Paramore’s ‘Hard Times’ Is Undoubtedly THE Song of the Summer
Every summer without fail, tons of artists throw their tracks into the ring to compete for the Song of the Summer. This year is no exception.
DJ Khaled brought together some of our favorites like Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper for his monster hit "I'm the One." The Biebs was also featured on another tune that will forever be stuck in our heads, Lusi Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito."
Former One Direction members Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Liam Payne each released some solid bops we haven't stopped playing since we first heard them—"Sign of the Times," "Slow Hands," and "Strip That Down."
Miley Cyrus's "Malibu" sums up all there is to love about the season. And Selena Gomez's "Bad Liar" is a fresh take on a timeless classic.
While all these songs are strong contenders for Song of the Summer, the tune that really takes the cake is Paramore's "Hard Times," the first single off their incredible album After Laughter.
An upbeat pop-rock masterpiece, here are all the reasons why this tune is obviously the Song of the Summer:
Simply Put, It's Fun
The second you hear this song's beat, you can't help but want to dance a little bit. Once it really kicks in, you lose all control of your body and succumb to its rhythmic instrumentals.
It's the kind of song you want to blast through your stereo while driving to the beach, screaming along to the lyrics, because it makes you feel good. Isn't that what the Song of the Summer is supposed to do?
The Lyrics Are Definitely Relatable
The groovy instrumentals may be what initially draws you into the song, but the lyrics are the main reason you stick around.
It may have an overall lively vibe, but the lyrics are a bit darker than the instrumentals. With lines like "Walking around with my little raincloud hanging over my head and it ain't coming down," and "Hard times, gonna make you wonder why you even try," Paramore clearly understands the struggle. This juxtaposition between the song's poppy beat and moody lyrics is what makes the song utterly engaging on a much deeper level.
"Hard Times" is so much more than a simple singalong song. It's very giving in the way that it understands dealing with troublesome times, but doesn't shove positivity in your face.
There's No Other Song Like It
Part of the reason certain songs become so memorable is because they're familiar. They contain the same four chords as every other song and are a blatant rewording of songs we already like, but we let that slide. In fact, we're all about it. And why shouldn't we be? We crave comfort, so sticking with what we like always seems like the best option.
Paramore's "Hard Times," however, is totally different than anything else playing on the radio. You really can't compare it to anything out there, which is part of the reason it's so spectacular. Life begins where your comfort zone ends, and this song is a testament to that sentiment.
On the surface, this tune keeps you entertained. But underneath its shimmery pop appearance, there's the message that yeah, life is freaking hard, but you'll be okay.
Does "Hard Times" not really apply to you? Tell us about your summer HERE and we'll reveal which anthem suits your vacation best.