Ain't It Fun

A sarcastic anthem about growing up, moving away, and realizing your problems follow you — set to a gospel-backed pop-rock groove.

"Ain't It Fun" is a song by American rock band Paramore, released as the fourth and final single from their self-titled fourth studio album (2013). Produced by musician Justin Meldal-Johnsen, the song was recorded in Los Angeles. Development for it began with a keyboard loop recorded by its guitarist, Taylor York. Instruments including marimba and bass guitar were later brought, along with a six-member gospel choir. York and the band's vocalist, Hayley Williams, wrote the song based on her experience of relocating and the latter's subsequent attitude. The song became Paramore's highest-peaking single on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10 and received 'triple platinum' certification from the RIAA having sold over three million singles. On February 8, 2015, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the 57th ceremony, becoming Paramore's first Grammy win, and making Williams the first woman to score that honor since Alanis Morissette in 1999.

Quick Facts

Artist

Paramore

Released

4 February 2014

Recorded

2012

Genre

Pop rock
funk rock
alternative rock
new wave
new jack swing
soul

Length

4:56 (album version); 3:52 (radio edit)

Label

Fueled by Ramen; Atlantic

Writer

Hayley Williams; Taylor York

Producer

Justin Meldal-Johnsen; Taylor York

Lore & Background

The song's lyrics were inspired by Williams' decision to move from Nashville to Los Angeles, feeling overwhelmed after the departure of Josh and Zac Farro from Paramore. She said, "I took off for L.A. as if it was going to be some kind of paradise or saving grace. I got there and realized that my problems were following me. Okay, so I was having a bad six months? Get over it." The song was penned as a message regarding her behavior, in order for her to cope with her decision. She stated, "No one else was saying that to me, so I had to say it to myself." Development started in a hotel room, where York created an audio loop with his keyboard, which Williams likened to works by Siouxsie and the Banshees and Paula Abdul. Six months later, they recorded with a gospel choir composed of six individuals: Brandon Hampton, Joslyn James, Katherine and Sean Dancy, Talitha Manor and Yolanda Harris-Dancy. Williams linked the inclusion of a gospel choir to her upbringing, in which she frequently went to churches. Jeremy Davis said, "After we started writing weird stuff like 'Ain't It Fun', we got nervous. But that was a comfort. We've grown and we don't like the same music we liked, so why would [our fans] not?"

Reader's Guide

Released as the fourth single from Paramore's self-titled album, "Ain't It Fun" was serviced to American mainstream radio on February 4, 2014. A 12-inch vinyl record of the single was released for Record Store Day 2014, designed by Williams to look like a broken vinyl, containing the original version and a Dutch Uncles-produced remix. In Italy, the song was serviced to contemporary hit radio on March 30, 2014 by Atlantic. On June 24, 2014, Atlantic released an EP featuring the song's radio edit as well as three remixes. Written in the key of E major, the song paces at a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute, featuring instrumentation from a "happy" xylophone and a "rubbery" bass guitar. The gospel choir first appears during its bridge. The vocal ranges of Williams and the gospel choir span from B3 to C♯5. Critics hailed its musical diversity: Scott Heisel of Alternative Press called it a "blast of new jack swing," while Cameron Adams from News.com.au described it as a funk rock song. Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone characterized it as "soul-powered." The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the 57th ceremony.