Teenage Icon

Album: The Vaccines Come of Age (2012)
Charted: 39
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This anthemic belter was released as the second single from The Vaccines sophomore album, The Vaccines Come of Age. Frontman Justin Young told NME: "This is a self-conscious, introspective song about self-confidence. It's confident and upbeat but it's also very tongue-in-cheek."
  • Young admitted to the NME: "I really hate listening to second record songs, people singing about the place they've found themselves in, and then I realised I've kind of done that with this song…"
  • Justin Young professes discomfort at being put on a pedestal by fans when he sings, "I'm no teenage icon. I'm no Frankie Avalon." Young admitted to NME that he referenced the 1950s pop star, Frankie Avalon, as he couldn't think of anything else that rhymed.
  • Like Young, guitarist Freddie Cowan finds it difficult to relate to being a teenage icon. "Justin was referring to himself," Cowan told Spinner. "What he's saying is when he stands onstage, he's supposed to feel like that guy - a teenage icon - but he doesn't. I don't feel that way at all. I respect musicians for what they do, but I think there are actors and other people that deserve to be icons. Most of the time, I'm more in love with the music than the person."
  • The NME counted 13 reasons why Justin Young believes he is "no teenage icon" in this song. They are:
    So ordinary
    So obvious
    Nobody's hero
    Reserved and shy
    No piercing stare
    Out of shape
    Messy hair
    Not magnetic
    Not mythical
    Suburban
    Typical
    Not leather clad
    Not dangerous

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.