Paramore: The Top 10
Paramore singer Hayley Williams was raised in Meridian, MS, where her talent show experience led to commercials. And that might have been the end of it. But the Williams family relocated to Franklin, TN.
There she came across Josh and Zac Farro. The brothers played guitar and drums respectively and invited Williams to join their band.
Seeing Paramore perform only once, Fueled By Ramen’s head honcho, John Janick, decided to sign the group. He shipped them to Orlando, closer to Fueled By Ramen’s headquarters.
10. This Is Why (This Is Why, 2023)
The title track from the band’s sixth album, “This Is Why” was Paramore’s first release after a five-year hiatus.
“This Is Why” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Album Sales charts. The set also went to #2 on the Billboard 200.
This Is Why
9. Hard Times (After Laughter, 2017)
“This is a really big step for us as a band, and it’s definitely a new sound.” enthused singer Hayley Williams. “We’re really proud of it. I feel like it really reflects exactly who we are right now in real time, and hopefully people will be into it.”
Hard Times
8. Brick By Boring Brick
“Imagine me walking into this tiny little room where we practiced, not knowing what we were going to accomplish that day and then hearing this song within the first five minutes,” offered Williams. “I fell in love with the music to these verses from the first snare hit. I knew that I had to write something that I thought was just as electrifying as the music or I wouldn’t be happy.”
Brick By Boring Brick
7. Playing God (Brand New Eyes, 2009)
Williams said she wrote the song at a time when she felt “very angry.” But the song’s overall tone was completely different. “It’s laid back and really fun,” Williams continued. “By the time we’d gotten to the studio, the song still needed a bridge. So I sat down at a piano and wrote the parts. It’s one of my favorite bridges on the record. I feel like this song is one of those that we’ve been waiting to write for a long time.”
Playing God
6. Ignorance (Brand New Eyes, 2009)
Williams, who co-wrote the song with guitarist Josh Farro said, “In my eyes, this song is a huge turning point for the band. The truth of it is, growing up is not easy. We’re five different people who have to work towards the same goal on a daily basis. There were a lot of times when I felt really alone or angry or insecure. I don’t always feel good at confronting people, especially people that I love, like these guys. Sometimes it takes songs to get the point across. The song is from one person’s perspective. It’s unfair that I’m the one who gets to talk about it but it helped me a lot.
The song was the lead single from Paramore’s self-titled third album.
Ignorance
5. Decode (‘Twilight’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2008)
“I chose the title ‘Decode’ because the song is about the building tension, awkwardness, anger and confusion between (film characters) Bella and Edward. Bella’s mind is the only one which Edward can’t read and I feel like that’s… one of the obstacles for them to overcome. It’s one added tension that makes the story even better.”
Decode
4. Misery Business (Riot!, 2007)
The first single from “Riot!,” the band’s sophomore set, was also their first mainstream hit reaching #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Alternative Songs chart.
On the band’s blog, Williams claimed the song was written about a past experience involving a male friend who she felt was being manipulated by a girl, and later on when Williams and her friend began to date, she penned the lyrics to “finally explain my side of the story and feel freed of it all.”
In a ’20 Vulture interview Williams confirmed that the song was about (drummer) Josh Farro’s ex-girlfriend.
Misery Business
3. Ain’t It Fun (Paramore, 2013)
“After we started writing weird stuff like ‘Ain’t It Fun’ we got nervous,” remembered bassist Jereny Davis. “That idea kept us pushing ourselves.”
The song became Paramore’s highest-peaking single on the Billboard Hot 100 (#10) and received ‘double platinum’ certification from the RIAA having sold over two million singles
Ain’t It Fun
2. That’s What You Get (Riot!, 2007)
Written by Williams, guitarist josh Farro and lead guitarist Taylor York, who was not yet in the band.
“It’s a song that simply explains itself. The text is very simple: this is what you get when you let your heart win and you can’t really think for yourself. In thinking, you rely more on feeling than on reason,” explained Farro.
That’s What You Get
1. crushcrushcrush (Riot!, 2007)
Ed Masley at The Arizona Republic wrote, “As for the crushes in the title, they’re whispered in a voice that may be best described as sinister. And the guitar licks seal the deal.”
Written by Williams and Josh Farro, the third single from “Riot!” was, according to Williams, about the dark side of having a crush. The song was certified Platinum in the U.S. for selling over 1,000,000 copies.
crushcrushcrush
Paramore:
- Hayley Williams – Lead Vocals (2004–present), Keyboards (2012–present)
- Taylor York – Guitar/Backing Vocals (2009–present)
- Zac Farro – Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals (2004–2010, 2017–present)
Key Former Members
- Josh Farro – Guitar/Backing Vocals (2004–2010)
- Jason Bynum – Guitar/Backing Vocals (2004–2005)
- Jeremy Davis – Bass (2004–2005, 2005–2006, 2007–2015)
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