If you’re a scene kid, there’s no way you didn’t have a Paramore phase… or perhaps you’re still in it. (No judgment because same here.) From the band’s initial LP release All We Know Is Falling in 2005 to their most recent This Is Why album, the Hayley Williams-fronted group has transcended genre, infusing each song with relatable lyrics that have stood the test of time. Not to mention, Williams has become an idol for many young women who love the rock genre or are currently in the primarily male-dominated music space.
With that being said, here is the best song, worst song, most underrated song, and saddest song in Paramore‘s discography. Let’s get into it!
Best Song:
“All I Wanted”
Sure, we could yell at each other all damn day about why their classic “Misery Business” is the quintessential Paramore track or how the mainstream-approved “Hard Times” is the it girl in the discography. However, idobi Radio believes that Brand New Eyes‘ “All I Wanted” is the best track to introduce the band to new ears.
As Bill Hader’s “Stefon” would say, “This song has everything.” Williams shows off her powerful range and hits wild notes in the chorus. IYKYK. Plus, the melody has emo edge, a pop appeal, and a hint of grunge-laced rock. What more could you possibly ask for?
Worst Song:
“C’est Comme Ça”
Soooo, this might be a hot take, but This Is Why‘s “C’est Comme Ça” just doesn’t do it for me sonically. I appreciate the French song title, which translates to “it is what it is,” and hopefully its sentiment can impact listeners near and far. However, the chorus solely contains the song title and na-na-na’s, and isn’t the most catchy form of repetition. Compared to fellow singles “This Is Why,” “The News,” and “Running Out Of Time,” this track stuck out as an odd choice to preview the record. However, I respect that Talking Heads and Yard Act inspired it, and that it experiments with the Sprechgesang style, aka speak-singing.
Saddest Song:
“Misguided Ghosts”
Williams has eloquently penned the feelings of young adults trying to find their place in the world. Notably, she wrote After Laughter‘s “26“—another sad, yet hopeful song—about her bout with depression at the time. (As a current 26-year-old, this speaks so deeply to me.)
However, “Misguided Ghosts” from Brand New Eyes offers very little optimism and is a raw take on the discomfort and disappointment that comes with morphing into an adult. Over simple acoustic strums, Williams sings, “‘Cause I’m just one of those ghosts/Traveling endlessly/Don’t need no roads/In fact, they follow me/And we just go in circles.” These lyrics can make even the toughest person break down into tears. Frankly, most, if not every, listener can relate to this notion of loneliness and aimlessness.
Underrated Song:
“Grow Up”
To this day, I am shocked, flabbergasted even, that this track didn’t get the single treatment. Let’s be real: it’s a brilliant, bright track with fun dance sonics that tie the band’s early punk stylings with their modern pop leanings… the perfect career bridge, if you will.
Aside from its infectious energy, it is a necessary empowerment anthem for all genders, ages, and the like, “Grow Up” serves as a fabulous reminder that growing and changing is necessary, and if those around you won’t grow with you (or support your healthy growth), then they can get bent. Personally, I often recount the phrase, “Some of us have to grow up sometimes/And so, if I have to, I’m gonna leave you behind.” Needless to say, this is a dazzling track for those navigating rapid changes in their 20s.
