"When I Grow Up" is the second single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

 from Swedish recording artist Fever Ray

Karin Dreijer Andersson

Karin Elisabeth Dreijer Andersson , commonly known by her stage name Fever Ray, is the lead vocalist of the electronic duo The Knife, formed with her brother Olof Dreijer. Andersson was previously the vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Honey Is Cool...

's self-titled debut album, Fever Ray

Fever Ray (album)

Fever Ray was lauded by music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 81, based on 27 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim"...

(2009).

Critical reception

Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...

 placed "When I Grow Up" at number 36 on the website's list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2009.

Music video

The music video

Music video

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

 for "When I Grow Up" was directed by Martin de Thurah. He said of the video's visual statement:

"That initial idea was something about something coming out of water—something which was about to take form – a state turning into something new. And a double headed creature not deciding which where to turn. But the idea had to take a simpler form, to let the song grow by itself. I remembered a photo I took in Croatia two years ago, a swimming pool with its shining blue color in a grey foggy autumn landscape."

The video premiered on Fever Ray's YouTube

YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....

 channel on 19 February 2009.

"When I Grow Up" was placed at number three on Spin

Spin (magazine)

Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...

s list of The 20 Best Videos of 2009.

Track listings

• iTunes single

1. "When I Grow Up" – 4:31
2. "When I Grow Up" (Håkan Lidbo's Encephalitis Remix) – 5:59
3. "When I Grow Up" (D. Lissvik) – 4:28
4. "Memories from When I Grew Up (Remembered by The Subliminal Kid)" – 16:41
5. "When I Grow Up" (Van Rivers Dark Sails on the Horizon Mix) – 9:16
6. "When I Grow Up" (We Grow Apart Vocal Version by Pär Grindvik) – 6:02
7. "When I Grow Up" (We Grow Apart Inspiration - Take 2 - By Pär Grindvik) – 7:59
8. "When I Grow Up" (Scuba's High Up Mix) – 6:17
9. "When I Grow Up" (Scuba's Straight Down Mix) – 5:54
10. "When I Grow Up" (Video) – 4:04

• Swedish 12" single

A1. "When I Grow Up" (Van Rivers Dark Sails on the Horizon Mix) – 9:10

A2. "When I Grow Up" (D. Lissvik) – 4:28

B1. "Memories from When I Grew Up (Remembered by The Subliminal Kid)" – 16:41

• UK promo CD single

1. "When I Grow Up" (Edit) – 3:42
2. "When I Grow Up" (D. Lissvik Radio Edit) – 3:19

Nominations

Year	Category	Genre	Recording	Result
UK Music Video Awards UK Music Video Awards The UK Music Video Awards is an annual celebration of creativity, technical excellence and innovation in music video and moving image for music....
2009	Best Indie/Alternative	Music Video	When I Grow Up