When I Was Young

Album: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When Nada Surf lead singer/guitarist Matthew Caws was young, his parents, both university professors, were based in New York City. This slow-building song from the band's seventh studio album The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy is about his childhood in the Big Apple.
  • The song's music video was filmed and directed by Phil Harder in New York City. Caws told Spinner: "Because 'When I Was Young' is about my childhood I thought a video about a kid growing up in New York would be great. The only suggestions that went out to Phil were a kid growing up in New York and The Royal Tenenbaums. But he really got it right and more, suggesting and nailing things about childhood that I would not have been able to express."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.