's a little bit of OCD involved, but I love it.
I worry that if I enjoy something - like the songs on 'Some Nights' are about wondering about who you are. I'm never quite sure and I'd hate to feel sort of content and get a good sense of who I am because if I know one thing, that's not me. I don't mind not necessarily being happy about it. And that's fine.
There’s always some level of optimism in every single song.
As a songwriter I hate this whole, 'If it's a sad song, it has to sound like a sad song thing.' And that goes all the way back to my days with the Format. I'm an insane narcissist, so if I have to get something off my chest, I'll get something off my chest.
But as long as you're creating the art you want to create, if people start liking you, you shouldn't have to apologize. You want your stuff to be heard by as many people as possible.
I don't play an instrument - I just write in my head, and I usually hear fully formed songs. 'We Are Young' turned out so much like it was in my head. But it also exceeded all my expectations.
My dad dragged me to a Bruce Springsteen concert as a kid. It was my first concert, but I fell asleep in the middle. My second concert was Weezer on the Pinkerton tour, and Pinkerton is the reason why Im doing this.
If you can make the song a soundtrack to what you're living at the time, I think that's the most important part of a song.
If I wasn't a musician I'd probably be like a meth addict.
I always wanted to be a singer, but none of my friends thought I could sing.
I try and get about eight hours of sleep every single night. And I like to think that I drink more water than anyone, ever.
I don't want to be known for anything other than writing songs.
I tried to play bass in a punk band once, and it was an absolute disaster. I can’t play anything. I don’t know what it is.
I idolised bands like Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins, who wanted to reach as many people as they could.
That just felt like the most natural name out of all of the names. Everything else just felt so contrived. Even now, when I try and think of band names just randomly, I'm so thankful that "fun." is the name of the band. I never really think twice about it. It is so simple and so easy.
Eventually, out of sheer will of never wanting to get a job or go to college, I found my way into doing music full-time.
I would love to play a show with Kanye West. That would be amazing. I want to play a show with Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen. It would be really fun, especially to stick around, watch their show and watch how they work a crowd. It's really a wonderful thing.
Lyrics are so important, I hate every second of writing them, but it's something I take great pride in when it's finished.
I don't have a Twitter or a Facebook, but that doesn't mean I'm any more productive than the rest of the world.
I was signed at 19 years old to a major label, and dropped by the time I was 22.
Indie record stores are as important to a touring musician as an incredible thrift store. I can't overstate how good it feels to place an original pressing of 'veedon fleece' in your most underused of shirts and pack it into your suitcase, anxiously awaiting the day you get home so that you can play it as though it was your reward or trophy from the long journey you had just finished embarking on.
