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The Only Exception
Paramore Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I was younger, I saw
My daddy cry and curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it
And my mama swore that she would
Never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist

But, darling, you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

Well, maybe I know somewhere
Deep in my soul that love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone or keep a straight face
And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance
And up until now, I had sworn
To myself that I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk

Well, you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

I've got a tight grip on reality, but I can't
Let go of what's in front of me here
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream, oh

You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing
Oh, and I'm on my way to believing

Overall Meaning

The opening of "The Only Exception" by Paramore sets the stage for an emotionally charged song about love, broken hearts, and the challenges of relationships. The lyrics describe a personal history of witnessing the cycles of love, love lost, and parental disillusionment. The first verse portrays a young child's experience of seeing their dad cry and lose faith in love after a heartbreak. The second verse describes a young woman's attempt to find comfort and contentment in a solitary life, guarded from the potential pain of breaking her heart. The bridge shifts from a place of reluctance towards love to a realization that the only exception to this rule is the person with whom the singer is currently in love.


What is striking about this song is the depiction of love and relationships as both beautiful and terrifying. The lyrics highlight the contradictory nature of love that exists both in the pain of heartbreak and also in the joy of blissful love. The final verse provides a sense of hope, despite the continuous cycle of love and heartbreak. The singer is on her way to believing that this time, love could be the one exception to a long-standing history of heartbreak and disappointment.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was younger
In my childhood years


I saw my daddy cry
I witnessed my father shedding tears


And curse at the wind
And yell at the air in frustration


He broke his own heart
He caused himself emotional pain


And I watched
And I observed


As he tried to reassemble it
As he attempted to put it back together


And my momma swore
My mother made a vow


That she would never let herself forget
That she would always remember


And that was the day that I promised
And that was when I made a pledge


I'd never sing of love
To never express my feelings of love


If it does not exist, but darlin'
Unless, my dear


You are, the only exception
You are the one and only


While you are, the only exception
As long as you remain unique


While you are, the only exception
While you stay as the sole anomaly


While you are, the only exception
As long as you remain the exception


While maybe I know, somewhere
Although I may understand, deep within


Deep in my soul
In the depths of my being


That love never lasts
That love is fleeting


And we've got to find other ways
And we must discover alternative solutions


To make it alone
To cope with solitude


Or keep a straight face
Or put on a brave front


And I've always lived like this
I have always existed in this state


And Keeping it comfortable, distance
And maintaining comfortable distance


And up until now
And until recently


I had sworn to myself that I'm content
I had promised myself to be satisfied


With loneliness
With being alone


Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Because none of it was worth the potential harm


I've got a tight grip on reality
I am firmly grounded in reality


But I can't let go of what's in front of me here
But I cannot release what's present here


I know your leaving in the morning, when you wake up
I am aware that you'll depart tomorrow, as you awaken


Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream, oh
Provide evidence that this is not just a fantasy, oh


And I'm on my way to believing
And I am starting to believe


Oh, and I'm on my way to believing
Oh, and I am starting to believe




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joshua Neil Farro, Hayley Nichole Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@grazielefay8980

Letra:

When I was younger, I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it
And my momma swore
That she would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist
But darling, you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone
Or keep a straight face
And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance
And up until now I had sworn to myself
That I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
But you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't let go of what's in front of me here
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
And I'm on my way to believing
Oh, and I'm on my way to believing



@andreinasantana7466

When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore that
She would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love
If it does not exist

But darling,
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
Or keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm content
With loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk, but
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't
Let go of what's in front of me here
I know you're leaving
In the morning, when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it`s not a dream

Ohh...

You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing
Oh, And I'm on my way to believing



All comments from YouTube:

@delanceykim3355

My mom's a 63 year old Korean woman who doesn't speak English well. This is one of her favorite songs despite not understanding most of the lyrics. She calls this the "daddy cry" song.

@johnpaularnibal

Cute hehe

@hannahm9893

thats so adorable🥺🥺😭😭😭

@briallenxxi

Awww that's kinda cute

@febreezehuffer

That’s so cute

@Thongdiepvutru9999

OMG , music feel by the heart <3

27 More Replies...

@fatenmohammeddarjab001

I dedicate this song to my husband.
On 7/02/23 he took his own life.
He was and will always be my only exception.
He taught me how to love and be loved, and for twelve years I was the happiest woman in the world.
Unfortunately our time ends, but I eagerly await eternity to see him again and tell how much he was missed here.
I love you forever, my love ❤

@indob1342

Im crying.. I'm so sorry for your loss may he RIP

@biancaT262

Sorry for your loss 😢😔

@MyBurdenToBury

This breaks my heart so much I hope you find peace one day, just remember he is always with you and hang in there ❤

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