Question 1

Does Adam Young write all the Owl City songs?

Accepted Answer

Almost. He is credited on 85 of the 86 album tracks, and three of the seven albums credit nobody else at all. The exceptions are the two records made at the height of the label push, where outside writers appear.

Question 2

Who wrote "Fireflies"?

Accepted Answer

Adam Young, alone. It topped the Hot 100. On January 25, 2023, the song was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America denoting sales of 10 million units.

Question 3

How many albums has Owl City released?

Accepted Answer

Seven studio albums, from Maybe I'm Dreaming in 2008 to Coco Moon in 2023. The EPs, Christmas releases and the Sky Sailing side project are counted separately.

Question 4

Who is Matt Thiessen?

Accepted Answer

The Relient K singer, who co-wrote eleven Owl City tracks across The Midsummer Station and Mobile Orchestra, more than any other collaborator.

Question 5

Is Owl City a band?

Accepted Answer

No. It is Adam Young's solo project, written, produced and performed by him with a touring band.

Question 6

Which album has the most outside writers?

Accepted Answer

The Midsummer Station in 2012, where Matt Thiessen takes five tracks, Emily Wright four and Nate Campany four.

Question 7

Who wrote "Good Time"?

Accepted Answer

Adam Young with Matt Thiessen and Brian Lee. It reached number 8 on the Hot 100 with Carly Rae Jepsen.

Question 8

Which album charted highest?

Accepted Answer

All Things Bright and Beautiful, which sold 48,000 copies in its first week and became Owl City's highest charting album on the Billboard 200.

Question 9

Did he go back to writing alone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cinematic in 2018 and Coco Moon in 2023 credit Adam Young on all 29 tracks with no co-writers.

Question 10

Where is Owl City from?

Accepted Answer

Owatonna, Minnesota, where Adam Young recorded the first albums in his parents' basement.