Peter Bjorn and John, the Swedish indie pop trio, might be best known for their globally recognized hit, “Young Folks.” This track, with its infectious whistling melody and conversational lyrics, unexpectedly catapulted them from playing small gigs in Stockholm to international stages. It’s a story of accidental genius, a placeholder melody that became iconic, and a song that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Björn Yttling, the band’s bassist, producer, and the whistler behind that famous tune, recalls the genesis of “Young Folks” during the creation of their third album, Writer’s Block. After five years of relentless touring and struggling to break through, the band was on the verge of calling it quits. “We probably would have quit if Young Folks hadn’t become the hit that it did,” Yttling admits, highlighting the song’s pivotal role in their career.
The melody initially emerged on piano, bearing a resemblance to a Duke Ellington jazz piece. However, when played on guitar, it morphed into a pop sensibility. The whistling, now synonymous with “Young Folks,” was initially intended as a temporary placeholder. “I whistled a placeholder for the melody just so we could remember it, intending to replace it with an instrument later, maybe an organ or something,” Yttling explains. Experimentation with a tape delay machine unexpectedly enhanced the whistle, transforming it into the song’s signature sound. “Then it was like: ‘Oh, it sounds good, let’s keep it.'”
Peter Bjorn and John today
Peter Bjorn and John, the Swedish indie pop band, are pictured in a modern photograph, reflecting their enduring presence in the music scene, long after the success of “Young Folks”.
The concept of a duet added another layer to the song’s appeal. Inspired by the filmic quality of collaborations like David Bowie and Bing Crosby or Fairytale of New York, the band envisioned “Young Folks” as a musical conversation. Victoria Bergsman from The Concretes was chosen as the female vocalist, her “almost childlike voice combined with Peter’s more Beatles-type voice” creating, as Yttling describes, “a lot of the magic of the song.” The recording session itself was quite unassuming, taking place in Yttling’s apartment studio on a hot Midsummer’s Eve with minimal equipment. Despite its humble origins, the track possessed an undeniable charm.
Initially rejected by Swedish labels, “Young Folks” found its breakthrough when Wichita Recordings released it in the UK and Europe, later followed by a US release. The song’s success was astronomical, achieving platinum status in multiple countries and unexpectedly altering the band’s trajectory. While Peter Bjorn and John didn’t become wealthy from the song directly, its impact on their careers is undeniable. “It kickstarted my production career,” Yttling notes. The song’s cultural significance is further cemented by its inclusion on Rolling Stone’s list of the best songs of the 21st century.
Peter Morén, vocalist and guitarist, offers another perspective on “Young Folks,” highlighting the song’s lyrical themes and its surprising relatability. Despite the title, Morén points out, “We weren’t young folks at the time – we were all hitting 30 or 31 rather than 18 or 19.” The lyrics explore themes of relationship burnout and the tentative hope of new connections, resonating with a wider audience beyond just “young folks.”
The whistling, initially performed by Björn, became Morén’s live performance responsibility. He jokingly recounts the initial struggles, especially when dealing with colds or hangovers during early tours. “People were like, ‘This band sucks – they can’t whistle.'” The recorded version’s pitched-up whistle added another layer of difficulty to live performances.
“Young Folks” also bridged genres, attracting attention from the hip-hop world. Kanye West sampled the track, further amplifying its reach and demonstrating its unique sound in the mid-2000s music landscape. Morén describes the song as “strange and melancholy and happy-sad,” a “club song for dorks,” distinct from typical macho club anthems.
While Morén admits to briefly disliking “Young Folks” at one point, he now appreciates its enduring legacy. The song’s success allowed Peter Bjorn and John to continue making music, preventing Morén from pursuing his pre-band career path: becoming a librarian. “I still haven’t had to become a librarian, so that’s a good thing,” he quips. “Young Folks” remains an evergreen indie anthem, an accidental hit that defined a band and continues to captivate listeners with its whimsical charm and relatable themes.
