Looking Up

Album: Brand New Eyes (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A number of songs on Brand New were born out of internal strife during a period when Paramore came close to breaking up. On this track frontwoman and lyricist Hayley Williams responds to the rumors that were circulating about the band's future after they'd settled their differences.
  • Williams told The Sun October 2, 2009 about this song: "It was one of the last we wrote for the album and you can tell just by listening to it that we were in a much better place at that point. The lyrics say: 'God knows the world doesn't need another band. But what a waste it would've been. Can't believe we almost hung it up. We're just getting started.' That says it all, doesn't it?"
  • Hayley Williams told Alternative Press: "Taylor [York, rhythm guitar]. and I kept bugging Josh [Farro, guitar] to write a feel-good, fast-paced song. You know the kind of song that makes you roll your windows down and sing really loud even in dead-stop traffic (for those of you in L.A.)? I drove over to Josh's one day. It was starting to get warmer outside and the sky was so clear. I didn't get out much during this time, so it was an exceptionally good day for me. When I got there, he handed me a demo and I took off with it. While I was driving away, the sun was in my rear view mirror. I rolled my windows down. Then I realized we had that song! All the lyrics are pretty self explanatory. By the end of the writing process for Brand New Eyes, we were in such a different place than we'd started. I felt lucky that we'd made it through our differences and the last year. And I thought how dumb we would've been to give up on everything we built. This is my favorite song on the record because it's the most honest that I could've been about how proud I am of Paramore."

Comments: 2

  • Trever from N. Syracuse, Nythis song is great :)
  • Alan from The Meadow Of Rainbows, United KingdomI thought this song was written after they had worked out their differences, and things were "looking up"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.