Born and raised in Mississippi, Williams moved to Tennessee at the age of 15 when her parents divorced in 2002. In 2004, she formed Paramore alongside Josh Farro, Zac Farro, and Jeremy Davis. The band currently consists of Hayley Williams, Zac Farro and Taylor York. The band has released six studio albums: All We Know Is Falling (2005), Riot! (2007), Brand New Eyes (2009), Paramore (2013), After Laughter (2017) and This Is Why (2023).
Aside from Paramore, Williams recorded the song "Teenagers" for the soundtrack of Jennifer's Body (2009) and has collaborated with artists such as October Fall, The Chariot, Set Your Goals, Zedd and New Found Glory. In 2010, she was featured on the single "Airplanes" by B.o.B. It peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. A sequel to the song, "Airplanes, Part II", features new verses from B.o.B. and a verse from Eminem, while Williams' vocals remain the same. This collaboration led to a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
Williams released her debut solo single "Simmer" on January 22nd 2020 and announced on the same day that her debut solo album Petals for Armor would be released on May 8th 2020.
Other ventures in which Williams has explored include online beauty and music series Kiss-Off on Popular TV which launched in 2015, and the hair-dye company Good Dye Young, which launched in 2016.
Pure Love
Hayley Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The opposite
The opposite of love is fear
I'm still trying to get, hm
Used to how the former feels
'Cause it feels so new
You think you know me
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, sentimental)
A deeper way
A deeper way to understand
To understand the line between
Who you are and who I am, baby
'Cause to let you in (I want your love, I want your love now)
Is true compromise (I want your love)
Not just the friction of our skin (I want your love now)
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, experimental)
Well I guess, I guess (I guess, I guess)
I could, I guess (I could, I guess)
Guess I oughta to clean up these bloody fists if it's alright
And yes, I guess (I guess, I guess)
It's for the best (it's for the best)
Guess you really got to call your own bluff if you want pure love
(If I want pure love)
Mmh, ohh-ooh, ohh
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We get a little, sentimental) If I want your love
(I want your love, I want your love, ay)
(I want your love, I want your love now)
(I want your love, I want your love, ay) (I give a little, you give a little)
(I want your love, I want your love now) (we give a little, sentimental)
And if I want your love (if I want your love)
(I want your love, I want your love, ay)
(I want your love, I want your love now)
(I want your love, I want your love) (I give a little, you give a little)
(I want your love) (we give a little, sentimental)
In "Pure Love" by Hayley Williams, the lyrics explore the concept of love and fear as opposing emotions. The artist reflects on her own struggle to let go of fear and embrace a pure, vulnerable form of love. The opening lines suggest that the opposite of love is fear, and the singer seeks to overcome this fear in order to experience a deeper connection. The song emphasizes the need for open communication and understanding in a relationship. The lyrics express the desire to break down walls and allow someone to truly know and love the singer. It acknowledges that true compromise goes beyond physical attraction and requires a deeper emotional connection. The repeated phrase "If I want pure love, must stop acting so tough" reflects the realization that in order to experience pure love, one must be willing to let go of self-protection and be open to vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh
Expressing confusion or curiosity
The opposite
Something completely contrary
The opposite of love is fear
Fear is the antithesis of love
I'm still trying to get, hm
I am still trying to understand
Used to how the former feels
Accustomed to the way love used to feel
Cause it feels so new
Because it feels unfamiliar
You think you know me
You believe you understand who I am
Wait 'til I open up to you
Wait until I reveal my true self to you
If I want pure love
If I desire genuine love
Must stop acting so tough
I need to cease pretending to be strong
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We both compromise)
(We get a little, sentimental)
(We become emotionally attached)
A deeper way
A more profound approach
A deeper way to understand
A more profound method of comprehending
To understand the line between
To comprehend the boundary separating
Who you are and who I am, baby
The distinction between your identity and mine, darling
'Cause to let you in (I want your love, I want your love now)
Because allowing you into my life (I desire your love instantly)
Is true compromise (I want your love)
Represents genuine sacrifice (I want your love)
Not just the friction of our skin (I want your love now)
Not solely based on physical attraction (I want your love instantly)
Well I guess, I guess (I guess, I guess)
Well, I suppose, I suppose
I could, I guess (I could, I guess)
I have the ability, I suppose
Guess I oughta clean up these bloody fists if it's alright
Perhaps I should heal from these bruised knuckles if it's acceptable
And yes, I guess (I guess, I guess)
And indeed, I suppose
It's for the best (it's for the best)
It is the most favorable outcome (it is the most favorable outcome)
Guess you really got to call your own bluff if you want pure love
