Paramore – Misery Business
October 19, 2007“Misery Business” by Paramore
From the album, “Riot!”
One of the most exhilarating and exciting singles to be released this year has been Paramore’s “Misery Business.”
If Paramore will make it big is anyone’s guess. In an age of internet searches for information about a band, it’s curious that they didn’t name the band “Paramour.” And “Misery Business?” It’s a hard title to know, but what else could they have called the song, “God, It Feels So Good?” I guess not.
Breathlessly touted as the next “Avril Lavigne,” singer Haley Williams is the center of this group’s attention. “Avril with twice the pipes,” some say. I beg to differ, however I do agree that William’s voice is nice. It kind of reminds me of The Sundays’ singer, Harriet Wheeler in some of their songs, but in many other Paramore songs her voice sounds like many other female singers.
Though “Misery Business” is admittedly a great song musically, there are aspects of it that are not God-pleasing and are downright sinful.
When I first heard the song, I didn’t really get what Williams was singing about. I thought maybe it was about becoming a rock star, and rubbing it in the face of other bands.
However, after looking at the lyrics on the web, I’m disappointed to see that it’s about boasting about Williams’ new boyfriend to his ex-girlfriend.
Lyrics found at www.metrolyrics.com
Second chances they don’t never 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 up, now look this way!Whoa…well 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 feels 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 …
Let’s look at each of the sins represented in this song:
1. Boasting - 1 Corinthians 13:4 states “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” Boasting goes hand in hand with pride, and pride is the pal of idolatry. The 2nd commandment says that we are not to make idols for ourselves (Exodus 20:4). How often we make idols out of ourselves. It’s OK to love yourself, but to love yourself above God is not.
2. Lack of Forgiveness – Jesus says we are to forgive not 7 times, but 77 times. Does that mean we can only forgive 77 times? What about #78? No, our forgiveness should know no limits.
3. God’s name in vain – The 3rd of the 10 commandments states “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)
I didn’t mention “whore” because I think many are misusing that word these days. Today’s definition of “whore” seems more like a girl who likes a boy that you like.
The dictionary definition of ‘paramour’ follows (from dictionary.com)
1. an illicit lover, esp. of a married person.
2. any lover.
You can see by the lyrics of “Misery Business” and the definition of the band’s name that this group isn’t interested in morality, unfortunately.
Haley, you’re band is from Franklin, TN, the Christian music mecca. Why don’t you bring yourself over to our side? It’s not too late. The Bible says, “and everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21) Be saved today!
well, since u seem to know so much about the bible, why dont u stop preaching and show some love? just to let u know the members of paramore do believe in god. it can relate to other teens how do wrong in relationships…knowing someone can relate to them and doesnt judge them helps them a lot
Hi!
I’m a christian like you, and I consider myself to be a fairly strong one. I’m a teenager, and a fan of paramour. I don’t mean any part of my comment to be taken offensively. Firstly, I do think that even though some aspects of the band are undesirable, I do think you’re coming down a little strong. A lot of christians use God’s name in vain, and do all of the above sins you’ve listed. As t said, some of the band members are christians.
Thanks
Yeah..I was just wondering if Haley Williams was a Christian. I’m one myself. But i’ve just seen the lyrics of some of the songs, like emergency, hallelujah, and my heart, they sounded pretty good. And also, Haley seems to look up and raise her hand to the sky in quite a few videos when she’s live on stage (: so i was just wondering.
Hi,
I am a christian, and have been for 10 years.
I’m a very big fan of paramore, and I’m not trying to be rude or offensive, but if you are going to post a blog like this you need to get your facts right and maybe do some research behind the song and band.
You mentioned the band’s name being spelled wrong, and that the definition of the name is something very unchristian like,
BUT they actually got the name from a friends maiden name. It’s spelled the way it is because they found out about the meaning when it’s spelled ‘paramour’ and that wasn’t why they named the band ‘paramore’
also Haley Williams IS a christian. She wrote the song “misery business” about a good friend of hers who was dating a girl who was very bad for him, and it was a destructive relatioinship, about how she had to watch it happen and was so relieved when it was over. she was expressing her feelings about the situation and what she means can be taken out of context very easily. like the line “but god does it feel so good” when she’s singing it, shes actually talking to god, expressing how good it feels that her friend is finally freed of this girl who was harmful for him to be with. actually she felt so bad about this line afterwords though (about people taking it as using God’s name in vain) that she posted an apology on the bands live journal and explained how that was not her intention.
And also, if you watch the video for “misery business” it has a very good moral.
Actually, if you watched interveiws with Haley she often quotes bible verses. In one interveiw she quoted a verse and said “if that’s how i can live my life, I’ll be happy” (it was a verse about faith, sorry i don’t remember exactly which one it is)
and one more thing before i end this (it’s getting long.. but i just feel like i needed to say this)
at the end of the article you posted that she should bring herself over to “our side”. I actually found that a bit immature. Being a christian isn’t about choosing sides, or being on a side at all. God created us all equally. Even as christians it’s not like we’re better than Anyone else, we have just chosen to accept god as our savior.
@t – I am showing love by warning Haley of her condition. Should someone who’s walking by a house that’s on fire warn them of their danger or keep going, since they might be sleeping, and it wouldn’t be very loving to wake them? You said “the members of paramore do believe in god.” Well, “Even the demons believe in God, and shudder.” (James 2:19)
@Anna – “Christians” who regularly, habitually use God’s name in vain are not Christians at all. They are breaking the 3rd Commandment. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
(Exodus 20:7)
@Jade – I appreciate the admonition to do more research before I blog something. However, in the case of this song and band, I felt there was no reason to do some research when I (like the casual listener on the radio or viewer of YouTube or whatever) come across a band named “Paramore” I (like the casual listener) can take that name and the content of their songs at face value.
