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Paramore - Misery Business



This song is about a mean girl who rules her school and terrorizes her classmates. This girl fits the description of a "Prep," who is skinny ("A body like an hourglass"), and is very popular. Lead singer Hayley Williams sings about how being popular doesn't make you great, and how it isn't new ("There are a million other girls who do it just like you")


According to Hayley Williams, the lyrics are based on real events. The song was written to get her high school experience off her chest.


Guitarist Josh Farro described how the background to this song concerned vocalist Hayley Williams enough to post a message on the band's Live Journal page, asking her fans to post what they were ashamed of:


"The song is about a girl who ruined one of our friend's lives with sex, using her sexuality to get what she wanted. And it really affected us, watching him crumble. So, when Hayley wrote 'Misery Business,' she posted online how she wanted to encourage our fans not to be scared to say what you feel or what you're ashamed of, because once you do, you're setting yourself free. We had a huge response. There were some people that were embarrassed of using drugs, drinking, or sleeping around or having gay sex. Everything, really. There were a few parents who replied, ashamed of how they raised their kids."



Lyrics


(Hit that, hit that snare)



I'm in the business of misery


Let's take it from the top


She's got a body like an hourglass, it'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 we 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


Not one of them involving you


Just watch my wildest dreams come true


Not one of them involving



Whoa, 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

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