The Real Meaning Behind AJR's 'Bang!'

Music has an incredible power to connect with our emotions and tell stories that resonate deeply within us. AJR's hit song "Bang!" is no exception, as it captures the essence of growing up and the struggles that come with adulthood. The trio, consisting of brothers Ryan, Jack, and Adam Met, have poured their experiences into this catchy anthem, making it a relatable piece for many listeners. But what truly lies behind the vibrant beats and engaging lyrics? Let’s explore the journey of AJR and unpack the meaning behind their successful track.

Brothers Ryan, Jack, and Adam Met worked tirelessly on fine-tuning their musical abilities long before they officially formed AJR. Growing up, the trio routinely busked on the streets of Manhattan where they performed by borrowing melodies from other songs. "That was just kind of the way we learned to write lyrics," Adam told Elicit Magazine. AJR had a humble beginning to their music career. Early on, they secured management and decided it was time to put on their first show for an audience. Unfortunately, only three people were in attendance ("And those three people have been fans of us ever since," Adam said to Elicit).

Despite the meager turnout, the brothers used this time to hone their craft, writing many "bad songs" before hitting their stride with "I’m Ready" in 2012. Ryan mentioned that "writing a lot of bad songs is really just a totally okay thing to do." This attitude helped them build resilience and creativity, equipping them to face the challenges of the music industry. Even after their first hit song, the group had to grind before truly finding success. Their first single to crack the top 10 on the Billboard 100 was their anthemic single "Bang!" off their fourth album "OK Orchestra." The pop group had songs blow up on Spotify and alternative radio, but according to AJR, "Bang" was the first to gain traction on pop radio.

Biography of AJR

AJR's "Bang!" was originally slated to appear as a bonus track on their "Neotheater" album, which contains themes about being "young forever," but the group shelved it at the time. "It feels a little darker, it feels like a next step, being disillusioned a little bit," Ryan Met told Billboard about the hit song in February 2020.

According to a press release from AJR that accompanied the visuals for the song, "Bang!" was about the "middle ground" between childhood and adulthood. AJR wrote, "[A] time when we’re doing all the things adults are supposed to do, but we don’t yet feel grown up." The track's title and chorus refer to the idea of "going out with a bang." Their lyrics reflect the feelings of young adults trying to find their footing while juggling responsibilities like eating healthy and paying taxes, yet feeling a sense of unease.

Ryan articulated that "Bang!" was heavier than their earlier hits. "This is probably our darkest song," he stated. To balance the song's thematic depth, the group opted for a colorful Wes Anderson-inspired video. After a long road to the top, it seems that AJR has finally arrived, capturing the struggles of growing up in a way that resonates with many!

So what is this hit song about? Keep reading to find out.