You must confront your own deceit if you desire genuine love
Mmh, ohh-ooh, ohh
Vocalized sounds without a specific meaning
If I want pure love
If I desire genuine love
Must stop acting so tough
I need to cease pretending to be strong
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We both compromise)
(We get a little, sentimental)
(We become emotionally attached)
If I want your love
If I desire your love
Ooh, got to open up
Oh, I need to open myself up
(I give a little, you give a little)
(We both compromise)
(We get a little, sentimental)
(We become emotionally attached)
If I want your love
If I desire your love
(I want your love, I want your love, ay)
(I desire your love, I desire your love, oh)
(I want your love, I want your love now)
(I desire your love instantly)
(I want your love, I want your love, ay) (I give a little, you give a little)
(I desire your love, I desire your love, oh) (We both compromise)
(I want your love, I want your love now) (we give a little, sentimental)
(I desire your love instantly) (We become emotionally attached)
And if I want your love (if I want your love)
And if I desire your love (if I desire your love)
(I want your love, I want your love, ay)
(I desire your love, I desire your love, oh)
(I want your love, I want your love now)
(I desire your love instantly)
(I want your love, I want your love) (I give a little, you give a little)
(I desire your love, I desire your love) (We both compromise)
(I want your love) (we give a little, sentimental)
(I desire your love) (We become emotionally attached)
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hayley Nichole Williams, Joseph Howard, Steph Marziano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rinshi
[Intro]
Huh
[Verse 1]
The opposite
The opposite of love is fear
I'm still trying to get (Hm)
Used to how the former feels
'Cause it feels so new
You think you know me
Wait 'till I open up to you
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, sentimental)
[Verse 2]
A deeper way
A deeper way to understand
To understand the line between
Who you are and who I am, baby
'Cause to let you in (I want your love, I want your love now)
Is true compromise (I want your love, I want your love now)
Not just the friction of our skin
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, experimental)
[Bridge]
I guess, I guess (I guess, I guess)
I could, I guess (I could, I guess)
Guess I oughta to clean up these bloody fists if it's alright
And yes, I guess (I guess, I guess)
It's for the best (It's for the best)
Guess you really got to call your own bluff if you want pure love
(If I want pure love)
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little, we get a little, sentimental)
[Outro]
If I want your love
(If I want your love)
(I want your love, I want your love
I want your love, I want your love now)
(I want your love, I want your love, I want your love, I want your love now)
(I give a little, you give a little, we give a little, sentimental)
And if I want your love
(If I want your love)
(I want your love, I want your love
I want your love, I want your love now)
(I give a little, you give a little, we give a little, sentimental)
Edwin Alexander Castro Mendoza
[Verse 1]
The opposite
The opposite of love is fear
I'm still trying to get (Hm)
Used to how the former feels
'Cause it feels so new
You think you know me
Wait 'til I open up to you
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
[Verse 2]
A deeper way
A deeper way to understand
To understand the line between
Who you are and who I am, baby
'Cause to let you in (I want your love, I want your love now)
Is true compromise (I want your love)
Not just the friction of our skin (I want your love now)
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
[Bridge]
I guess, I guess (I guess, I guess)
I could, I guess (I could, I guess)
Guess I oughta clean up these bloody fists if it's alright
And yes, I guess (And yes, I guess)
It's for the best (It's for the best)
Guess you really gotta call your own bluff if you want pure love
(If I want pure love)
[Chorus]
If I want pure love
Must stop acting so tough
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
If I want your love
Ooh, got to open up
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
[Outro]
If I want your love, ooh
(If I want your love)
(I want your love, I want your love
I want your love, I want your love now)
(I want your love, I want your love
I want your love, I want your love now)
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
And if I want your love
(If I want your love)
(I want your love, I want your love
I want your love, I want your love now)
(I give a little, you give a little
We get a little sentimental)
fin v.
“i think this is my favorite,” i say as i listen to every song
Ray Almeida
Same
Julian Yager
HAHA I have said this so many times
Ryan Moult
Hahaha same
Jyusatsu
For real! Love all her songs on this record
Ashley Adams
Ditto 😍
DonnyJ
I think Hayley is in a lane of her own. You can't compare her to other artists. You inspire me everyday. Keep doing your thing!!
Aaron Tyler
This album has Grammy worthy tracks , this song is incredible. I get an 80s Michael Jackson feeling from this song which is very hard to replicate.
BasketballAllah
So crazy you say that. I first heard a clip of pure love with no context in an Instagram post written in another language, and I immediately said "is this like a Michael Jackson cover or something"
Brian Rose
I was actually thing the same damn thing listening to this track