Emergency (Paramore song)

From WikiMusicGuide, the free music guide. Your music wiki.

(Redirected from Emergency)

Emergency is the second single to be taken from Tennessee pop rock group Paramore from their debut studio album All We Know Is Falling.

[edit] Basic information

Single: Emergency
Artist: Paramore
Album: All We Know Is Falling
Recorded: 2005
Format: Digital download, CD single, 7" vinyl (UK only), music video
Writer: Hayley Williams, Josh Farro
Producer: Mike Green
Genre: Alternative rock, emo
Label: Fueled By Ramen

[edit] Release history

Region	Date	Format
United States	October 16, 2005	Digital download, music video, CD, airplay
Japan	November 29, 2005	Digital download, music video, CD, airplay
World	August 21, 2006	Digital download, music video, CD, vinyl, airplay

[edit] Introduction

Emergency was first released in the US on October 16, 2005. Later it was released in Japan on November 29, 2005. Almost a year after its US release, Emergency had a Worlwide release in August 21, 2006. The UK version of Emergency was released as a digital and CD single like the rest of the World but also received an exclusive 7" vinyl release exlusive to HMV with a free poster and a B-Side Oh Star (which appears as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of All We Know Is Falling as to promote the band over there. The song was produced by Mike Green.

[edit] Musical style and lyrics

After the release of an up-tempo pop rock track, Emergency is a more heavier, alternative rock track with a darker undertone both lyrically and musically. The song features lead and backing vocals from Hayley Williams. Josh Farro can be heard subtly screaming on backing vocals for the track. Farro is also heard screaming on the album track My Heart but it is more apparent on that track and almost unnoticeable on this track. John Hembree, Jason Bynum and Zac Farro are once again on bass, rhythm guitar and drums respectively. The song has a dark, dramatic melody.

The song, written by Hayley Williams and composed by Josh Farro, is about how love is taken for granted and means nothing nowadays, and that relationships are really in emergency status. It was written about a time when Hayley's parents were about to split up, and she had to watch this happen in front of her as a child with no power to do anything about it. In her recent interview in the February 2008 edition of Alternative Press she says "I remember actually walking out the door with my mom that night and standing in between my parents and screaming 'Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!'".

[edit] Critical reception

Since Emergency failed to chart and because of the lack of promotion, very few reviews exist for the song. However Hard Music Magazine said of the song: "Their lyrics, 'I’ve seen you cry way too many times, when you deserve to be alive' on the captivating "Emergency," empathize with anyone who has ever attempted to ease somebody else’s pain. Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they can’t feel'". Emotional Punk described Emergency as showing of Hayley Williams' "impressive vocal style".

[edit] Music video

The music video begins with the band members sitting and walking round a derelict room with ripped attire and cuts and bandages on various parts of their body. The director walks in, throwing Hayley some carnations, and he leads them outside. Outside we see a set with cameras and lighting, and the band gets blood make-up touch-up. The director mouths "Action!" and the band does a group performance.

The carnations worn by each band member in the music video represent "emotional baggage" being carried around, stated Williams in an interview. The video was directed by Shane Drake who also directed their Pressure video as well. Shane Drake continues to direct their other music videos as well, such as their latest singles Misery Business, Crushcrushcrush and Decode.

The video features the band's original bassist Jeremy Davis who returned to the band after five months apart. He replaced John Hembree, who provided the bass on most of the album's tracks. The video also fetaures Hunter Lamb who replaced original rhythm guitarist Jason Bynum.

[edit] Live performance

The band performed Emergency on BBC Radio 1 in the UK in May 2008.

[edit] Trivia

The dress Hayley wears along with the shirt guitarist Josh Farro wore in the video can now be found in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in the Warped Tour exhibit.
It was also released as a part of the "Class of '06" Kerrang! compilation CD, marking it as one of the most popular rock songs released that year.

[edit] Track listing

Track	Title	Duration
1	Emergency	4:00
2	Oh Star (UK only)	3:50

[edit] Credits

Hayley Williams-lead and backing vocals, lyrics
Josh Farro-backing vocals, lead guitar, songwriting
Jason Bynum-rhythm guitar
John Hembree-bass guitar
Zac Farro-drums
Mike Green-producer
Shane Drake-music video director

[edit] External links

[edit] Paramore single chronology

Last single	This single	Next single
Pressure (2005/2006)	Emergency (2005/2006)	All We Know (2005/2006)