Track-by-Track Break Down of "Fireflies" with Adam Young of Owl City 

Adam breaking down Fireflies is an historic moment. It’s like Leonardo da Vinci coming back to life and explaining how he painted the Mona Lisa.

super cool! iconic! thanks adam

the laugh at 5:14 is my favorite part of the song. it's such a subtle detail but brings the whole thing together. and you're telling me it was completely unintentional? 😭 God works in mysterious ways for sure.

Adam talking about "a bad note" makes me giggle thinking about how the track was secretly jazz all along.

The fact that Adam Young produced and created a diamond single in his bed room is probably one of the most inspiring stories I've heard, Adam truly is and inspiration to all producers out there

2:56 I never realized how much I needed an orchestral version of this song.

is no one gonna mention how absolutely beautiful that string section sounds?

man those violins and cellos playing together had me tearing up...this song encapsulates my youth and I'm sure millions of others around the world will feel that too it really is the soundtrack of a generation. Fireflies will always be nothing short of an everlasting masterpiece, so thankyou Adam!

As a young producer, this is potentially the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Owl City revealing some of his production? And he uses LOGIC? I’m loving this. I’ve had so many questions about how his music is made and it makes production a lot less intimidating, seeing how human Adam Young is - even with his magical music.

I'd like to make myself believeeee, that this uplooooad, issss realllll

did not realize just how massive and intricate this song's construction actually was. always seems so simple on the receiving end. iconic song from a legendary artist, thank you for this

Whether you're an Owl City fan or not, this song is just HISTORIC. There's no way around that. It's amazing how much time, energy, work, and love he put into just this one song. And all this because of insomnia! It's such a great reminder of how even our infirmities and insecurities can become something beautiful if we let them.

the “wrong” note doesn’t sound wrong at all!! the dissonance it creates helps the song a lot more than it hurts!

I love how every “mistake” he lists blends into one of the most beautiful and memorable songs of our generation. I think every part of it is beautiful and there’s no ugly or mistakes or mess. It’s a beautiful symphony of emotions being poured out. It got me through so many hard times and I remember every lyric and every note, no matter how long it’s been since I’ve heard it. Thank you, Adam, for giving us not only Fireflies but all the other songs that bring poetry and beauty into this messy reality we call life. It’s a lovely place, but I wouldn’t want to live here without Owl City ❤

4:23 That piano line is so uplifting. It makes me feel like I'm flying, just like a firefly :)

I wish artists would do track break downs like this more often, its so helpful for aspiring producers and songwriters

The fact that he remembered every detail, and even the laugh that he put into the song which is barely noticeable throughout listening to the song itself, shows how much heart he’s poured into the making of the song, and how it’s 100% an original song

The string section is pretty much perfectly composed, but the difference it makes to record actual strings as opposed to using samples is unreal. Beautiful.

That strings section with the Cellos is MWAH!

hands down the most magical song ever made. Thank you for creating this master piece

After so many years, never did I imagine you’d do a breakdown or a “behind the song” for Fireflies. I don’t listen to it much but I know how much it means to alot of people, including Adam himself. Amazing, amazing stuff!!

Love that all these 2000's/2010's artists are coming forward and breaking down their music "Classic Albums" style. Now that they're iconic, these songs deserve it.

Happy birthday Adam!🎉🎉🎉

You don't realize how much effort Adam puts into every song I love the story he has behind this song it's so cool

Got teary eyed especially from 5:19 onwards. It's so surreal! It's so amazing to hear the layers of the song. Thank you Adam for this! Thank you for making a comeback. All of us HootOwls are soooo happy!

The piano and strings section are seriously magical. Gives so much life to the song.

What’s crazy is that the intro countermelody is so iconic that that alone makes you immediately think of this song

The Little Song That Could. It seems so simple, but all those amazing layers and, yes, your laugh, never taking yourself too seriously. Fireflies will always bring joy to those of us who love your music. Congratulations, Adam!! ❤❤🦉🏙❤❤

Almost unreal to witness a modern masterpiece such as Fireflies finally be broke down, this song really did change the game in its dream-like quality. Dad introduced me to it as a kid, and I experienced every related piece of work. All Things Bright And Beautiful is one of my most memorable album experiences, bus rides were never the same.

The cello part is incredible. The whole thing is of course. One of my all time faves.

It’s astounding how each layer seems so simple by itself, yet paired with its companions, forms this heavenly, complex tune.

