Ignorance (song)

"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.

Musically, "Ignorance" is an alternative rock song. Farro's and Williams's inspiration for writing the song was from personal experiences. The song received positive reviews from critics for its energy-filled musicianship. "Ignorance" had minor success on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 67. It also charted at numbers 7 and 20 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Rock Songs charts respectively. On March 24, 2016, the song was certified gold in the United States for selling 500,000 copies. The song's international chart performance fared better, peaking within the top 20 of British, Dutch and Japanese charts. A music video for "Ignorance" was released in August 2009. In the video, the band is shown playing in a room with the only source of lighting being a hanging light bulb.

Background

James Montgomery of '' MTV News'' viewed the song as lyrically being about the "destructive nature of gossip, about the ugly, tear-'em-down world in which Paramore exist." "Ignorance" was the first song written for ''Brand New Eyes''. In an interview with ''Kerrang!'', Williams, who co-wrote the song, discussed the song's meaning, and her and Farro's inspiration for writing the song, saying,

"In my eyes, this song is a huge turning point for the band. The truth of it is, growing up is not easy. We’re five different people who have to work towards the same goal on a daily basis. There were a lot of times when I felt really alone or angry or insecure. I don’t always feel good at confronting people, especially people that I love, like these guys. Sometimes it takes songs to get the point across. The song is from one person’s perspective. It’s unfair that I’m the one who gets to talk about it but it helped me a lot. The line ‘ignorance is your new best friend’ is about how I felt I was losing people, and I think the band did too. But it’s okay, we’re growing up. I love that song."

Critical reception

"Ignorance" was generally well received by contemporary music critics. Leonie Cooper of ''NME'', commented that "thankfully" Paramore's "new-found rage hasn’t impinged on their talent for crafting a joyful pop song, as evidenced by the high octane" like "Ignorance", remarking that while the song "might be dark in tone" the song is still a "fairground-full of fun." Melinda Newman of HitFix gave the song a positive review, saying that while the single breaks no "new ground" for Paramore, it shows an "increased level of confidence" and "older Paramore fans will be happy to hear the Evanescence influence seems to be gone." Marc Hirsh of ''The Boston Globe'', described the track as being a "thrilling little headlong rush."

Jon Canamanica of ''The New York Times'', described the song as sounding more like a "muscular No Doubt song," with a "rhythmic shift" at the songs hook that "suggested a quick cough of ska." Ryan Wood of the ''Nebraska City News-Press'', strongly praised the track, commenting that the song "may go down" as the "best single ever." Scott Heisel of ''Alternative Press'', viewed the single as being a "sort of a 'roided out" version of Paramore's 2007 studio album ''Riot!''s song, "Misery Business" (2007).Alternative Press (Magazine) #255 October 2009 issue, p. 111 - Scott Heisel (2009). A writer for ''Saffron Walden News'' felt that the track displays Williams' "commendable and moody vocal range."

Ed Masley at ''The Arizona Republic'' ranked it as the 14th best Paramore song, stating "Williams' New Wave pout is put to brilliant use on this explosive rocker, dripping with contempt." In 2017, ''NME'' ranked the song number six on their list of the 10 greatest Paramore songs, and in 2021, ''Kerrang'' ranked the song number nine on their list of the 20 greatest Paramore songs.

Chart performance

"Ignorance" debuted and peaked at number 67 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for the week of July 25, 2009 before leaving the next week. It was more successful on other ''Billboard'' charts. The song peaked at number 58 on the Hot Digital Songs Chart; charting due to digital download sales. It also charted on ''Billboard'''s Rock Songs chart, peaking at number 20, as well as charting within the top ten on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart at number seven. It received similar chart presence in Canada, debuting and peaking at number 96 on the Canadian Hot 100 on the same week before leaving the chart.

The song received better chart success internationally. It peaked at number 14 in the United Kingdom and stayed on the chart for seven weeks. In France, the song charted within the top 20, peaking at number 17 and remained on the chart for eight weeks. The song peaked at number 35 in Australia, remaining on that chart for two weeks. It received similar chart success in New Zealand, peaking at number 32 and remained on the chart for five weeks. The song was less successful in the Netherlands, peaking at number 82 for the week of October 18, 2009 before leaving the chart. "Ignorance" was successful in Japan, peaking at number 10. The song also received similar chart success in Belgium, peaking at number 10 and remained on the chart for four weeks. "Ignorance" is the first single by the band to chart on the Irish Top 50 Singles Chart, peaking at number 49. It also charted at number 42 in Germany.

Music video

The music video was released on August 13, 2009. The video begins with a door opening, showing Williams being singled out and ignored by other members of the band (performing in a cramped small room, that appears to be a closet). She shines a light bulb hanging by a wire directly in their faces, whilst describing how they treat her, "just like another stranger," in the lyrics. Other clips show a larger performance area and a different personality of Williams being laid bare in white clothes, hair pulled back in the style like Björk's hair from her music video "Big Time Sensuality", and with eye-makeup resembling the main character Alex from "A Clockwork Orange." The small-closed and bare settings emphasize the inescapable, rising tensions between the band members. It ends with the other members of the band being able to wrap the light bulb wire around Williams as she holds the bulb close to her face. James Montgomery of ''MTV News'' wrote that the video is "a claustrophobic, hard-charging thing that showcases Paramore: The Band. There is rumor that the Playing God is the sequel music video, showcasing Hayley getting back at her band mates."

As of October 2022, the music video for "Ignorance" has over 140 million views on YouTube.

Track listing

Personnel

The following personnel contributed to "Ignorance":''Brand New Eyes'' liner notes Fueled by Ramen (2009).

*Production
**Rob Cavallo – producer
**Paramore – co-producer
**Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
**Ted Jensen – mastering
**Doug McKean – engineering
**Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards, organ
*Paramore
** Hayley Williams – lead vocals
**Josh Farro – lead guitar, backing vocals
**Taylor York – rhythm guitar
**Jeremy Davis – bass guitar
**Zac Farro – drums, percussion

Charts

Certifications

See also

* List of number-one rock hits of 2010 (UK)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ignorance (Song)
2009 songs
2009 singles
Paramore songs
Fueled by Ramen singles
Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo
Songs written by Hayley Williams
Songs written by Josh Farro