Misery Business

Album: Riot! (2007)
Charted: 17 26
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Hayley Nichole Williams, Joshua Neil Farro
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 30

  • Miranda Walter from Marylandgreat song great video!
  • Roger Bennett from Newington Ctan hour glass figure is the opposite of skinny - it's big boobs, big hips and a small waist
  • Lia from WashingtonTo me, this song sounds like it's about a physically attractive girl stealing someone Hayley has feelings for. ("He was the only one for me") The girl is manipulative, and ends up throwing him away when she's done with him. ("I waited eight long months, she finally set him free") Then, Hayley picks him back up, taking away the girl's power over his feelings. ("Two weeks and we caught on fire. She's got it out for me, but I wear the biggest smile") That pisses her off, but she can't get him back because he's with someone better now. ("I watched his wildest dreams come true, not one of them involving you") To me, it feels like Hayley is feeling triumphant because she "stole" her power through authenticity rather than using her body. ("Once a whore, you're nothing more, I'm sorry that'll never change") ("Well there's a million other girls who do it just like you, looking as innocent as possible...Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse") ("God, it just feels so good") That's my interpretation. :)
  • Leonardo from Connecticut Since when does "body like an hour glass" mean skinny? It means vuloptuous.
  • Megan from Stevenson, AlThis is great! Love this song and video!
  • Lydia from Cleveland, OhI usually love Paramore - but this song stings to my core. I just heard this song and I had to google the lyrics to make sure I was understanding what I thought I heard. I'm not sure why girls have the need to "win" guys from other girls. What have you won, really? "Ding, ding, ding.....let's look at the lovely gift this young lady just won....oh look, it's a cute guy! CONGRATULATIONS! You must be so much better than that OTHER girl he was with! But wait, there's more! As a lovely parting gift, he'll cheat on you, too. Because, we all know if he cheats WITH you, he'll cheat ON you!" Bitter? Maybe....I just don't like this message. These are all innocent lyrics when they are high school games, but in my world....it was my husband. I fought for my marriage and asked this girl to let my husband and I try to work things out....I even told her if it didn't work that I would gladly bow out and she could have him. She pretty much laughed in my face. I'm actually doing really well on my own and really happy with my life (without him) but my little boy is confused and scared by the changes in his world. I'm able to rationalize and adjust, my son doesn't have that ability at his age. I just believe there are healthier ways to prove your worth. Live your life for you and prove you are a better person by being a good person. I don't wish bad things upon them, but unfortunately, my trusty ol' friend Karma has paid both of them many visits this past year.
  • Charlie from Las Vegas, Nvoh i remember the first time i watched the music video for this song. it was the summer before i started middle school. but enough about that.

    i can relate to the song in a really twisted way. back last october i was in a relationship with this one girl, whom i guess you could consider a prep just like the girl in the song. anyway whenever i mentioned other girls i'd always have to tell her "don't worry, she and i are just friends. geez." and she'd be like "oh okay" but i could tell she was thinking "oh if i ever catch you making out with her i will f--king kill you both" or some s--t like that. which is kind of weird, because about a week or so before i broke up with her, i dreamt that my ex-girlfriend and i just randomly started making out inside one of the hallways at my school during Homecoming, and that SHE walked in on us (i shouldn't have to tell you people whom i meant by "SHE."). so i took the dream as a sign from the Man Upstairs telling me to break up with her. now i just have yet to get my FIRST ex back. then i'd have it made.

    feel free to email me- wolfbiker2009@hotmail.com
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnHayley has an exceptional voice. Love that red hair!
  • Hope from Naperville, Ili say this is about a guy hayley thought she had...then another girl got him, let him go, and haley took him back...now the girl hates hayley...
    avril and hayley are different. i like them both a lot--- so lets not judge. The farros, taylor, and jeremy are extremely talented, more than avrils band...which might effect their sounds
  • Jack from Denver, CoOn what Chris said, this is what Avril Lavigne wishes to be. This is what she will never be. This is something to fantastic for that decently talented girl to comprehend.
  • Megan from Acton, Onwow. there are many comments on this song.
    I love this song so much! and yeah, like some people said...it's like my school too.
  • Liz from Tunkhannock, PaThis song so true in my school.