A song that singlehandedly got me into music production, broken down piece-by-piece, YEARS LATER. Thank you, Adam. YOU ARE A BLESSING! :D

I’ve been telling people about the hidden laugh for years and they never believe me. I’m so happy to know the story behind it now! You should make more videos like these. They are awesome.

As a musician myself, seeing how this song from my childhood was put together was incredibly inspiring. Thanks Adam.

I spent my entire teenage years listening to the entire Owl City discography. Hearing all the elements that make fireflies, I can almost identify which of them got incorporated his other songs. Watching this video, I just get so emotional. Because every time I listened to Owl City, I would immediately feel happier, no matter the circumstance. You really got me through such a tumultuous time in my life Adam. Thanks for everything.

I do a thing where i listen to a song countless times and after alot of repeats i suddenly start to hear the ghost notes and all the other notes that were drowing in the musical marinade and i love those moments. Fireflies is one of those songs I've heard so many times that I keep hearing those hidden notes and it's beautiful. I've heard it so much that I myself started adding some notes that go along with the song, that's why i love it so much, it's become a somewhat personal song and seeing Adam break down everything in here, hearing all those notes rise from the marinade, idk, it just feels good. I appreciate the video,

Fireflies is my introduction to Adam's music. Sang it in front of an audience back in high school, playing the role of a famous diva in an end-of-the-year play 😂. I didn't expect to see commentary on it from him at all but this is a very pleasant surprise ✨❤️

I love pieces that have those "one-offs", you only hear it once. It could've gone on another several measures, or for the entire song, but what makes it so sweet... it just happens that one time. Want to hear it again? REPLAY! :)

I would seriously pay good money for more videos like this by Adam, giving in-depth behind-the-scenes explanations of how his songs are made. Be it a RU-vid series with a Patreon, or some other model. His songs have always had a special feeling for me that no other music can match. I work in digital visual art for a living, but digital audio art baffles me. I would love to gain the vocabulary to understand and express what I love about it, and maybe learn how to find more like it, or even eventually make my own audio art. ETA: Technicolor Phase or Hello Seattle would be great to learn about, FWIW

PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE ADAM!! ESPECIALLY YOUR OLDER TRACKS FROM MAYBE IM DREAMING!

If there is something I can say about Owl City it's that all of his music takes me out of this reality. Everything from Lucid Dream, to Take it all Away, to Thunderstuck, to Fireflies. It's so powerful and moving everytime even when he tries to have fun 💕 I love it all

So much attention to detail and beauty hidden in this song. Truly a work of art in itself. You are a great artist to care so much for the smaller things that add up into one of the most iconic songs of my life. I've liked this track deeply since the first time I heard it.

i loved this song as a kid and recently found the true hd mix listened to it and i love it even more crazy to hear what just a few speakers can add to a older song

I REALLY hope Adam writes a book about his life and journey. From 21 year old in his parents basement in Minnesota, to number one record and touring the world. And how his struggle with insomnia led to Owl City as a project and of course Fireflies. (and the many other cool things and lessons learned that transpired then and till now) I really think it’s an amazing, magical, story that people everywhere can connect with. Everyone knows fireflies, but so few know Adam’s story, and I think it’s a story that needs told in Adam’s unique style of storytelling. When he does, it’s been my dream to adapt it as a screenplay and work on a movie about his life. I’d call it, “Hello Seattle: The Story of Adam Young” or, for wider recognition and far more likely, “Fireflies: The Story of Owl City” I have so many ideas and concepts to translate his imagination to the screen, that have come to mind since I was a kid. I really hope he considers writing a book someday soon.

Words can’t describe how timeless this song is, even after 14 years. The world has changed a lot since then

Man this is an iconic song, one of my all time favs, and I love the fact you wrote and produced it completely by yourself! I think in popmusic there isn't enough recognition towards artists that are actually really talented writers and producers, instead of just singers like so many other artists.

I was an angry young man when this song came out and I hated it back then. I was metal only, no weak shit. But it got in my head and lived there for a while, little melodies popping up every so often. As I grew and learned and moved towards the man I am today, learning more about music and production, this song was always there, influencing me without me realizing, keeping me connected to who I was, helping me towards who I was to be. This song is a masterpiece. The sound is massive, everything is so clean. And his story of the song itself playing a joke on everyone, as if it were a living, breathing little being (it may as well be) is just precious to me. I have always carried this song within me and I always will. Its my generation's "Don't Stop Believing." Thank you for this video. Pulling back the curtain like this is the most intimate and vulnerable thing an artist can do aside from baring themselves so openly in their art and putting it out there.

this song was my childhood! It's so fun to see all of the hidden layers all these years later.

