Youth Without Youth (song)

"Youth Without Youth" is a song by Canadian indie rock band Metric. It was released as the lead single from their 2012 album, Synthetica.[2] The song debuted at number 1 on the Canadian alternative rock chart and stayed at that spot for a record 16 consecutive weeks.[3] The song tackles the subject of a fraying social state through the eyes of a deprived youth.

"Youth Without Youth"
Single by Metric
from the album Synthetica
ReleasedMay 1, 2012
Recorded2012
GenreIndie rock, electronic rock
Length4:17
LabelMom+Pop
Songwriter(s)James Shaw, Emily Haines[1]
Producer(s)Gavin Brown
Metric singles chronology
"Stadium Love"
(2010)
"Youth Without Youth"
(2012)
"Breathing Underwater"
(2012)
Music video
"Youth Without Youth" on YouTube

Reception edit

The song has received mixed to favorable reviews from critics. Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone gave the song a mixed review, giving it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and describing the song as "Glam sugar with a bitter core". Dolan further stated that "Perennial indie crush Emily Haines drops a wasted-youth anthem with scarred poetry like "We played blindman's bluff till they stopped the game," over a bleak- bubblegum stomp."[4]

Jillian Mapes of Billboard praised Haines' songwriting, stating "Lyrically, frontwoman Emily Haines toys with powerful imagery, using phrases like "double dutch with a hand grenade" and "rubber soul with a razor blade" to describe a young life full of malaise and even criminality."[5]

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canadian Hot 100[6] 63
Canadian Alternative Rock Chart[3] 1
Canada Rock Chart[7] 12
US Rock Songs (Billboard) 28
US Alternative Songs (Billboard) 15

Year-end charts edit

Chart (2012) Position
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 44

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[9] Gold 40,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Youth Without Youth ASCAP
  2. ^ Galliart, Jessica. "Listen: Metric's new single, 'Youth Without Youth'". RedEye Chicago. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  3. ^ a b "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - May 8, 2012". America's Music Charts. 8 May 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  4. ^ "Metric "Youth Without Youth"". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. May 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  5. ^ "Track Review: Metric, 'Youth Without Youth'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  6. ^ "Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Metric – Youth Without Youth". Music Canada.