You Only Live Once: Youth Culture
The phrase "you only live once" is commonly attributed to Mae West,[1][2] but variations of the phrase have been in use for over 100 years,[3] including as far back as (the German equivalent of) "one lives but once in the world" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his 1774 play Clavigo[4] and as the title of a waltz, "Man lebt nur einmal!" ("You Only Live Once!") by Johann Strauss II in 1855.
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has held a trademark to the phrase "YOLO" in the context of the frozen yogurt business since 2010.[5][6]
Use in music and usage chronology
The phrase was first used in music by The Strokes in the form of their song "You Only Live Once" which was released on their album First Impressions of Earth on January 3, 2006. The motto was then used by pop duo Unsolved Mysteries as their song titled "You Only Live Once," which premiered on Episode 7 of American television show Skins (Episode 7 premiered on February 28, 2011).[7] It was thirdly used by American deathcore band Suicide Silence with their song "You Only Live Once," which appeared on their album The Black Crown on July 26, 2011. It was later popularized by rapper Drake, who planned to release a joint mixtape entitled YOLO along with Rick Ross.[8] To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto," released on November 29, 2011, with the aim of promoting the tape. This use has elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use.[9] In late 2012, Drake expressed a desire to obtain royalties for use of "YOLO" due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macys, but he does not own a trademark on the word.[10][5]
Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his song "No Regrets."[11]
The popular comedy band The Lonely Island released a song titled "YOLO" parodying the
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has held a trademark to the phrase "YOLO" in the context of the frozen yogurt business since 2010.[5][6]
Use in music and usage chronology
The phrase was first used in music by The Strokes in the form of their song "You Only Live Once" which was released on their album First Impressions of Earth on January 3, 2006. The motto was then used by pop duo Unsolved Mysteries as their song titled "You Only Live Once," which premiered on Episode 7 of American television show Skins (Episode 7 premiered on February 28, 2011).[7] It was thirdly used by American deathcore band Suicide Silence with their song "You Only Live Once," which appeared on their album The Black Crown on July 26, 2011. It was later popularized by rapper Drake, who planned to release a joint mixtape entitled YOLO along with Rick Ross.[8] To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto," released on November 29, 2011, with the aim of promoting the tape. This use has elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use.[9] In late 2012, Drake expressed a desire to obtain royalties for use of "YOLO" due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macys, but he does not own a trademark on the word.[10][5]
Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his song "No Regrets."[11]
The popular comedy band The Lonely Island released a song titled "YOLO" parodying the
References: Jump up ^ Clare Conville, Liz Hoggard, Sarah-Jane Lovet. Dangerous Women: The Guide to Modern Life. Retrieved August 4, 2012. Jump up ^ "Mae West Quotes". BrainyQuote. Retrieved August 4, 2012. Jump up ^ "You Only Live Once – YOLO". Quote Investigator. May 24, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012. Jump up ^ "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe". Qikiqoute. Retrieved August 4, 2012. ^ Jump up to: a b Burns, Ashley (January 06, 2013). "We Have Some Bad News For Drake Regarding The YOLO Wars". Uproxx.com. Retrieved March 03, 2013. Jump up ^ "YOLO". LegalForce. Retrieved March 03, 2013. Jump up ^ Roberts, Soraya (2011-12-16). "Zac Efron Adopts Drake’s ‘YOLO’ Motto, as Does Souljaboy". Yahoo! OMG! CA. Retrieved 2012-11-08. ^ Jump up to: a b Diep, Eric (2012-12-05). "Drake Wants Royalties for “YOLO”". XXL Magazine. Retrieved March 03, 2013. Jump up ^ Hill, Kellus (14 May 2012). "Lecrae - Church Clothes: DaSouth.com". Da South. Retrieved 30 November 2012. Jump up ^ Wright, Sharon (June 1, 2012). "Student Arrested Following Conant High School Senior Prank". NBC Chicago. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ "Students Lose Prom, Graduation Privileges After Senior Prank". DailyHerald.com. January 6, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ Express-Times File Photo. "Clinton Police: Two Men Spray-Paint Profanity, 'YOLO ' on Town Structures". Lehigh Valley. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ "Middle School Boys Accused of Spray-Painting Homes, Destroying Water Fountain". 10tv.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ "Parents, Students: Hoffman Estates School Overreacted To Senior Prank". CBS Chicago. 1 June 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ Swanson, Mirjam (18 May 2012). "Track and Field: Mitchells making most of it". Press-Enterprise. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ Dye, Kevin. "Class of 2012 calls it a year". The Madison Press. Archived from the original on March 03, 2013. Retrieved March 03, 2013. Jump up ^ Judkis, Maura (25 February 2011). "#YOLO: The Newest Acronym You’ll Love to Hate". Washington Post Style Blog. Retrieved October 10, 2012. Jump up ^ Walsh, Megan (17 May 2012). "YOLO: The Evolution of the Acronym". Huffington Post (The Black Sheep Online). Jump up ^ Lupkin, Sydney (December 21, 2012). "Young Adults Tweet #YOLO When They Don 't Study, Get Drunk or Drive Too Fast". ABC News. Retrieved 29 December 2012.