Magic cannot be planned, or scored, or even predicted. Even the "mistakes" in a track are part of the grand design. Now that I hear the "glitch" in the organ track I love your song even more. I've been using LOGIC since it was emagic, so it is inspiring to know you did all this on this platform. You are an amazing writer, producer, artist, and deserve more attention than even this. "There's No Such Thing As Luck". Thank you for your music, Kayte Bryon

Those first synth notes ring an entire musical generation! Thanks for the memories Adam! 👍

😮 …this just made the internet way cooler ✨🎶🤘🏼

2:57 - the arrangement of those strings is what first pulled me in. There is some incredible composition and arrangement on Ocean Eyes, even if the masters don’t quite hold up on all the songs today.

I’ll never forget buying the album in 2009 and hearing this for the first time. I’ve been with you since the beginning and am thankful for your music, Adam.

I first heard fireflies in 2009 on the radio on my way to see the northern lights in KY. I was 14 at the time and fell in love with the song instantly. I got my Zune HD for Christmas that year also and purchased the digital copy of "Ocean Eyes" on the Zune Marketplace. This is my favorite album of all time to this day and i'm now 28 years old.

The strings section was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard

5:48-7:48 I actually appreciate this part so much... I'm too scared to share my songs because I'm afraid of doing something wrong that I wouldn't be able to correct anymore once it's been released out into the world. But this part shows me that a song doesn't need to be perfect-that a song can still be amazing even with a wrong note. Thank you for this Adam. Maybe I'll be confident enough to release my songs sometime...

That laugh at 5:13 was so unexpected. Thank you for crating this masterpiece Adam! We have all cherished it and will continue to do so!

I didn't realize how much this break down would mean to me

Musician, singer, and songwriter here. This is just one of those songs that comes along and sticks in people's heads. Very simple melody, but really a very complex and vast array of sounds and rhythms mixed in. Musical genius reaching to levels of sound selection, sound tweaking, and sound tone creation. Most listeners don't really understand all the science that goes in to these musical creations, and really don't have to know, to enjoy and appreciate the end product. I have a family member that suffers from insomnia. May be some other underlying issues to check on that may be causing that. Silver lining: You certainly put your time during lack of sleep to good use. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. For those that much is given, much is expected...

That arpeggiated guitar at 7:26, mesmerizing...

I'd LOVE to see more breakdowns, especially from Ocean Eyes songs because there are so many amazing details and hidden sounds!!

Adam sharing his secret sauce recipe of making divine music has made my day! This is so cool 🙂

This whole break down just explained even more, why I love this song so much. All of the different elements, like the "ugly" guitar, the busy drums, the piano, the synths, the bass, ... all of these are just my favourite sounds to listen to in all of my favourite songs. And Fireflies just combines all of it. Thank you for this break down. I now love the song even more. I got chills so many times listening to this.

Adam, I don't know if you're reading this, but I just want you to know that this video made my week, if not my whole year. I've been trying to slowly get into electronic music production, been recovering from a breakup, just a lot going on in my life and in my head and your music, especially around this era of your music, got me through several weeks and this video just feels like a gift from God 😂 honestly it does. I love your music, but I also love you as a person. I was just on a long walk by myself at night and I decided I wanted to listen to your voice, so I searched up Adam Young interviews, and stumbled across this. It was incredible to listen to because I've heard fireflies hundreds of times, and hearing you break it down in ways that I, as an aspiring producer, understood, was just so fascinating but also so relaxing at the same time. Hearing you talk just makes me feel like I'm going to be okay Thank you dude.

Every single one of these tracks give me goosebumps and wow that cello... really making me tear up as i sip my coffee at 430 in the afternoon. Owl City was and is my childhood and the only thing i alw come back to all the time. Thank you Adam for making such beautiful music. I'm so so so glad you're back :")

I used to listen to it 100 times a day when I was 16. Thank you owl city.

Please dont say you are undeserving..The world is undiserving to you♥️♥️♥️💯 owl city forever

Old but GOLD !!!!!! I remember my teenage years 😢

Congratulations on RIAA Diamonds for Fireflies! The song will always become my comfort home music wherever my music taste change or wander

This song sends me straight back to middle school. Thank you for sharing how it was made. It's even more special now :)

Owl City has always had some of the most complex drum productions, so getting to see a bit of a breakdown is so inspiring!

As someone who self produces metal music in my bedroom, there was so much to learn from Adam reviewing his stems. I am blown away by the immense attention to layering, and classical arrangement techniques he used on the chorus rhythms. I am in awe. Any songwriter needs to take notes on the details Adam uses within 'Fireflies'

Even though I've never written anything myself, this was absolutely fascinating to learn more about. Thank you for sharing!

