"Decode" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Paramore | ||||
from the album Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Brand New Eyes International Edition | ||||
Released | October 21, 2008 | |||
Recorded | September 2008 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:21 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Rob Cavallo | |||
Paramore singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Decode" on YouTube |
"Decode" is a song by American rock band Paramore from the soundtrack of the 2008 romantic fantasy film Twilight . It was written by group members Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, and Taylor York. [upper-alpha 1] The song was first made available October 1, 2008 through Twilight author Stephenie Meyer's website. [1] "Decode" was promoted to American modern rock radio by Fueled by Ramen and impacted on October 21, 2008, serving as the soundtrack's lead single. [2] It is also included as a bonus track on the international version of Paramore's third studio album, Brand New Eyes (2009). [3]
"Decode" was an international commercial success, charting in the top 20 of the singles charts in Australia, France, and New Zealand, as well as earning the band their second top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified Platinum in the United States on February 16, 2010, selling over 1,000,000 copies. It was awarded the Teen Choice Award for Choice Rock Song, and was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010 in the category of Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
Hayley Williams explained how the song's title and lyrics were inspired by the complicated relationship between the book's protagonists:
I chose the title "Decode" because the song is about the building tension, awkwardness, anger and confusion between Bella and Edward. Bella's mind is the only one which Edward can't read and I feel like that's a big part of the first book and one of the obstacles for them to overcome. It's one added tension that makes the story even better.
— Hayley Williams, in a statement posted by Stephenie Meyer. [4]
"Decode" is an emo inflected alternative and hard rock song written by Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, and Taylor York specifically for the Twilight film. [5] [6] [7] It, along with "I Caught Myself", was recorded in September 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. [4] According to the digital sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Co. Inc., "Decode" was composed in the key of B-flat minor and set in common time to a "moderately slow" tempo of 84 BPM. [8] The song features a vocal range of one octave, seven notes, and one semi-tone – from the note of G3 to the note of F5– and follows a chord progression of Fmaj7 — Am/D — Am — Em. [8] [9]
The song opens with a four bar musical interlude before Williams begins singing. [8] The song's lyrics speak to confusion regarding one's emotions and a growing sense of uncertainty. "How can I decide what's right when you're clouding up my mind?" she demands in the opening line, while in the chorus she asks, "How did we get here, when I used to know you so well?" According to Heather Phares of AllMusic, "Decode" expounds "Bella Swan's supernatural love triangle angst." [7]
Alexandra Cahill of Billboard gave the song a positive review, writing, "vocalist Hayley Williams captures the tension and urgency between Edward and Bella with an impassioned, yet restrained performance". Cahill also stated, "expertly crafted follow-up Decode promises to stake a claim at modern rock and top 40 radio". [10] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said that "Decode" took a step away from Paramore's "bouncier punk-pop sound for a more sprawling, Evanescence-like romanticism". [11] Heather Phares of AllMusic complimented Williams's "crystalline vocals" on the track, but conceded that it failed to "match the best moments from the band's albums." [7]
Variety ranked it as one of the best emo songs of all time in 2022. [12]
"Decode" was nominated for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (2010), but lost to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire . [13] It was the group's second Grammy nomination, and first as songwriters (their previous nomination being for Best New Artist in 2008). [14]
"Decode" debuted at number 35 on the Alternative Songs (then called Hot Modern Rock Tracks) chart dated October 25, 2008. [6] It reached a peak position of 5 on the chart dated January 31, 2009, giving the band their third top ten hit on the chart, and spent 10 weeks in the top ten. [15] [16] "Decode" debuted at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 22, 2008, a career-best debut at the time. [17] Seven weeks after its debut, it reached a new peak of 33, on the chart dated January 10, 2009. [18] This earned the band their second top forty hit. [19] "Decode" also experienced moderate crossover success, charting at number 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart. [20] As of October 2009, the song had sold 927,000 copies in the United States. [21] In February 2010, the single was certified Platinum by RIAA, indicating sales of over 1,000,000. [22]
In Canada, "Decode" debuted at number 52 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart dated November 22, 2008. [23] It rose 30 places (from 78 to 48) on the chart dated January 10, 2009 and peaked at this ranking. [24] This earned the band their first top fifty hit in that country. [25] "Decode" would remain the band's highest-charting single in Canada until the chart dated October 16, 2010, when "The Only Exception" rose 69 to 25. [26]
In Australia, "Decode" debuted at number 36 on the ARIA Singles Chart for the week of November 24, 2008, the group's first top fifty effort. [27] The song reached a peak position of 12 in its tenth week, on the chart of January 26, 2009. [28] "Decode" was certified Gold by ARIA in 2009 and was later certified Platinum in 2010. [29] [30]