This whole thing has given me an idea – I think I’ll start a “Christian” band. I think we’ll call ourselves, “Bitch,” which is what my female dog is. Oh, but people better read and watch all my interviews before they make a judgment about me or my band! “We’re Christians, I’m telling you!!!”
Haley is making some dumb decisions- with her band’s name and using God’s name in a song. It doesn’t reflect one who has the Spirit of God living in them. She should have sought some wise counsel before recording that song that she has to now apologize for.
And just because someone is quoting scripture, that doesn’t mean they’re a Christian. Check out Luke 4:9 to see who’s quoting very obscure scripture.
Maybe you’re right- I shouldn’t have said that she should come over to our side. But “God created us all equally?” In Malachi 1:2,3 God says, “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.” You’re right, we’re not better than anyone else, in fact, I haven’t chosen God, He’s chosen me. Has He chosen you or have you chosen Him? Is it a one-sided relationship? Your comment that “God created us all equally” reflects a deep misunderstanding of the nature and person of God. It’s a post-Modern, Universalistic attitude that isn’t biblical or Christian.
You know, you should rename yourselves Biblists because you are not Christians. You worship the Bible like it is God. You quote the Ten Commandment but your own Scriptures say “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)
It sickens me that Christians are divided over trivial details and who interprets the “Good Book” correctly. The message of the Gospels is that Jesus came to die for sinners and that love is what brings us together. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, [b]will draw all men unto me.”[/b] It is the spirit not the letter which gives life. Do you actually believe God is so petty and narrow-minded that He cares if the band in named “Paramore?”
As regards to a Universalistic attitude, the Book of Timothy says “for for this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men — especially of those believing.”
Note: I am an Atheist Agnostic.
Actually i do believe they WERE USING god’s name in vain purposely. I read what one other girl said, And that’s totally her opinion about Haley talking to god in her song. But i seriously doubt it, I love paramore, There awesome, and I’m sure alot of you people agree.
But, If Haley apologized about the song obviously she knew using god’s name in vain was wrong. Don’t hold that against her, people make mistakes, and as Christians we shall not judge her.
Apparently Haley’s Christian, Well i hope y’all know there is such thing as a real Christian and a fake one. And I’m no one to say she’s a real one or a fake one. I don’t know her relationship between god and her, This is my opinion, Please don’t argue with me.
Oh And Atheist Kids, I hope Y’all begin to realize there is a god, and hopefully you’ll be able to accept him.
GOD BLESS.
Oh, boy, do I have some thoughts on this.
First off, I do have to make a point about the band’s name. It could be construed as just a name, as argued previously, but it reflects a pretty strong standing in regards to a person’s beliefs about God. Here’s an example. An excellent song is “Drive,” which I love because of its amazing chords and harmonies. Right in the chorus is the fantastic lyric “Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there.” But the band’s name is Incubus, which is a male demon who has sex with a woman as she sleeps. That sends out a blaringly negative message, as does the word “paramour” (or “Paramore”). Picky as it may be, it is a pretty strong indicator of a band’s moral standpoint – an indicator that is substantially easier than finding the lyrics to a song, might I add. I’m certain that God doesn’t care about the band name nearly as much as the reasons for it and the hearts of the people involved. Something had to prompt Williams and her group to name themselves an illicit, non-marital lover.
Let me get to the point: No matter what religion Haley Williams is (or claims to be), what she is doing is wrong. In this case, it doesn’t matter if one is a Christ-follower or not. I believe that the Christian/atheist debate here is somewhat academic. But if Williams IS a believer, it doesn’t give her the right to broadcast smut to begin with. If she believes she can, she is living in deception; she will raise her hand as much as she wants, but as long as she continues to take God’s name in vain and belt out lyrics such as, “Once a whore, you’re nothing more,” she is disobeying God nonetheless. Think of the message she is sending out with those words alone!
I do have to say that if she IS a Christian, she is setting a shameful precedent for those who are kicking the tires on Christianity – and even more shameful because she is a celebrity, able to broadcast her messages with the help of the media. I do agree that we don’t know what her relationship with God is, but I think that we SHOULD begin to find evidence regarding Williams’s beliefs. As listeners of music, people have to be discerning and cautious, and they should draw their conclusions. My conclusion is that she may say she’s a Christian, but she doesn’t act like it. The band name and the lyrics say far more than her own words away from the microphone and the recording studios.
By the way, Robert, I totally agree: Haley Williams is not the next Avril Lavigne. The voices are entirely different in terms of timbre, range, and clarity. Avril is very unique and has her own voice, as do Natalie Merchant, Joan Jett, Gwen Stefani, and Norah Jones.
I do agree that a lot of Christians take God’s name in vain. I know a good few that do that and use even worse language. But the band is as responsible as much as we put them on a pedestal. What I mean is, as long as they hold the spotlight, they will have greater potential to broadcast their words. Their message will carry farther than the words of a spectator or fan.
Maybe blog articles should have more research done, no matter what the band name is. But I want to add that the lyrics DO speak for themselves. Perhaps Williams did write this in regards to a destructive relationship, but why did she feel the need to take God’s name in vain and use the lyrics and message that she did? There’s a lot more I could say on this, but I’d better hold off. In short, should a Christian call a person in question a “whore” and “nothing more”? (The fact that the word “whore” used to be censored from Sirius Satellite Radio says a lot in and of itself.)
There’s a lot I could say regarding the Christian/Biblist claim, but I feel that I don’t need Scripture to make my case here.
I think that, ultimately, we have to decide where our boundaries are regarding the music we listen to. I don’t listen to Paramore or Incubus or most rap music because their words (band names, lyrics, and messages) are offensive to me. But it’s different for different people, and I believe that we should run things by God and Philippians 4:8. But I simply don’t believe that Haley Williams and her band are Christians, and I think that it is a mistake to call them such. It’s more than just a relationship with God; it’s also the actions that people do in that relationship. Based on Haley’s words and band name, I do not recognize Haley as a Christian by her actions.
