Hayley Williams reimagines a Paramore classic in duet with fans—watch
Hayley Williams is revisiting one of Paramore’s most classic songs in a duet with fans. This week, she took over her hair brand Good Dye Young’s TikTok account again where she performed a new rendition of “The Only Exception.” For the video, Williams joined TikTok users @rachiichachii and @richmusicrich whose covers of the Brand New Eyes […]
Over the past year, Williams has gotten involved with the Paramore trends that have emerged on TikTok. Although Williams doesn’t have a TikTok profile of her own, that hasn’t stopped her from sharing videos on Good Dye Young‘s account from time to time.
Now, Williams is serving even more Paramore content on TikTok this week. Earlier this month, TikTok user @richmusicrichshared a beautiful cover of “The Only Exception.” Since its release, the video has earned over 2.6 million views. As well, the video has inspired a number of other renditions of the Brand New Eyes classic including one from Rachael Jenkins (@rachiichachii) who posted a duet of the song with @richmusicrich.
Eventually, the TikTok duet caught the attention of Williams who decided to add her own spin to the 2009 song. Earlier this week, Williams posted a new video layering her vocals on top of @rachiichachii and @richmusicrich’s beautiful cover.
For the TikTok, Williams incorporated new harmonies and a fresh take on the song’s melody that isn’t heard in the original recording. Together, the layering of all three artists’ vocals creates a delicate and mellifluous new version of “The Only Exception.”
Williams’ TikTok duet is available to watch below.
Similarly, @richmusicrich also shared their reaction to Williams’ duet this week. The brief video shows them in sheer disbelief that the Paramore frontwoman saw their video and decided to make a TikTok duet with them.
“Surreal AF,” @richmusicrich says in the TikTok video’s caption.
Back in June, Williams caused quite a stir when she seemingly revealed “The Only Exception” is one of her least favorite Paramore songs. The frontwoman took part in a viral social media trend where she ranked her favorite Paramore albums and songs. However, when it came to ranking her favorite songs on Brand New Eyes, Williams made it clear which track she’s not too fond of anymore.
“You know what, fuck it,” she tweeted. “BNE top 5: 1. Anything 2. Except 3. The 4. Only 5. Exception.”
Not long after the album’s release, Williams began shifting focus back to Paramore. Since last year, rumors have been swirling that Williams, Taylor Yorkand Zac Farro might be working on a new album. In fact, Williams has already offered some insight into what their new music could sound like. Back in May, Williams told NME that the trio’s new sound may be influenced by the music they grew up listening to.
“We’ve thought about [the next Paramore album],” Williams told NME. “Taylor’s mentioned things like: ‘Oh, God, I miss guitars. We’ve found ourselves listening to a lot of older music that we grew up being inspired by. T and I liked stuff that was a bit more ratty sounding: The Rapture, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. All three of us loved Queens Of The Stone Age’s Songs For The Deaf.”
Fallon went on to say that one of Swift’s albums will be called “Paramore” since it rhymes with her previous album titles. In the end, Fallon finished the quip by saying that Paramore will release a new album called “Taylor Swift.” Of course, Fallon’s remarks caught the attention of the trio who used the opportunity to seemingly confirm new music is in the works.
“Jimmy, don’t wake the Paramore stans just yet,” Paramore tweeted in December.
“Actually no! I was just ready,” Williams tweeted. “I always knew that at a certain point when I started feeling a little braver, I’d go back to red. Hair is a great indicator of so many things. This is where I tag @gooddyeyoung and plug my own company like an ass.”
actually no! I was just ready. I always knew that at a certain point when I started feeling a little braver, I’d go back to red. hair is a great indicator of so many things. this is where I tag @gooddyeyoung and plug my own company like an ass https://t.co/oZ58xlx6Mz
Along with this, Williams also went on to say that she has no plans to release another solo album. Although she has plenty of other solo material written, she is more focused on creating a new Paramore album for now.
“There are more songs, yeah. But I’m not planning on another solo album,” she said on Twitter. “And I’m not sure if they’d be great for Paramore. I’m ready for the next Paramore album. Let’s go.”
there are more songs, yeah. but I’m not planning on another solo album. and I’m not sure if they’d be great for Paramore. I’m ready for the next Paramore album. let’s go. https://t.co/J6nBAO5PIe
Earlier this month, Williams also revealed the real reason why Paramore have never released a full documentary. In the past, Paramore have debuted a series of mini-docs including ones during the Brand New Eyes andAfter Laughter eras. As it turns out, the band have actually filmed three different full-length documentaries in the past decade. However, none of the documentaries were ever completed.
“We have filmed three separate times for different docs over a span of the last decade and all three times said docs were never finished the universe simply does not want a Paramore doc,” Williams said on Twitter.
we have filmed 3 separate times for different docs over a span of the last decade and all 3 times said docs were never finished the universe simply does not want a Paramore doc
For now, it’s unknown when Paramore’s next album may arrive. However, if history repeats itself, fans may get to hear it sometime this year. Since the release of 2009’s Brand New Eyes, Paramore have steadily released a new full-length studio album every four years. With After Laughter making its debut in 2017, it’s possible we could hear new Paramore music in 2021.
What are your reactions to Hayley Williams’ “The Only Exception” TikTok duet? Let us know in the comments below.