Music Review: Paramore "Now"

Paramore

Now

Album: Paramore

Year: 2013

            Hayley Williams finally is doing what she’s always wanted to do in the                   childish “Now.”

               An overly indulged guitar opens the guitar, setting a greedy tone.  Part of the chorus opens the single. Williams has found some happiness. She’s wants to hold onto it for as long as she can. (“Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now/Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now.”)

               She walks outside, taking in the fresh air. The color of dandelions on the grass seem brighter and fuller. Her friends have been complimenting, telling her it’s wonderful to see her smile and talk more often. She realizes she’s been her own worst enemy all along, despite the invinciblity she felt. (“Feels like I'm waking from the dead/And everyone's been waiting on me/Least now I'll never have to wonder/What it's like to sleep a year away/But were we indestructible/I thought that we could brave it all (all)/I never thought that what would take me out/Was hiding down below.”)

               In the pre-chorus, she is determined to reach her goals. She isn’t ready to give up on her dreams just yet. (“Lost the battle, win the war/Bringing my sinking ship back to the shore/We're starting over, or head back in/There's a time and a place to die but this ain't it.”)

             In the chorus, she can see the possibilities in front of her. The future isn’t such a scary thing anymore. (“If there's a future, we want it/Now/If there's a future, we want it/
Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now/Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now.”)

            She knows there are going to be hard days. Her excitement is going to wear off and there will be doubts. She would like the ability to know what’s going to happen. She would help other people with it. It would give her hope and a second chance. (“Wish I could find a crystal ball/For the days I feel completely worthless/You know I'd use it all for good/I would not take it for granted (granted)/Instead, I'd have some memories/For the days I don't feel anything/At the least, they will remind me/Not to make the same mistakes again.”)

             The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

             In the bridge, she feels as though she has something to lose now. She got her life back. (“There's a time and a place to die/There's a time and a place to die/And this isn’t it/There's a time and a place to die/And this isn’t it, this isn’t it/This isn’t it/There's a time and a place to die/There's a time and a place to die/But this ain't it, no.”)

              An extended chorus is sung to close the single. (“(“If there's a future, we want it/Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now/Don't try to take this from me/Don't try to take this from me/Now/If there's a future, we want it/Now/Now/Now.”)

               Williams is a bit entitled to whatever she has. If anyone gets her, she’ll snap their hands off. There’s some pettiness and bitterness towards the past it’s not ready to let go of.

            The churlish  “Now” expects to get its way.