It’s incredible to me that so much negative has been made about this band’s name without any research to back it up.
They took the name Paramore (NOT PARAMOUR), which is derived from a friend’s mother’s maiden name.
Q: Let’s start from the beginning with quite possibly the most mundane question you get asked: where’s the name from?
Hayley: One of our friend’s mom’s maiden name was Paramore, and we really liked the way it sounded.
http://www.europunk.net/interviews.php?id=173
thank you jay for posting that.
I would just like to say (in response to robert’s comment) that using God’s name in vain does not make someone not a christian. It is a sin, but once you are a christian there is nothing that can change that.
Robert you need to do some serious rexaming… Who are you to judge anybody??? I’d like to advise you to do some praying for understanding.. To everyone who agrees with Jades post,I’m with you 100%! Sometimes you just have to ignore self-rightous “christians” who feel that they are in the place to correct & judge others (if anyone is wonderng, yes I’m achristian). Some people just don’t get it!!
p.s.
you wonder why so many people view christians & christianity with some much distain…. Some people make it so unattractive & unappealing. God knows everybody’s heart, so leave all the finger pointing to him.. Obviously paramore is doing something right; God’s allowed them to do what they are doing!
Amber, thanks for your comment. I appreciate it and disagree completely.
We (the U.S.) has been overrun by a wicked culture because CHRISTIANS have not had the guts to stand up and say something is wrong.
What you say is a post-modern stance: you’re OK, I’m OK, I’m not gonna judge your behavior- basically, there is no truth. If someone is busting the 3rd commandment every time their song is on the radio, that’s not my judgment upon them, that’s an observation based on Biblical truths. I’m not allowed to do that? Can only God do that?
Is the aim of Christians to make Christianity attractive? Was the cross attractive? Jesus says to deny yourself and follow Him. Does that sound attractive? No, being a Christian is much more than going to concerts and hanging out with other cool Christians. Amber, examine yourself- are you a Christian? By the way, it is God who does the work of converting people to Christianity- not cool music and cool kids. That doesn’t give us license to be obnoxious, but we have to stand up for what’s right and wrong sometimes, and that can make one unpopular.
And your argument that Paramore is doing something right- is that what you said on Sept 11, 2001? God allowed them to bust down two enormous buildings that are just miles from me! Now you’ve got me irritated.
Please respond, I hope you do.
Robert,
I do not see how your argument regarding September 11, 2001 has any sort of basis in the original discussion regarding the band Paramore. I do however share your sensitivity towards 9/11, seeing as I lost my Father.
But just because someone carries out an action, does not necessarily mean that God has it predestined in his “plan” if that is what you want to call it.
If this were true, free-will would not be at all possible. Which is a completely different debate, and has no relation to the subject at hand.
I feel that through research of the origin of lyrics and/or band names is necessary before making the claim that they aren’t Christian. As Jade said, and is true, the name was based off of one of their friends maiden names, hardly representative of the word paramour. There are no familiarities between the word and the name. Therefor, there is no wrong in naming their band that, unless someone looks at the name and assumes that paramour was what they intended it to be.
http://www.europunk.net/interviews.php?id=173
In regards to the lyrics, I believe that the ‘discussion with God’ point of view is valid. On the other end, that it is used in vain which could possibly be true. However, simply because someone uses God’s name in vain doesn’t make them any less of a Christian. We, as people, are all sinners, does this make us all unable to be “Christian?” Although, the Bible does call us to do our best to not sin.
I do believe another word could have been inserted in the place of “God,” regardless I do not feel that because she simply uses God’s name in vain that we can be so quick to condemn her for it and say that she is a horrible person for doing so.
I am pretty good friends with everyone in the band, and I guess that makes me somewhat biased. Knowing Hayley on a personal level, I can definitely say (without having to argue it) that she IS in fact a good person, and has good intentions behind her music that she cares so much about. If you look at all of their other songs (not Misery Business, which was a very emotionally driven song, hence the use of “whore”) you will come to the conclusion that they either bring up relationships in their songs, or their relationship with God all with no condemnation of other people.
All I am saying is to look at the larger scheme of things, don’t just focus on ONE song, but look at all that the band has done, and base your decision from that.
Just my 2 cents.
I am a Paramore fan, and have also been a Christian since I can remember. After reading through the blog and some of the comments, I should share a video I saw of Paramore performing live. This video shows Haley telling the audience to do throw up the horns, which is pretty much a salute to the devil.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_5_IeI-47gA
Skip to 2:00.
Ken,
The “horns” are used in many different situations at concerts with various artists. To claim that since they tell people to throw up the horns, that they are unchristian is to say that every person who has thrown up the “rock horns” (the global wide hand signal for Rock music) is not a Christian.
So if this argument were true, then you would also have to claim that anyone that is involved with making Rock music, as well as anyone that listens to it, is not a “true Christian”
Sorry to say that your argument does not follow. I also highly doubt you are a true paramore fan if you cant even spell Hayley’s name right.
DIDO!!!-Brandon! (to haters)You have to take into consideration of how young that they are. There were basically scooped up and throne into the limelight so they are going to make a lot of mistakes, say some thing without thinking first, and at that age, you’re still learning how to handle all of the emotions that you feel and how to process ‘em all. My point is, they are only human, and we as christians should not be so judgemental about things that someone might say or do. I’m not saying that we should sugar coat it and make it seem like nothing but you just have to look at all of the possabilities and everything in between before you make up your mind about someone, or in this case a lead singer of a SUPER AWESOME band who has nothing but good intentions in pretty much everything that they do.
I was curious about the meaning of their song “Misery Business”, so I googled it. Found your blog in the process, but also found some explanation that appears to be straight from Hayley. I found it to be an interesting read. She does claim to be a believer in it…
http://paramoreband.livejournal.com/31376.html
I think that you are coming down a little too strong. who cares if it goes against the bible? who really cares? not everyone in this world believes in the bible. i am not a christian, actually i am not any religion at all. i really like this song and i dont think it matters that it goes against the bible or whatever. everyone uses gods name in vain, even devoted christians.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
that’s all i’ve got to say.
