Owl City singer Adam Young gets inspired to make music when he can't sleep.

The 'Fireflies' hitmaker has been diagnosed with insomnia, but said he uses it positively to help him with come up with ideas for new songs.

Adam - who gets by on daytime powernaps - said: "I have a bit of a problem falling asleep. Strangely enough it is when I can't sleep that I tend to find most inspiration.

"I was up late and in the basement one night when I wrote 'Fireflies'. I was sitting at the keyboard just fooling around, not really trying to write anything.

"Over the next couple of hours that song came together in the most natural way. I can't explain it but it almost wrote itself. I didn't have any idea that moment that I had written a hit."

Although the 23-year-old star admits his insomnia is not pleasant, he says it does have its benefits.

He said: "I've been clinically diagnosed but it can be a good problem to have. As long as I get three to five hours sleep anytime during the day I am usually good to go.

"I will have quick naps here and there. It is random but convenient in a way because it means I can get a lot of work done as I am not getting off to sleep every night."