    But i absoultey love this song!<3
  • Cristal from New York, NyWell, for those who may think its just a song and the video more or less tells you what it means. It don't! It's about the band and especially about Hayley.(Come on,She did write it!)I believe it's about how Hayley had a crush on one of her band mates. And he met this girl and she was hot, smart and she knew the Hayley liked him. So, she messed around with his feelings cause all she wanted was the fame and glory and to be known.(anyway possible)So then Hayley got back at her by setting her up and breaking them up. Now she had him and was not letting go and the "other girl" wanted him back and was heated at the fact that she mess it up for her. And Hayley got the better of her.But now Hayley got her man. and she bragging 'cause she got it like that....i ain't mad at her!!!! Well this is what i got out of it. My story, though i am riding between the lines.So you decide!!! Just a fan and she does Rock...So whatever it is...it is!
  • Cristal from New York, NyWell, for those who may think its just a song and the video more or less tells you what it means. It don't! It's about the band and especially about Hayley.(Come on,She did write it!)I believe it's about how Hayley had a crush on one of her band mates. And he met this girl and she was hot, smart and she knew the Hayley liked him. So, she messed around with his feelings cause all she wanted was the fame and glory and to be known.(anyway possible)So then Hayley got back at her by setting her up and breaking them up. Now she had him and was not letting go and the "other girl" wanted him back and was heated at the fact that she mess it up for her. And Hayley got the better of her.But now Hayley got her man. and she bragging 'cause she got it like that....i ain't mad at her!!!! Well this is what i got out of it. My story, though i am riding between the lines.So you decide!!! Just a fan and she does Rock...So whatever it is...it is!
  • Joy from Dallas, TxThis song has a poswerful message I think. I love how she refuses to change for a guy.
  • Rebekah from Davis, CaSince "the girl" in the video shoved a group of cheereleaders, I'd hazard that she's NOT a prep... even more so because she brazenly makes out with some poor guy in front of his girlfriend. Preps are annoying, but not that bitchy.
    and I don't understand "mutilates every part of her existence".
  • Matthew from Sayre, PaThe video for this would be a lot better if it were not for the fact that Hayley herself was the other girl. Although no one wants to admit to it, Hayley personifies the culture she persecutes here, and that doesn't make her a suitable character to be the one to ruin that other girl's "parade".

    Just look at her closely. She is like a young Avril Lavigne, someone who also rebelled and later conformed. When will Paramore also make that turn? There is the chance it will not, but look at what star power does to people.

    Can you say Hayley is your typical girl? I doubt any of you would have the chance to be around her, unless you yourself are a star. She would be the nice celebrity and say hi to a fan, but she certainly would not do any more than that, unless it meant positive publicity.

    So in closing, this song makes me depressed.
  • Z from Somewhere Over The Rainbow, WaWhen I really listened to the lyrics I thought that it was about a sl*tty prep who knows that she is pretty enough and popular enough to get anyone she wants. She tries to prove it by stealing someone else's boyfriend and pretending that she's having his kid. It's not his child and she leaves him, she still likes him and wants him back, but she's ashamed of herself. The old girlfriend rubs it in her face that she needs to sink that low, and that she still won't keep any guy forever because 'Second chances they don't never matter, people never change
    Once a whore, you're nothing more, I'm sorry that'll never change.'
    sorry about how long that was... Anyway, Paramore is amazing; my friend wants hair like Hayley Williams.
    ~~Ta~~
  • Sarah from La, CaMisery Business and Crushcrushcrush is the best Paramore songs. This band is very good. I usually only listen to guy bands like: Breaking Benjamin, 3 Doors Down, Three Days Grace, Avenged Sevenfold, and ect. Paramore is the only band I listen to with a female singer. ( out of 450 songs on my MP3 Player Paramore is the only one with a female singer) Paramore is a great band.
  • Abby from Hmmm, Ilthis song is my favorite paramore song!
  • Tyler from Windsor, OnThis song is obviously about another girl trying to take Hayley's man and she's trying to prove that they wouldn't match up. "I watched his wildest dreams come true. Not one of them involving you."
  • Rebecca from Tampa, GaYou'd think that becasue Hayley's so pretty and all that she was SUPER
  • Danny from Canonsburg, PaI like paramore their a cool band and this song is ok but crushcrushcrush is way better
  • Olivia from Stanton, KyThis song really makes me feel like I am not the only one in ht eworld who feels the same way. It is about a domineering, preppy girl, who thinks that she rules the school. Popularity doesn't make you great, it makes you like everyone else.

    --Olivia---email me---cracker_nugget1760@yahoo.com
  • Chris from Charleston, ScThis is what Avril Lavigne wishes she could be
  • Michelle from Sydney, AustraliaThis band is awesome and the lead singer Hayley can sing awesomey!!!!!!!!!! I wouild of loved to see them live but it doesn't matter i will always love you Paramore
  • Shelby from Long Island, NyHayley is saying that even though this school sl*t is out to get her, she's fine and is just going to stand-up to it. "She's got it out for me, but I wear the biggest smile"
  • Becca from Camdenton, Mothis is the most amazing song i have ever had!!<3
  • Jeff from Kingston, WaThis song is about a girl that came into paramore's life, and used sex and her body to manipulate the guys in paramore's group of friends

    haley eventually called her on it, and wrote a song about it.
  • Emily from Frankiln, Tnit's about a expernice hayley had with a girl . she was a whore as she says in the 2nd verse she stole hayley's guy i guess i love the song to pieces i love paramore
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.