Hi again,
Thanks amber and everyone else who built off my first comment (in a constructive way).
I really do think it is wrong to judge someone so completely without doing any research into the band or the song.
Also I still maintain that it is wrong to post something like this blog making claims against a person, most of which are unresearched. (It takes about five minutes on google to find out the majority of information on Paramore that is being debated here.) To state something as a fact when there is no proof behind it, is essentially lying. That would put this blog on the same level as your standard magazine… take everything you read with a grain of salt.
Jade(number two) is absolutely right. Who posting comments on this blog has not sinned? ?
And Robert, the comparison to 9/11 was reaching a little bit too much. Especially since you are comparing a teenager’s success in the music industry to a tragic event, which killed so many people and affected so many lives that America has still not fully recovered from it.
At the same time all of this here is a matter of opinion. I did say in my first comment that Haley IS a Christian, and I say that because she has claimed to be a believer, and since I do not know her personally I have to take what she says about herself as the truth. But honestly there is no way for any one but God and herself to know for sure.
Speculating on some of the less appealing parts in Misery Business is one thing. But on the other hand, being blatantly judgmental and actually-I believe-cruel (not to Haley only. but in a few of the comment responses where you attack anyone who has a opposite opinion than you) is not at all necessary or helpful or Christian like.
Robert… you need to take a good hard long look at what you’re writing, and how you are conveying yourself. I obviously don’t know you — but you’re coming across as this insane Bible thumper. I believe in Jesus Christ whole-heartedly, and believe that Paramore does as well. You need to look at the “thank you” section of their album cover (Riot!). Jesus Christ is mentioned first. None of us are perfect. Please keep in mind; it’s not what we say, it’s how we live. You’re passing judgment on a band you’ve honestly done no research on. What’s Godly about that? The Bible teaches us not to judge… I would’ve thought you be aware of that with as well as you seem to be able to quote your Bible.
[...] the following review is a parody of what I think many of the people who made comments on this blog entry would like me to do with their favorite songs. This review is not intended to give any spiritual [...]
I came across this blog post searching for the lyrics and meanings of Misery Business. I’m not a Paramore fan really, but was interested in the song meaning. I have read through the comments and figured I would chip in.
“And Robert, the comparison to 9/11 was reaching a little bit too much. Especially since you are comparing a teenager’s success in the music industry to a tragic event, which killed so many people and affected so many lives that America has still not fully recovered from it.” – He didn’t compare them. He used an analogy to show that just because something happens, it isn’t because God made it happen or even likes it. Maybe 9/11 is a bit touchy, but his point is valid and you took it out of context.
“…since I do not know her personally I have to take what she says about herself as the truth. But honestly there is no way for any one but God and herself to know for sure.” – I’m sorry, but according to scripture, this is incorrect. The bible clearly states that faith without works is dead. If a believer isn’t actively living their beliefs and just professing faith, there is no faith at all. Saying something does not make it true. You have to live the life you preach. People make mistakes, sure, but this song was written and performed for many months (years?) before it was recorded and a lot of time was allowed for correction.
“But on the other hand, being blatantly judgmental and actually-I believe-cruel (not to Haley only. but in a few of the comment responses where you attack anyone who has a opposite opinion than you) is not at all necessary or helpful or Christian like.” – You may believe it was cruel, but I think Robert has actually been very considerate of differing opinions. He is very uncompromising in his beliefs, but gentle. Thankfully, no one has been very cruel or trolling the thread. I also think allowing behaviour contrary to scripture’s teaching to go uncorrected is what is “not at all necessary or helpful or Christian like”. In our feel-good modern society we have somehow gotten the idea that it’s not right to be confrontational. Sure, it may not be comfortable, or feel very good, but how are we supposed to grow as a community of believers if we can’t help eachother out? You may have a speck in your eye, and I may have a log in mine, but I’ll help you with your speck and I sure hope you will point out my log. (That was a bad rewrite…) If you want to call that judgement, go ahead. But I think you will find that “judgmental” people want to be held accountable for their actions as well. It’s only with that back and forth communication that the Christian community can grow.
“The Bible teaches us not to judge…” – I see nothing judgmental in his writing. To judge: give a verdict on (someone) in court (from OS X dictionary). Robert has no say over this band’s verdict (salvation) and is merely providing observations on their actions based on biblical truths, of which he has every spiritual and political right to do so. What a sad world it is where Christians can not communicate with one another on a meaningful level without it being construed as offensive.
I pulled up the Misery Business video on youtube and I am rather convinced that Paramore did not have the best intentions as they claim. The video shows a mean girl running around school hurting people. The part I question is when the band comes out, takes out her breast enhancements, wipes her makeup off and walks off jeering at her. Read me all the interviews you want claiming their love for God; that is downright spiteful, unloving and un-godlike behaviour. All “Christians” should be offended by this activity.
I’m not sure how I feel about Paramore, but I care more about the post-modernistic views that seem to be prevalent in these comments. Label me however you want, but without the God-breathed scripture as our guide for what is good and right, we have nothing but a man-made god we project our own beliefs on to. It may feel good, but it isn’t right.
I think your taking it a bit to far.
Did they ever really say they were awesome hardcore Christians? Not really. They don’t label themselves as such either.
So I think it’s really unfair to subject their lyrics to things like this. They aren’t out to convert anyone. If they were all like “GO JESUS!” and then lyrics like this came out, I might wonder a little about why they would do that. But their not out preaching the gospel anyway and even if they are Christians it’s quite downplayed. Personally if I started a band I’d be the same way. To appeal to a wider range of audience. i mean i wouldn’t be all like “sex, drugs, swearing, AHHHHH!!!” but i wouldn’t be all like “praise jesus” either. just cause their not like that doesn’t make them bad people or bad Christians, if they are in fact true Christians. And we all get led astray mind you, and even inside the Christian community there are different views on whats right and whats not. Yes, it’s all laid out very clearly in the Bible, but nobodys perfect and the truth can tend to slid and get twisted in all sorts of directions.
