“Still Into You” appears on Paramore’s 2013 self-titled album. Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, the album finds the pop-punk legends experimenting with new directions and new themes. There’s a sense of freedom in the band’s expanding sound, most notably on “Still Into You”, which finds singer Hayley Williams belting a summery love song. But don’t call it sappy.
It’s Not a Walk in the Park
A crucial part of any long relationship is endurance. Which, itself, is a kind of survival. Williams acknowledges the difficulties in the opening verse. And the very idea of holding one another reiterates the need for support. Holding on. Hanging on. Survival.
Can’t count the years on one hand that we’ve been together,
I need the other one to hold you, make you feel, make you feel better.
It’s not a walk in the park to love each other,
But when our fingers interlock, can’t deny, can’t deny you’re worth it.
Relationships require work. We cultivate, maintain, and nurture them. So what’s the payoff? The lingering butterflies from the honeymoon phase.
I should be over all the butterflies,
But I’m into you.
And, baby, even on our worst nights,
I’m into you.
Let ’em wonder how we got this far,
’Cause I don’t really need to wonder at all.
Yeah, after all this time,
I’m still into you.
A Happy Love Song but Not a Sappy Love Song
“Still Into You” is an obvious love song, but according to Williams, the sentiment isn’t sappy. “We wrote ‘The Only Exception’ a while ago, and that song is definitely like a slow love ballad, and this is totally not that song. I’m excited for that! We’ve never done that before, and honestly I don’t have a whole lot of experience writing love songs, or anyways lyrics that are like this,” she said.
Not sugary, but punk tenderness, perhaps.
Recount the night that I first met your mother,
And on the drive back to my house, I told you that, I told you that I loved you.
You felt the weight of the world fall off your shoulder,
And to your favorite song, we sang along to the start of forever.
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