Exactly What We're Here For

whether we like it or not

The Song

Title: Fences

Artist: Paramore

Album: Riot!

Year: 2007

The Story

“Fences” is, pretty transparently, about the misery of being a celebrity.

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“You’re always on display / for everyone to watch and learn from,” sings Hayley Williams in the first verse. It’s not lost on Williams that this is a privileged position and also that, because of that privilege, because fame is considered desirable, there will always be those who think you’d best not complain when you have it: “Yeah, yeah, you’re asking for it / with every breath that you breathe in / just breathe it in.”

That is … shitty. Particularly when you consider that Williams was only 19 years old when Riot! was released. It’s also proof that she’s one hell of a songwriter, exceedingly capable of succinctly getting to the heart of an issue. And, as with so many great lyrics, there’s broad applicability here. As a 34-year old banker, I’ve got roughly nothing in common with that 19-year old pop-star from 2007, but I can assure you that, trapped in my house for the last 13 months, raising a toddler and an infant, with a job that’s only gotten more intense during the pandemic, I’ve had a lot of days logging into video conferences and feeling like a few lines from “Fences” covered me pretty well: “And it’s obvious that you’re dying, dying,” would do the trick, as would “Yeah, yeah, well, you’re just a mess.”

This is quality songwriting, folks.

And that’s true well beyond Williams’ lyrics. “Fences” is a great pop-rock song. It’s got hooks and harmonies, sure, but it also does a great job of judiciously applying its elements. The song is sparse, with Williams’ vocals and a prominent snare and kick drum combo driving much of the song. Guitars show up when appropriate—gotta love that era-appropriate power chord solo

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—but this is one of those rare rock tracks where the bass gets to carry some instrumental melody rather than just filling out the chord structure of the guitarists.

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The result is a dynamic, energetic track.

I’m sure Williams was being honest in lamenting life in the spotlight but tracks like this make it clear why she and her bandmates became stars.

I give “Fences” five out of five stars.

1. The misery business, if you will.

2. Actually, as best I can tell, it’s just an octave “chord.” Who needs the fifth?

3. Seriously, listen to the walking bass line in this one. It sounds like it would have been a hell of a lot of fun to play every night.