In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 40 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart for the week of November 24, 2008 and peaked at number 15 on the chart of January 26, 2009. [31] [32] The song was certified Gold by Recorded Music NZ in July 2009, indicating sales of over 7,500. [33]
In the United Kingdom, "Decode" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 78 for the week of December 14–20, 2008 and rose to its peak of 52 the following week. [34] [35]
The song also peaked at number 59 in Austria, [36] 9 in Finland, [37] 10 in France (their highest peak to date), [38] 47 in Germany, [39] 53 in Japan, [40] and 60 in Switzerland. [41]
The official music video for "Decode" was shot in mid-October 2008 and was directed by Shane Drake. [1] [42] A teaser clip was presented by MTV on October 28, 2008 as part of the network's "Twilight Tuesday" promotion. [43] The video premiered in full through MTV and its subsidiaries on November 3, 2008 one day ahead of the release of the soundtrack on which the song is featured. [44] From December 11 to December 18, 2008, the music video and the film trailer were shown in the North American theater of PlayStation Home. The music video is included as a bonus feature with an introduction by the film's director, Catherine Hardwicke, on the DVD/Blu-ray release of Twilight. [45]
The video features the band members walking and performing in the woods in Nashville, Tennessee (purporting to be Forks, Washington). While they play, there are also scenes of the band acting as tracker vampires searching through the woods. Clips of the Twilight film, primarily those used in the trailer, are also featured throughout the video. [44]
As of May 2022, the song has 400 million views on YouTube.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Decode" | 4:22 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Decode" (Twilight soundtrack version) |
| 4:21 |
2. | "Decode" (acoustic) |
| 4:27 |
Total length: | 8:48 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Decode" (performed by Paramore) |
| 4:21 |
2. | "Full Moon" (performed by The Black Ghosts) | 3:49 | |
Total length: | 9:10 |
Joy Electric released a version of "Decode" on their 2009 cover album Favorites at Play. [50] The song was performed on American Idol by season 11 finalist Colton Dixon during the top 24 week and by season 13 finalist Jena Irene during the top 11 week, the latter of which was a "Songs from the Cinema" theme. [51] [52]
Paramore has included the song in their setlist for their 2009–2012 Brand New Eyes World Tour and their 2014 Parahoy! event aboard the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl . [53] [54]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [30] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [33] | Gold | 7,500* |
United Kingdom (BPI) [70] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [22] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | October 1, 2008 | Streaming | — | [1] |
United States | October 21, 2008 | Modern rock radio |
| [2] |
Worldwide | January 16, 2009 | Digital download | [71] | |
"Yeah!" is a song by American singer Usher featuring American rappers Lil Jon and Ludacris. The song is written by the featured artists alongside Sean Garrett, Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Robert McDowell, and LRoc. The song incorporates crunk and R&B—which Lil Jon coined as crunk&B—in the song's production. The song was released as the lead single from Usher's fourth studio album Confessions (2004) on January 10, 2004, after Usher was told by Arista Records, his label at the time, to record more tracks for the album.
American singer Christina Aguilera has released nine studio albums, three extended plays (EPs), six compilation albums, one soundtrack album, 54 singles, and 17 promotional singles. To date, Aguilera has sold around over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female music artist of all time. Billboard ranked Aguilera as the 37th Greatest Hot 100 Women of All Time and the 44th Greatest Billboard 200 Women of All Time. In the United States alone, Aguilera has sold 18.3 million albums. Through the RIAA she has 18.6 million certified albums units and 10 million certified digital singles units. Aguilera is recognized as the 20th best-selling artist of the 2000s. She has also achieved 10 number one hits on Billboard's Dance Club Songs. In the United Kingdom, Aguilera has sold over 3.3 million albums and 6.1 million singles.
The discography of American singer-songwriter and guitarist John Mayer consists of eight studio albums, seven live albums, three compilation albums, two video albums, four extended plays, twenty-five singles and seventeen music videos. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayer moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began playing in local clubs in 1998. He released the extended play Inside Wants Out in September of the following year. Inside Wants Out, as well as continued performances, brought Mayer to the attention of independent record label Aware Records. Aware later signed Mayer and released his full-length debut studio album, Room for Squares, in June 2001. When Columbia Records acquired Aware, the album was re-released in September and promoted as a major label release. Following its re-release, Room for Squares peaked at number eight on the United States Billboard 200. The album has since sold over five million copies in the United States, and was certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Three singles were released from Room for Squares, two of which became top 40 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100: "No Such Thing" and "Your Body Is a Wonderland". Heavier Things, Mayer's second studio album, was released in September 2003. It topped the Billboard 200 and attained a double platinum certification from the RIAA. Heavier Things produced three singles: "Bigger Than My Body", "Clarity" and "Daughters". "Daughters" later won the award for Song of the Year at the 47th Grammy Awards.