We all have our days, but isn’t whats really important here is that Jesus loves them and will forgive them anyway if the really believe? Yea, I think so. =]
Ok so. Who cares? Do you honestly think anybody who’s rocking their face off to this song really cares about the fact that it suggests *GASP* things that are inappropriate!? No. Why don’t you go find every other song in the world that goes against God’s teachings and preach about it. I can tell you this, you’ll be here for a while.
And do you really have to poke fun at the song and band name, too? I don’t think that when they picked the name of their band, they said to themselves, “This name is perfect because it represents an unlawful relationship between two people and that’s EXACTLY what our music is all about because we have no morals!” The word sounds cool, so they used it. Also, the name of the song is fine as it is. You basically point it out yourself that there aren’t many other suitable names for it. Maybe, ‘It Feels So Good’ (notice that you don’t have to put “God” before it and make it sound that much more ‘shameful’) or ‘You Know You Would’. I don’t know. It’s not my decision, nor is it yours.
Again, it’s hardly fair to say the band’s name suggests immorality. Have you heard/ read the lyrics to Hallelujah, Emergency, When It Rains, Miracle, Let The Flames Begin- they all have something to do with striving on even when it seems there’s no hope and sticking to the path that you know is right.
Please, spare us all the drama. “Why don’t you bring yourself over to our side? It’s not too late.” You sound like you’re certain they’ve gone completely twisted and turned evil or something.
Lastly, what gives you the right to make such biased accusations towards them? You simply cannot say you’ve never sinned. True? “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” I do believe that is a quote directly from the Bible. I, myself, am not Christian, mainly because of all the rules you have that are inevitably bound to be broken, such as the one I just mentioned, so don’t try and use that saying on me. It doesn’t make much sense in my books. So, according to your Christian morals, you, too, have sinned. Don’t point a finger at someone unless your own hands are clean.
hi
o.k dude u need to hard out chill out. man all these people r giving u good comments and u r hard out taking it personally and becoming defensive. Just a point. Being Christian is not about telling people how evil they r. we r not supposed to judge people we r supposed to b upstanding citizens, be kind “love thy neighbor” etc.
Shot Z tell him.
Posts like this are a reason for separation of Church and state. Whatever your religious beliefs, whatever denomination you are, or even if you’re not Christian at all, you cannot impose your beliefs on others. The band is free to do as the band pleases, regardless of how it affects YOUR views of “moral standards” and other “hoity toity” principles that can be argued from both sides using bible quotes taken out of context.
Posts like this and people like YOU are also the reason that many “christians” wind up detached from their faith, and many LIKE ME wind up turning AWAY from organized religion (but NOT from God, only from religion) because of the LIES that are spread by HUMANS claiming divine backing where there in fact isn’t any. I choose to think that God isn’t worried too much about this band’s lyrics or name, or the morals of someone who uses the word “whore” while other “christian” groups are out protesting the funerals of soldiers who’ve died in Iraq. Rather I choose to think that God is shaking his head in disapproval at the post YOU have chosen to write, and the types of attitudes you are promoting. Posts like this sound every bit as ridiculous as the anti-American misconstruing of the Quran that appears on the news every day when Al Qaeda releases their latest tape the US Media.
jade you said it perfectly.
as for the guy who wrote the article, it is people like you who push people away from the lord. instead of taking something and making it a positive you take apparently everything and make it a negative. and i say apparently everything because if you can take a wonderful person like haley (who happens to be a friend of mine, and a memeber of my church!!) and turn what she does into something that is bad you are the one who is sinning sir. what have you done to lead someone to christ lately (if ever) haley is the one out there doing it. not you.
I wish I knew why no one is commenting on my other Paramore post, “CrushCrushCrush.”
wow. did you read the part of the bible where it says “judge not, or you will be judged”? who the heck are you to say that haley is not a christian? that’s not for you to decide. also, the last part where you say “come over to our side” what does that even mean? what about amazing christian bands that are mainstream that aren’t on you side like skillet, switchfoot, reliant k, p.o.d.? are they not on god’s side either?
first off its not spelled haley its hayley. second who gives a crap i mean some people dont believe in god and i’m not saying i dont but i’m not saying i do. i guess you can call me agnostic. but jeez if they want to write a song thats “sinful” then they can. don’t be to quick to judge. they are a very talented band and i absolutely love these lyrics. and any high school girl or guy who read these could totally relate to them! if they didnt believe in god (which i’m not sure of or not)are you telling me you wouldnt like the song or the band anymore just because of that? if so thats freaking rediculous! it should be about the music. you have to get over the fact that hardly anyone follows the bible these days. according to the “bible” i have sinned and im pretty sure you have to along with everyone else. and your gonna face people sonner or later who dont believe in god and have to get over the fact that others dont think the way you do. i’m not trying to bash anyone or isult anyone or their beliefs in anyway and im sorry if this comes off harsh or anything but your gonna have to learn to accept others ideas and their style of living.
This is ridiculous! Do some research before you start judging individuals. This is everything that is wrong with Christians.
I am a Christian myself but I don’t see what that has to do with anything. I think the song is great and so is the band. I also think that they are much bigger things to be worrying about other than lyrics to songs, especially ones that are not bad. People are too worried about being up in other people’s business when they should worry about their own life.
don’t agree with this is the slightest.
