Told You So

Album: After Laughter (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Hayley Williams reflects on the people who watch her every move waiting for her to make a mistake.

    I hate to say "I told you so"
    They love to say "They told me so"
    I hate to say "I told you so"
    They love to say "They told me"
  • Though the song ended up about people watching Williams stumble in life, it was originally about something different.

    "It started being much more with me trying to pinpoint moments in my life where I followed my heart or gut and it did end up getting me into trouble," the singer told Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 show. "Had we not been through everything we've been through to this point, we wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't have the deep, honest friendships that we have now that feel life-giving. So that's kinda where the song started, and then it did become about this looking at my life."
  • The song's music video was written and co-directed by Paramore drummer Zac Farro and Canadian actor Aaron Joseph. The clip features the band riding in a vintage Mercedes all wearing raspberry berets. The visual is based on Paramore's drives after recording sessions in L.A. Hayley Williams explained to Fader:

    "Zac noticed that my anxiety and overall state was just a lot more peaceful on those drives…and [he] mentioned to me that it made him happy to see me rest for a moment. It means a lot that they conceptualized a video around a passing moment we had as friends."

    Zac Farro added: "'Told You So' is such a visual song to me. The rhythms and lyrics caught my attention from day one. So I knew the music video needed to be equally as striking and rhythmic."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.