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.
Trigger
Hayley Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get off on telling everybody what went wrong
It makes me feel like the pain had a purpose
Keeps me believing
That maybe it's worth it
Truth is all I really want is
Somebody I can count on
Who won't disappoint me
At first it seems easy
I vow not to give up
Let 'em debase me
While keeping my chin up
'Cause I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
So what do people sing about once they've finally found it
Take it for granted think of how they were better without it?
I'd like to imagine
I'd never be like that
But if I'm honest
I know I already have
'Cause I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
I got the trigger but you own the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
Yeah, I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
In "Trigger," Hayley Williams offers an introspective exploration of love and vulnerability. The lyrics express a sense of cynicism and emotional pain that has become associated with love in the artist's experience. Through the powerful imagery of a sad song, Williams conveys her inclination to share the negative aspects of love rather than the positive. She finds some solace and purpose in recounting her troubled experiences, as it helps her believe that the pain is not in vain.
The lyrics also touch upon the longing for a fulfilling and reliable love. Williams desires someone who genuinely wants her and can be counted on without causing disappointment. However, she acknowledges that finding such a love is not as easy as it may seem initially. The resolve to stay strong and maintain a positive outlook despite being mistreated is evident in the lines: "Let 'em debase me, while keeping my chin up."
The chorus, "I got the trigger but you hold the gun, how come you never put the safety on?" further symbolizes the power dynamics and emotional vulnerability in a relationship. Williams feels as though she is the one bearing the burden of emotional instability (the trigger), but her partner (holding the gun) fails to take the necessary precautions (putting the safety on) to protect her from harm or address their own issues.
Overall, "Trigger" captures the contradictory emotions and complexities of love - the pain, the longing, and the struggle for balance and security.
Line by Line Meaning
All I ever had to say about love is a sad song
The way I express my feelings about love is through melancholic music.
I get off on telling everybody what went wrong
I find pleasure in sharing the negative aspects and failures of my relationships with others.
It makes me feel like the pain had a purpose
By discussing my pain, it gives me a sense that the suffering I endured had meaning.
Keeps me believing
It helps me maintain my belief that love is worth pursuing.
That maybe it's worth it
There is a possibility that love is worth the struggles.
Truth is all I really want is
To be honest, all I truly desire is
Somebody who wants me
Someone who genuinely desires my presence and companionship.
Somebody I can count on
Someone I can rely on and trust.
Who won't disappoint me
Someone who won't let me down or break my heart.
At first it seems easy
In the beginning, it appears simple and effortless.
I vow not to give up
I promise myself to persevere and not quit.
Let 'em debase me
Allow others to degrade or belittle me.
While keeping my chin up
However, I will maintain a positive attitude and stay strong.
'Cause I got the trigger but you hold the gun
I possess the emotional vulnerability, but you have the control and power to hurt me.
How come you never put the safety on?
Why do you never take precautions to prevent causing me harm?
So what do people sing about once they've finally found it
What do individuals write songs about after they have found true love?
Take it for granted think of how they were better without it?
Do they start taking it for granted and imagine that they were happier before finding love?
I'd like to imagine
I would prefer to envision
I'd never be like that
I would never become like that
But if I'm honest
However, if I'm being truthful
I know I already have
I am aware that I have already done so
I got the trigger but you hold the gun
I possess the emotional vulnerability, while you have the ability to cause harm.
How come you never put the safety on?
Why do you never take precautions to prevent causing me pain?
I got the trigger but you own the gun
I may have the emotional vulnerability, but you have complete control over the situation.
How come you never put the safety on?
Why do you never take steps to protect me from getting hurt?
Yeah, I got the trigger but you hold the gun
Yes, I am emotionally exposed, but you possess the power to affect me.
How come you never put the safety on?
Why do you never take measures to ensure my emotional well-being?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hayley Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leandro Torres
All I ever had to say about love is a sad song
I get off on telling everybody what went wrong
It makes me feel like the pain had a purpose
Keeps me believing
That maybe it's worth it
Truth is all I really want is
Somebody who wants me
Somebody I can count on
Who won't disappoint me
At first it seems easy
I vow not to give up
Let 'em debase me
While keeping my chin up
'Cause I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
So what do people sing about once they've finally found it
Take it for granted think of how they were better without it?
I'd like to imagine
I'd never be like that
But if I'm honest
I know I already have
'Cause I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
'Cause I got the trigger but you own the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
Yeah, I got the trigger but you hold the gun
How come you never put the safety on?
misfitmaik
I wouldn't mind if Hayley will release another album this year, I could never get enough
Nakita Rose
If grammy’s were actually awarded fairly, in my opinion this album would be nominated in multiple categories 🏆🏆🏆
O S
Hayley doesnt need grammy...its other way around
Maria Moraes
Felt your comment
Heather Hermes
Her vocal control has become such a force. This is absolutely stunning.
Hannah Katleen
Yep, will definitely be THAT song you dance to with a glass of wine
barbara jones
Agreed
Major Robinson
and a lil scented candle going on a Friday evening in February.... exactly my plans minus the wine because I'm 16😌
Hannah Katleen
@Major Robinson do a sparkling grape juice and pretend that its wine! Lol
Major Robinson
@Hannah Katleen I will certainly be doing that. I even have a wine glass