Disparate Youth

Album: Master Of My Make-Believe (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Following the release of her debut album Santogold in 2008, the alternative American singer-songwriter born Santi White spent the next two years touring. When she returned to start work on her sophomore release in early 2010, Santigold was, according to publicity materials, "totally exhausted and had not written anything yet." She was also unsure of her songwriting skills: "I had to find my way back to the place where my inspiration comes from," the singer explained. "It was like, 'Am I good at writing songs?' And there was nobody to be like, 'Yeah!'"

    Two years later, Santigold was finally ready to release this first single from her second album Master Of My Make-Believe. It is an inspirational song about looking to the future whilst refusing to conform. "A life worth fighting for," she sings.
  • The song originated with a beat sent to Santigold by producer Ricky Blaze. She told MTV News how it reminded her of a boat trip that she'd taken with John Hill and Diplo, whom she worked with on her debut album, Santogold. "We were going really fast on this speedboat," the singer recalled, "and I was just holding on, sitting cross-legged on the very front of the boat, and my body was just, like, flying, like I could have been thrown off at any minute. And this guy was playing this old reggae through these little speakers, and it was blown out and distorted, and it was such a visual memory that stayed with me, and this song kind of felt like that."
  • It took Santigold three months to write the lyrics. "Lyrically, I was trying to talk about what I want for the world and what I want people to be," she explained to MTV News. "The youth are the hope of the future, and I want people to have the courage to trust their own vision and instincts and make up the truth for themselves and question what's told to them."
  • The guitar stabs you hear are courtesy of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.