First off, i am a faithful christian and have been all my life, as well as a fervent paramore fan. I just don’t see why you feel the need to impose your religion on people every chance you get. It just gets old; if people are searching for religion, or God for that matter, there are plenty of opportunities for them to do so independently. I understans where you’re coming from with the whole “God it just feels so good” lyric, but there are so many OVERRATED artists and other bands that can’t even compare to paramore’s talent, that you could be criticizing (just think, and i’m sure some more obvious offenders will come to mind). Whatever happened to just listening to a song and falling in love with it for having a great tune and awesome singing talent(which hayley williams, a self-professed christian, has more than enough of). I am around the same age as hayley, and all i ever see around me are kids on the street smoking and vandalizing my country, and it is refreshing and admirable to me that paramore has taken an obvious stance AGAINST doing drugs (they have said so in multiple interviews). I am also a conservative American, unlike most rock bands today, but i fully believe that last I checked, we live in America, where free speech and free religion reign, baby! I just hope it’s not people like you who tear a band as groundbreaking as paramore to the ground. Wouldn’t the world be a little bit better if we encouraged and helped others more (like the bible says to) rather than constantly criticizing and demeaning. all i have to say is ROCK ON PARAMORE
*anyone who wants to reply to my comment is more than welcome, but please begin your response with a “dear addison” so i can identify it quickly in my browsing. thank you, and i hope i have not offended anyone, because i will admit i can be a bit rash at times. =p*
Dear Addison,
I’m one of the two writers for Today’s Music, and I’m someone who has commented on “Misery Business.” Thank you for posting what you did. It’s definitely changed my opposing stance on Paramore. (Also, I learned that the band name was a relative’s last name, so that definitely blew my argument apart! And I like “Paramore” as a name; it really works!)
Your comment got me to thinking about Paramore and Hayley’s Christianity. Here’s where I now stand: I may not be fond of the lyrics, but I definitely see worse lyrics from countless bands and singers. And what would Jesus have to say? It’s not my place to say it one way or the other, because it’s not my business. I can’t dig into their hearts and find out what their motives are; I’m not God! And when you mentioned the highlights, I realized that their positive material is significant. I think it trumps the few questionable lyrics in “Misery Business.”
It was great to read a thought-provoking opinion from a Paramore fan and a devout Christian. Thanks again for posting it!
Blessings,
John
John,
Thanks so much for the feedback! I honestly didn’t think people would care enough to respond to my comment, but i appreciate you doing so.
Addison =)
I like Paramore and I was just trying to do a little research on the band because I’m a firm believer of “God in my ipod”. I love paramore’s sound, but I’ve been conflicted about whether its ok music to keep in my home.
But I stumbled upon this and I must say..
While I agree with the concept of “he who has not sin cast the first stone”, I don’t think its a matter stoning her, its a matter of taking part in unhealthy music for your spiritual walk or not. There’s nothing wrong with being careful with what you download into your spirit. I will not make excuses for Paramore because I dig her music. Saying that she is not taking the Lord’s name in vain is just not wanting to call it for what it is. Plus, I don’t think God wants to be mentioned in the same song along with calling another child of his a whore. Even the attitude behind the song..no there’s no excuse.
I do not think the song is pleasing to the Lord, or at least thats my opinion.
please next time you try to call someone out for their lyrics and questioning their beliefs.
do your homework!
haykey’s explaination of misery business
http://grrfeg007.buzznet.com/user/journal/591811/
talking about their faith.
oh and excuse my typing error
*Hayley
ummm i think that the songs rock and for people to judge her on every aspect of her lines in the song is judgmental so look at yourselves before you judge someone else i am a christ-follower and honestly the lyrics to ‘misery business’ is high school drama and everyone has gone through it and the definition of whore today is either a person who sleeps around or someone nobody likes it has almost never been someone who likes someone you like.
She had to get it of her chest… If you read more articls you will see!!!
Hayley had to get it off her chest if you read some more articls you will see!!!
Wow. Not everything is based around the bible these days. have an open mind about it. Sheesh. Read about her, what she said about the song. Its not somthing she usually would do, but she was getting it off her chest that she finally got the guy she wanted instead of the whore he was with. Nice girl got the guy. Doesnt happen alot, and if it happened to me…i probably would be happy as hell about it too
I’m thankful for posts like yours.
People who say you need an “open mind” are just wrong, you are looking at things from a Biblical perspective and if they can’t get that, it’s their problem and one day they will take it up with God.
The majority of responses to this from people who have been “faithful Christians” their whole lives are not saved. There is no way a person can be saved and not have the discernment to know what is and is not Biblical. If a person really does have the Holy Spirit guiding their lives, they would understand where you are coming from with this post.
what a load of shit.
if you dont like it or dont agree with it then dont listen to it.
its overly zealous christians like you that made me stop believeing in the first place.
if there is a god then he couldnt possibly have created someone as annoying as you, listing all the sins someone else has supposedly commited.
how clean are your hands?
man.. there’s alot of posts.. i guess i’d like to say, alot of people made good points. i see where you’re coming from robert. paramore made a mistake making that song but oh well. it’s already done and they can’t change it. hayley said sorry. like you said.. well God said, forgive your brother endlessly. And if it really bothers you that much, maybe you should pray for them. We don’t truely know their hearts like God does. and don’t forget to pray for Israel. God Bless
Can a Christian band do well in our society? I don’t think so. Their style you can’t make completely Chrisitian. Also about the forgiveness thing there is a saying “To err is to human, to forgive is to divine” Which essentially means humans forgive what they feel can be forgiven, God forgives all.
