Paramore, as a quartet, released their debut studio album, All We Know Is Falling, in 2005. The band rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of the hit single Misery Business from their second studio album Riot!. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get were released as the following singles experiencing commercial success. The band was nominated for "Best New Artist" at the 2008 Grammy Awards. The band announced the official line-up addition of Taylor York in June 2009 prior to the release of Brand New Eyes due later the same year. Josh Farro (guitar) and his brother Zac Farro left the band the following year, resulting in Paramore to continue as a trio.
From 2013 to 2014, Paramore released several singles from the self-titled album, including the singles Still Into You and Ain't It Fun. The latter became the band's highest-peaking single as well as their first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned the band their first Grammy award for "Best Rock Song" the following year. At the end of 2015, it was reported Jeremy Davis (bass guitar) left the band.
In 2017, Zac Farro officially rejoined the band, prior to the release of their fifth studio album, "After Laughter".
Misery Business
Paramore Lyrics
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I'm in the business of misery, let's take it from the top
She's got a body like an hourglass, that's ticking like a clock
It's a matter of time before we all run out
When I thought he was mine, she caught him by the mouth
I waited eight long months
She finally set him free
I told him I couldn't lie, he was the only one for me
Two weeks and we had caught on fire
She's got it out for me, but I wear the biggest smile
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could, then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore, you're nothing more, I'm sorry that'll never change
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged
I'm sorry honey, but I passed it up, now look this way
Well, there's a million other girls who do it just like you
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who
They want and what they like, it's easy if you do it right
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him right now
And if you could, then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
I watched his wildest dreams come true
And not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving
Whoa, well I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could, then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
The lyrics of "Misery Business" by Paramore tell the story of a love triangle between the singer, another woman, and the man they both desire. The main character is in the business of misery, meaning she enjoys the power that comes from stealing other people's boyfriends. She is jealous of the other woman's hourglass figure and the fact that she caught the man's attention by kissing him.
The character waits patiently for eight months until the other woman finally sets him free. She tells him that he is the only one for her, and they quickly fall in love. However, the other woman still has it out for her and is envious of her relationship. The main character admits that she never meant to brag, but she got the man where she wanted him now. She knows that it feels good to have him, and she enjoys the power.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of forgiveness, where the main character refuses to forgive the other woman for what she did. She says that second chances don't matter because people never change. The final line of the song is a reflection of the main character's desire for success, where she watches her wild dreams come true, not involving the other woman. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of empowerment through the control of others' emotions and the satisfaction of coming out on top in a love triangle.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit that, hit that snare
The song starts with a catchy beat.
I'm in the business of misery, let's take it from the top
The singer brings her dissatisfaction to light by describing herself to be working in misery.
She's got a body like an hourglass, that's ticking like a clock
She is admiring a woman who is physically attractive and feels time is slipping away.
It's a matter of time before we all run out
The inevitability of time running out is weighed upon.
When I thought he was mine, she caught him by the mouth
The singer is betrayed by a woman for kissing a man whom she thought was hers.
I waited eight long months
The singer waited patiently for 8 months for the incident to be resolved.
She finally set him free
The woman who kissed the man lets him go.
I told him I couldn't lie, he was the only one for me
The man is assured of the singer's loyalty.
Two weeks and we had caught on fire
The singer and her partner's relationship becomes intense soon after the previous incident.
She's got it out for me, but I wear the biggest smile
The woman who caused the earlier incident still harbors ill feelings towards the singer. However, she remains unfazed and puts up a brave front.
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
The singer acknowledges that she did not intend to brag, but is proud that she has attained the affection of her love interest.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
The singer insists that her intention was never to steal her partner from another person, but admits that the feeling of being wanted by someone is enjoyable.
Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore, you're nothing more, I'm sorry that'll never change
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged
The singer feels that people rarely change, and a person labeled as something like a 'whore' will never be looked at any different. The concept of forgiveness between the two women involved in the incident is judged to be futile.
I'm sorry honey, but I passed it up, now look this way
Well, there's a million other girls who do it just like you
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who
They want and what they like, it's easy if you do it right
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
The singer describes the other woman's attempts to project herself as innocent, and suggests that there are many like her who have selfish motives. She, however, declines to follow the same path.
I watched his wildest dreams come true
And not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving
The singer talks about her partner's dreams, implying that none of them include the other woman. She urges the other woman to watch her own dreams come true, which do not include the partner.
Whoa, well I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could, then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
The singer reiterates that her intention was never to brag or steal someone's partner, but is elated that she has found love. She believes that anyone who found themselves in the same position would have done the same.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joshua Neil Farro, Hayley Nichole Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind