Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris

Album: Petals for Armor (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Hayley Williams sings about how she'd like women everywhere to realize their worth. The songstress uses flowers as a metaphor for growth and self-discovery as she thinks of "all the wilted women" moving toward the light.
  • Williams explained to Pitchfork that she set out to "write poetically about being a woman and relating to other women, especially being in an industry in which women are pitted against each other a lot, even still."

    For many years, Williams was in a difficult relationship with New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert. Because she had little faith in their relationship, it was hard for her to trust anyone around her, particularly other women. It was only in her late 20s when Paramore started touring with other females, such as Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, Julien Baker, and Soccer Mommy, that Williams found herself surrounded by women she could relate to. She wrote this breezy feminist meditation about "discovering just how powerful and profound the connection is between myself and other women in my life."
  • Boygenius, the project of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, sing ghostly backup vocals. Williams said: "I was so honored. They are three really important women in our music scene that are telling truths in unique ways."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.