Anyway I don’t believe in God and I think if he existed he really wouldn’t care about some people using his name in vain. Boastfullness is a sin so he can’t claim to be above us, therefore he can’t complain how we use his name.
please check out MY HEART lyrics
u ignorant…
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone”
i think you should go listen to “we are broken” or “let the flames begin” or better yet “hallelujah” before you make a judgement call on paramore. Btw “come to our side” since when are we a side? that sounds a lil strong to me people shouldnt have top come to us, we should go to them as Jesus did. i mean no offense in my comment i just try to be very straight forward
Alright, first of all, you’re a douche bag… Second, you honestly have to pull out the paramour pun based on one song? alright, thats cool… third, the song isn’t even about hayley doing anything sexual with a guy… fourth, while she did you the Lord’s name in vain, she has come out and said that she sincerely regrets ever doing that…
http://paramoreband.livejournal.com/31376.html
there it is if you don’t believe me…fifth, can you honestly tell me you haven’t made a mistake? i don’t care how strong of a christian you are… you aren’t perfect, so don’t act like it… and sixth, God’s forgiven her, why don’t you?
some people on here said that because hayley apologized it means that she knew it was wrong…more likely its that people are taking that line wrong and she is apologizing for it being taken the wrong way…and in response to the whole christian music and side thing…if paramore was a christian band they wouldn’t be as big as they were sorry to break it to you but christian music isn’t that popular and frankly most of it is lame. also worry about your fucking self don’t waist time analyzing lyrics to a song and deciding if they are christian or not because believe it or not most bans lyrics aren’t and the world has a lot more problems than some song lyrics so if ur as christian as u claim to be go out and help some one instead of sitting on the computer writing a blog about some stupid shit in the big picture go do something productive to help make this world better
btw god is over rated
Hey im Christian too, and it does say i little something about not judging other, and because you “take the lords name in vian”
doesnt make you not christian.lots of his deciples had done wrong and im sure youhave too
heres her account so i hope youll look over it and get her side of the story beofre you go on judging
http://grrfeg007.buzznet.com/user/journal/
July 11, 2007
A very thoughtful and strong response from Hayley Williams of Paramore on there Livejournal. Thank you Hayley for expressing your feelings with your fans:)
mood | relieved ]
re-demp-tion |riˈdemp sh ən|
noun
1. the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil : God’s plans for the redemption of his world.
there is something that has been on my mind for a while, now, pertaining the song, “Misery Business”. i haven’t really known what to say about it or how to say it… but honestly, after talking to the guys about it, we feel like what’s important is that we try. (whether it sounds “cool” or not). it might get a little personal but here goes nothing.
(in a week or so, i’m going to take this next paragraph down… so read up while you can, if you like details).
“Misery Business”, like we’ve explained before in interviews – and even in past LJ posts – is a true story. the song was written at a time in my life that i felt very bitter towards a girl, who i still haven’t forgiven, for a lot of things that she did a few years ago. until this person came into mine and my friend’s lives, i had no idea what power someone could have over another. i watched her use sex to manipulate one of my friends, in particular, to the point that none of us – in our little circle of friends – recognized him. he went from being someone so innocent and joyful to becoming someone who was shut off from everything. needless to say, it hurt. not only because he was a close friend but because i felt that i was in love with him. (i know, you can’t be in love when you’re this young.. right? whatever). either way… the pain that i felt, i decided to hold inside. i thought that if people knew how hurt, angry and bitter i’d become, they’d think i was a bad – or worse, a weak – person because of it. (now, to keep this from getting any longer or any more personal, i’ll finish this part of the story by saying… he eventually decided that the relationship had nothing to do with love and after that discovered that our friendship was becoming something different. we sorta fought it for a while because we figured it wasn’t smart to start dating so young, especially after what all had happened, but fighting it just made it harder and the next thing i knew, we were an item. (no one uses that term anymore, really…)
i can remember exactly where i was and what everything looked like around me when i was writing the lyrics. i forced myself to relive some of the very vivid memories that i have of the times he dated her. i don’t think anyone can understand how awkwardly dark those times were at such a young age. but i do. to finally explain my side of the story and feel freed of it all… well, i was so angry and so happy at the same time. every word i wrote was like a thousand weights lifted off my shoulders. no more burden. what i didn’t realize, as i wrote some of those lines, was that while i was escaping one burden, i was also giving myself another.
“but god does it feel so good… to steal it all away from you now. and if you could then you know you would. cause god it just feels so… it just feels so good.”
i’m ashamed to say that, although i’m a believer in Jesus Christ and i claim him as my God, when i wrote those lyrics i wasn’t addressing him. i was using his name casually. in vain, to be blunt. if you know much about the Christian religion (which i’m not too fond of addressing my faith as), you’ll probably know that one of the ten commandments is “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”… it goes on to say, “…for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” As a believer in Christ, that last part scares the hell out of me. i don’t want to be held accountable for being the cause of so many people using his name in vain. you don’t have to believe in what i believe and no one in Paramore is ever going to go around forcing our faith into people’s lives… but believer or not, i might have led some of ya’ll to believe that i take my saviour lightly. and i don’t.
God brought me through everything that i say in “Misery Business”. i believe that i am a stronger person because those things happened in my life. through that situation, i learned so much. when i sing that song now, i’m not the same person i was when i wrote it. when i sing those lines that i used to sing in vain, i mean them in a different way. i don’t want to opportunity to be held responsible for causing a lot of people to use my God’s name in vain. so, whether or you not you believe in Christ. whether or not you care if it means something when you say God. just know that as for me, when I am singing those lines, i’m telling God that it feels good to stand up for myself and be victorious after long months of confusion and pain. i don’t hurt the same way anymore.
sorry this was so long winded. i know we don’t usually speak out about our faith. mostly, because our faith is personal to us. but i really felt like i needed to say something, before it was too late. thanks for reading.
the guys aren’t responsible for whatever mess this post could possibly get us into,
hayley
I am a very strong Christian as well as a huge fan of Paramore and you are being just as bad as you say they are being. Even though the song is not bad at all.
If you read the article she wrote on LiveJournal about this song, which you didn’t, you’d think differently I would hope. She’s not saying God’s name in vain, she clearly stated, she did say at first she was, carelessly, but corrected it because it was wrong. And she apologized.
God says not to judge people and that is exactly what you are doing right now and that is a sin. Today the Christian platform is being built so people feel they have to be perfect and follow every rule and if they don’t they go to Hell. Well, that’s not true at all, because God forgives everyone. Maybe that’s why there are so many Athiests in the world, because people who act just like you are not telling the truth about Christianity.