The discography of Nickelback, a Canadian rock band, consists of 10 studio albums, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), 44 singles, five video albums and 38 music videos. Formed in Hanna, Alberta in 1995 by Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Brandon Kroeger, the band issued its debut album Curb in 1996 through non-profit organization FACTOR, followed by a self-released follow-up The State in 1998. That year, Ryan Vikedal took over on drums after a brief tenure for Mitch Guindon. In late 1999 the group signed with Roadrunner Records, who issued The State internationally early the next year. The album reached number 130 on the US Billboard 200. Four singles were issued from The State, with the first three all registering on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
American singer Kelly Rowland has released four studio albums, two compilation albums and a box set, four extended plays, three video albums and DVDs, 45 official, featuring, charity and promotional singles, and 55 music videos. She began her career in 1997 with one of the best-selling girl groups, Destiny's Child, who have sold around 60 million records worldwide.
American R&B singer-songwriter Chris Brown has released 11 studio albums, 1 collaborative album, 1 extended play, 9 mixtapes, 63 singles and 29 promotional singles.
"Won't Go Home Without You" is a song by American band Maroon 5. It was released on November 19, 2007, as the third single from their second studio album It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007). The guitar lines in the song are somewhat similar to The Police single "Every Breath You Take". In 2022, Billboard ranked it as the tenth best Maroon 5 song of all time.
"Love Song" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, released in June 2007 via Epic Records from her major-label debut album, Little Voice (2007). It was nominated for 2009 Grammy Awards in the categories Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
"Kiss Kiss" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, featuring vocals and sole production from T-Pain, from Brown's second studio album, Exclusive. Written by the two artists, the song was released as the album's second single on September 10, 2007, worldwide. It was later solicited to rhythm crossover radios in the United States on September 11, 2007. "Kiss Kiss" is an upbeat record that incorporates elements of R&B, hip-hop and dance music. The song's lyrics are about getting a woman's attention.
"Apologize" is a song written by Ryan Tedder, which first appeared on Timbaland's second studio album Shock Value (2007). It was then released as the third single from that album, along with the original recording by OneRepublic. It accordingly also served as the debut single for OneRepublic's debut album Dreaming Out Loud (2007), produced by Greg Wells. Timbaland's version omits the guitar solo after the second verse in the original, and includes an extra line of percussion, new backing vocals, and added sound samples, in addition to sound mixing and a few other minor changes. The song was the biggest radio airplay hit in the history of the Mainstream Top 40 chart in the United States, with 10,394 plays in one week, until its record was broken by Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love", which was also co-written by Tedder. The song was a major hit internationally, reaching number one in 16 countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Turkey, and the Netherlands, as well as staying at number one for eight consecutive weeks on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, staying in the top-10 for 25 weeks, and spent 13 weeks at number one in Canada.
"No Air" is a song by American singer Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Harvey Mason Jr., Steve Russell, Erik Griggs and Damon Thomas. It was released in the United States on February 11, 2008, and serves as the second single from Jordin Sparks, her first album.
The American rock band Paramore has released six studio albums, five extended plays, two live albums, twenty-eight singles, one video album, thirty music videos, and one remix album. The band was formed in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2004 by lead vocalist Hayley Williams with guitarists Josh Farro and Taylor York, bassist Jeremy Davis, and drummer Zac Farro. In 2005, Paramore signed with the New York City-based Fueled by Ramen and released their debut album entitled All We Know Is Falling. Three singles were released from the album, but none of them charted. The album did not chart in the Billboard 200 either, although it peaked at number thirty in the Billboard Top Heatseekers. All We Know Is Falling received gold certification in the United Kingdom and in July 2014 the RIAA certified the album gold in the United States.
I Am... Sasha Fierce is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 12, 2008, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment.
Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the official soundtrack to Twilight, released on November 4, 2008.
"Ignorance" is a song by American rock band Paramore. It was released on July 7, 2009 as the lead single from the band's third studio album, Brand New Eyes (2009). The song impacted radio on July 28. The song was written by band's members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro, although Paramore is credited as being co-writers of the song. The track, recorded in early 2009, was the first song to be written for the album.
The discography of Passion Pit, an American indietronica band, has released four studio albums, three extended plays and fourteen singles.
"The Only Exception" is a song by American rock band Paramore. It was released by Fueled by Ramen in February 2010 as the third single from the band's third studio album, Brand New Eyes (2009). The song was written by band members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro; Paramore is also credited as being co-producers to the song. The song was generally well-received by music critics; praise of the song was mainly about Williams' vocal performance. Music critics reviewing the song noted that "The Only Exception" was a different musical theme for the band.
"Promiscuous" is a song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). The song was written by Timothy "Attitude" Clayton, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Furtado and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song's lyrics feature a conversation between a man and woman who call each other promiscuous. The song was released as the second single from the album on April 25, 2006.
"Still Into You" is a song by American rock band Paramore from their self-titled fourth studio album (2013). It was released on March 14, 2013 as the second single from the album. Recorded in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, "Still Into You" is a departure from the sound of their previous single, "Now", and incorporates a lighter pop rock sound, while being described as "sweet" and "sugary".
"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 Paramore (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 xylophone 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.