I just can not thank Adam enough for sharing this "behind the scene". This song mean so much for me as it really is part of a crucial moment of my life, and being able to understand what it is happening through the entire track is MAGIC. Thank you so much, looking forward to hearing your new songs. Long life Owl City and it's citizens!

i learned a lotta things from it, this song always makes me think wish i could go back to the time

I can’t believe that this actually exists. My hope was to find a video that analyzes the song that is kind of my soul song. I was not expecting that Adam explains me this masterpiece. I just love the melodies and the feeling. There is no other song like it. Fireflies brought me back to life a few times and I am so grateful for this song. Thank you Adam!

The way you are still so humbled & full of warmth throughout all these years is awe inspiring Adam, incredible respect & admiration.

I first heard this song in 2009 on the school bus in 7th grade and was in awe the entire time. Thankfully the DJ said the artist's name, and after school that day I went on RU-vid to find more and have been hooked ever since!

The cellos and violins gave me goosebumps, so good

that part with the strings and the cello isolated is the most incredibly beautiful thing I have heard ever. Music theory to mixdown. Got mans tearing up

It's fascinating to hear your thought process with some roughness and emotion. Fireflies, Ocean Eyes, your entire catalogue makes me appreciate the wonder of life and the beauty of art.

Back when I was a kid in 2009 my dad showed me fireflies and my life changed forever. It was the first time I truly felt a strong emotional connection to a piece of music in my life. I decided to explore electronic music further and now for the past 12+ years I've been making new music friends, learned to play the viola, discovered my passion for writing my own music in Ableton (going for almost 5 years now), and I am now at university studying music and sound recording for production. You changed my life and so many countless others. We cannot thank you enough for the impact you had on this world.

I'm never not floored by Adam's pure love of music - and the way he manages to make songs that just sound like they're loved is possibly the weirdest compliment I've ever given but the truest. I will forever have Ocean Eyes as one of my favorite albums ever!

The strings are just full and beautiful! 😢

All I ever pray for Adam is to give more of such songs. 🙏

"Fireflies" was introduced to me by my older sibling years and years ago and it's always been a nostalgia trip back to childhood. Since then, I've studied music extensively and this breakdown has opened my ears to even more sounds hidden within the song - like when I was younger, I can hear the music like its new all over again. History has treated this masterpiece well, it is a true classic of the 2000s era.

Man! As an upcoming producer and mixing engineer, this breakdown shows how much love and effort you put on this song and it's so good to see that love going back to you. This song made me get more interested on sound design and where to place every sound in the mix. Really grateful for this and all your art. ❤️ Greetings from Panama 🇵🇦

Adam Young… you are incredible.

I never imagined we would ever get to see you do a breakdown like this of Fireflies! It's not an exaggeration to say that this song has perhaps the purest, most magical feel of any piece of music I've ever heard, and I know I'm not the only one. Fireflies is my favorite song ever and getting to see all the layers come together to make it happen deepens my love and appreciation for it even more. Hearing the chorus of strings by themselves in full force at 3:19 make me desperately want someone to make a complete arrangement of this song with a full 60-piece orchestra, really leaning into the emotion in those strings.

Thank you for the break down Adam. Firefllies is such an incredible song. The sounds, tones, and production is incredible I hope you are doing well

This an absolutely treasure of a video, about an absolute treasure of a song. Thank you so much for uploading!

Every sound I hear from fireflies is the calm and relaxation I get from you, your song is like the picture I need when I feel down

Owl City's music is a huge inspiration for me, and Fireflies specifically is one of my favorite songs of all time. Getting to hear all of the individual elements of this track be broken down like this is incredible. Having moments like 2:45 and 5:38 being shown off by their creator is an absolute treasure. Thank you so much for this video and the song that inspired it, Adam!

I love that while there's so many layers, even when you break it down like this, it has this dreamy recognizable sound to all of it.

Legendary song! Amazing to see how it was made

This was my favorite song as a kid. Thank you for this gift to the world.

the strings part are in itself a gem inside of the song, hearing them alone was incredibly unique, almost like hearing fireflies again for the first time.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up watching this video. This is the first song I've ever heard of Owl City, and it's truly changed my life for the better. His music got me through middle and high school, and it still continues to get me through bad days. Thank you, Adam

Tremenda obra maestra, sin duda alguna. ❤️

There is SO MUCH emotion in the strings. Absolutely unreal.