You should get your facts straight and read the Bible a bit more before you go out judging people.
OH MY GOD!
What the HELL!!!
I don’t believe in religion!
I have 2 things to say to you sir!
1. Your a fag for talking shit about Paramore, its a band! And maybe you haven’t noticed but there are many bands that always talk shit about god! Your a fag! Paramore is a great band and it will always be a great band!
2. Obviously nobody in the USA cares for religion, look at all the teens, there like, “Oh my god! I don’t want to go to church! Its so boring!” And religion is a cause of all the wars in the world today. Look at the fucking terrorists, there out there killing our soldiers, killing there own people, just because of there holy book. They take the words from there book and make it so the words make it look like its O.K. for them to kill people, FUCK THAT! Religion is completely stupid in all ways! People think that there is some other being out there that has control over everything! FUCK THAT! I also think that you believe that the world was created 2000 years ago… FUCK THAT! We have evidence of dinosaurs and people living on this Earth for more than a million years! Oh but I bet you don’t believe that the dinosaurs existed. Also aliens, do you believe that we are the only intelligent animals in this Universe? FUCK THAT! The Universe is endless and every star you see when you look up in the sky, it has planets, and don’t tell me that if aliens do make contact with us that, that’s gods work too! FUCK THAT! Also we are animals, if you look back millions of years ago, you can see that, we were once animals, and to prove it to you I will build a chart…
Animals: Humans:
Animals piss We piss
Animals shit We shit
Animals eat We eat
Animals drink water We drink water
Animals make shelter We make shelter
Animals get into fights We get into fights
… Those are some of the basic ones, obviously we humans are animals, and if you don’t believe all of the evidence that I have shown you, then your a douche!
FUCK YOU!
This is a no win situation. I believe in God, but what I say on here will not change 99% of people who posted something. The thing is, the post already got out of hand and it’s not about the song “Misery Business” anymore. If you don’t like the song, don’t listen to it. If you like the song, go right ahead. It’s not the issue of who has the better answer or not. Everyone has a different perspective on everything and most people won’t agree on it.
If you seriously believe in your faith or if you don’t, …..don’t sweat the small stuff.
This just got everyone roused up for nothing. Like Paramore’s interview, I can’t push anyone towards a belief I believe in because in the end they can choose to ignore it or agree with it.
+
Good post, man. Well put. It’s nice to hear some relevance in the comments.
It isn’t judgemental to say what someone did wrong. It is in scripture to “rebuke your brother and they will become wiser.” It’s done all the time. You’re told when you’ve done something wrong by your parents, principal, teachers. Robert told them they were wrong to do certain things, and that is not judgemental. If you friend was cutting themself or doing drugs (and you believe that those things are wrong) wouldn’t you tell them they were wrong and to stop?
And everyone else who says “who cares?” That is not an argument at all. This post was made from a biblical perspective, so the people who use the Bible and some Christians care. If you don’t care then that’s your thing, but that’s not an argument.
The members of Paramore do call themselves Christians so they should be careful in representing themselves. To athiests, it’s not a big deal. But for Christians, it is. As Christians, we don’t want anyone to believe that we think it’s okay to use God’s name in vain.
“Love your brother as you love yourself.” Good point but by saying that someone is wrong doesn’t make it any less than love. Actually, if you love someone you would tell them that they’re wrong (again with the example of doing drugs). You’re telling them they’re wrong and you don’t want them to get hurt. No, Paramore won’t get hurt for using God’s name in vain, but since Robert and Paramore are both Christians, they DO care about being wrong according to God’s standards.
Robert couldn’t possibly have made a post for all the bands that disrespect God outrightly because there are a lot. And bands that aren’t “Christian” would just disregard what Robert had to say. Telling them they were wrong according to the Bible, when they don’t even believe in the Bible would be pointless. They’d first need to believe in God before they would regard any of the morals of the bible. On the other hand, Robert made this post to Paramore because they are Christians and they’re also popular. As Christians, Paramore would care if they’re doing something against God.
Hayley has even suggested regret and that she was wrong when making the lyrics and using God’s name in vain.
oh my…well this has certainly been an interesting read for the morning…i can understand both sides of this and i can understand hayley’s…i am a Christian and i don’t like it when God is used in vain…that being said i can understand people being upset with the context that she has written the lyric…now that she has recognized the context she used it in and has apologized for it then leave her alone…and the fact that she is still singing the lyric does not send her to hell in a hand basket…God knows her heart when she sings it and he knows if she is singing to him or singing because it is written in the song…she was young, in love and hurt when she wrote it and anger and bitterness is not a great place to be in when it takes over…the word whore does not bother me in least…it’s in the bible…obviously you shouldn’t go around calling people whores but come on…a dog is a dog a house is a house…you get the point…the only part of this song that i could possibly understand someone being offended with after reading hayley’s apology is the “nothing more” line…people have the opportunity to change and live their lives differently…that being said…none of us have the right to judge anyone…that is God’s job…we are here to reach out to people and show them the love of God and teach compassion…i think God is probably wondering why all of us (myself included) are wasting so much time arguing about a song lyric when there is plenty more upsetting situations in the world to worry about!
all of that being said…i have to add one more thing…i love avril but i am sorry that girl has nothing on hayley…the voice that comes out of someone as tiny as hayley is bigger than anything avril can do…she has amazing range and vocal talent like no one else i have heard in this industry since the 80’s!!!
after reading a majority of these posts, i just have to say that we all make mistakes, we all sin, we all need God and we all have a choice to accept Him as our Lord and Savior who died at the price of our sins, or to reject Him…
the only thing that seperates christians from others is that christians have accepted the grace(something we don’t deserve, but is given to us despite that fact) God has given… we need to give grace to others just as the Lord Almighty has given us…
“if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” -romans 12:18