Beautiful Times Explained

Beautiful Times
Cover:	Beautiful Times Owl City.jpeg
Artist:	Owl City featuring Lindsey Stirling
Ep:	Ultraviolet
Released:	April 8, 2014
Type:	Single
Studio:	Sky Harbor Studios, Owatonna, Minnesota
Label:	Republic
Producer:	Young
Chronology:	Owl City
Prev Title:	Good Time
Prev Year:	2012
Next Title:	Tokyo
Next Year:	2014

"Beautiful Times" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song features American violinist Lindsey Stirling and was released on April 8, 2014 as the lead single from his fourth EP, Ultraviolet.^[1]

Background

In early 2014, Young revealed the album artwork for his single, "Beautiful Times", through his Instagram account.^{[2] [3]} On April 4, 2014, Owl City released a teaser for "Beautiful Times".^[4] Written and produced by Young, the track runs at 136 BPM and is in the key of A major.^[5] The song has been described as an "upbeat" track.^[6] The song features Lindsey Stirling who played violin on the track.^[1] According to Young, "Beautiful Times" was the first track he wrote for the EP when he got home from tour.^[7] About the song's meaning and working with Stirling, Young stated:

Critical reception

Christian Rockafeller of Music Times calls the music video "a gorgeous and whimsical cinematic tale." Musically, he praised Stirling's violin skills stating it as "inimitable" and "impressive."^[8]

Music video

On June 26, 2014, the music video for "Beautiful Times" premiered via Rolling Stone. Speaking about the video he stated, "I've been on a few sets where everyone is on edge and it throws the whole thing off. A positive atmosphere really makes all the difference in the world."^[6] The music video showcases a young protagonist waking up and venturing beyond his own world, while it features clips of Young and Stirling performing the song.^[8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.^[9]

• Owl City – composer, primary artist
• Lindsey Stirling – featured artist

Charts

Chart (2014)!scope="col"

Peak position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)^[10]	91
South Korea (GAON) (International Chart)^[11]	48
US Pop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[12]	26

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label
Various	April 8, 2014		Republic	^[13]

Notes and References

1. Owl City streams new single, Beautiful Times (ft. Lindsey Stirling). Alternative Press. Matt Crane. April 8, 2014. February 10, 2023.
2. Web site: Piece five of the April single album artwork on Instagram . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/owlcityofficial/689207199444067439 . December 25, 2021 . registration. Instagram . February 19, 2023.
3. Web site: Piece four of the April single album artwork on Instagram . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/owlcityofficial/689091758994318340 . December 25, 2021 . registration. Instagram . February 19, 2023.
4. Owl City to release new single, Beautiful Times. Alternative Press. Michele Bird. April 4, 2014. February 10, 2023.
5. Web site: Key and BPM of Beautiful Times by Owl City. Musicstax.com. May 14, 2015. February 27, 2023.
6. Watch Owl City's Whimsical Beautiful Times Video – Premiere. Rolling Stone. Nick Murray. June 26, 2014. February 3, 2023.
7. Web site: Owl City – Bio. owlcitymusic.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626044438/https://www.owlcitymusic.com/bio/. June 26, 2014. March 25, 2023.
8. Web site: WATCH: Owl City 'Beautiful Times' Video from Ultraviolet EP (Republic Records) Features Violinist Lindsey Stirling [VIDEO]]. Christian Rockafeller. June 27, 2014. March 4, 2023.
9. Web site: Owl City – Beautiful Times / Credits. All Music. October 7, 2021.
10. Owl City Chart History (Japan Hot 100). Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118020716/https://www.billboard.com/artist/owl-city/chart-history/jpn/. November 18, 2021. February 3, 2023.
11. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart: 2014-04-04. GAON. https://archive.today/20140424154555/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_week=17&current_year=2014&chart_Time=week. April 24, 2014. August 11, 2023.
12. Owl City Chart History (Pop Digital Song Sales). https://web.archive.org/web/20191221113813/https://www.billboard.com/music/Owl-City/chart-history/PPD. December 21, 2019. Billboard. February 26, 2023.
13. Web site: Beautiful Times (feat. Lindsey Stirling) - Single by Owl City. Apple Music. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626023504/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/beautiful-times-feat.-lindsey/id848215574. June 26, 2014. February 3, 2023.