The Only Exception
Encyclopedia
"The Only Exception" is a song by the American rock
band Paramore
. It was released by Fueled by Ramen
in February 2010 as the third single from the band's 2009 studio album Brand New Eyes
. The song was written by Paramore 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.
"The Only Exception" has been the most successful single from Brand New Eyes, and the most successful Paramore single thus far, having topped the United Kingdom Rock Chart and peaked at #13 and #17 in New Zealand and Australia respectively. The single has become the band's third top forty hit to date on the Billboard Hot 100
. A music video for the song, directed by Brandon Chesbro, was released on February 17, 2010, via the band's official website. The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It remains Paramore's biggest hit in the US to date.
in February 2010. It was noticed by music critics that, Paramore, who usually write and record darker material, mainly of the alternative
genre, had, musically, gone in a different direction with "The Only Exception". Rolling Stone
described the song as "a subtle, Radiohead
-esque ballad." The song's lyrics pertain to the protagonist not believing that love exists and trying to live without it, mainly to avoid rejection, but eventually realizing that it does exist, describing the person as being their "only exception". Many fans believe that the song was written as an ode to Chad Gilbert
from New Found Glory
. Incidentally, Williams has declined to comment directly on the issue, merely saying, "Read a couple blogs, and you'll figure it out."
Other themes include trying to pursue a relationship, as well as trying to make a relationship last, which can be seen in the lyrics, "In the morning, when you wake up/Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream". According to the sheet music published on Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, the single is written in the time signature of 6/8 time. The song is played in the key
of B mixolydian and is sung in the vocal range of F#3 to D#5. "The Only Exception" has a moderately slow tempo
of forty eight beats per minute.
felt that "The Only Exception" was a "surprisingly soulful acoustic number" and compared its musical structure to Coldplay
's Parachutes
-era. Wood commented that the song was an "upgrade" that consisted of "focus and intensity". Leonie Cooper of NME
noted in his review for Brand New Eyes that Paramore were able to "showcase their maturity" with multiple ballad songs, specifying "The Only Exception". Cooper commented that while the song's lyrics seemed to be a "nondescript love song" that does not "quite warrant the abrupt change of pace", he praised Williams' vocals. Cooper further stated,
Marc Hirsh of The Boston Globe
listed "The Only Exception" as the highlight of Brand New Eyes, crediting the song as being an "essential". Hirsh said that "The Only Exception" is "probably the best place to start" with the album, describing Williams' vocals as "forging a connection" rather than "simply spitting out her feelings"; he also praised the other band members for locking in at a "sympathetic simmer". Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic
felt that that "The Only Exception" had similarities to "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" by Brand New. Freeman stated that on Paramore's All We Know Is Falling
, "My Heart" was a "blunt and obvious song" that focused on a "climax to be emotional", but with "The Only Exception", Paramore have "figured out that it doesn't have to finish loud to incite a reaction in the listener". He also noted that the song shows that Williams' lyrics have "definitely improved". Jesse Catalodo of Slant
felt that the lyrics to "The Only Exception" may be "irredeemably over-the-top" but its "vocal melodies are the stuff of perfect pop".
remains their most-successful airplay single to date), and their third Top 40 hit in the US. The track was more successful internationally, generally peaking within the top twenty on multiple countries' charts. "The Only Exception" debuted at number number thirty-eight on the New Zealand RIANZ
singles chart on February 22, 2010. The following week, the song moved up fifteen positions to number twenty-three, with the song currently having peaked at number thirteen on the country's chart. After four weeks on the chart, "The Only Exception" peaked at number two on the United Kingdom's Rock Chart
on March 14, 2010, staying at that position for three weeks but moving up to number one on the chart's issue date of April 5, 2010. The song entered the UK Singles Chart
at number eighty on March 28, 2010. It has managed to peak at number thirty-one. The track peaked at number forty-seven in Austria on March 28, 2010. The single also debuted as its peak position, number eighty-four, on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
chart on April 24, 2010. "The Only Exception" debuted at number fifty-nine in Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay chart in June 2010, becoming the group's first single to enter the Brazilian charts, achieving the following months the position at #32.
theme, the band selected cards that were sent to them by fans and featured them in the video. In an interview with MTV
, Chesbro commented on filming the scene involving Williams lying on Valentine's Day's styled-cards during the music video, saying,
The music video opens with Williams waking up on a couch next to an unnamed male and writing a note that says "I'm sorry". From there she walks to the next room and hugs an adult, who, based on the lyrics, is presumed to be her father. A conversation ensues with Williams showing him a photo of someone presumed to be her mother. The video continues with Williams in her room staring into the mirror, singing about how love doesn't exist. She then moves through a costume closet and into a restaurant set, where a rotating cast of men pose as her date. She then moves into the next room, where there's a wedding — everyone is wearing white, but Williams comes dressed in black; she flees the scene when the bride enters. During the chorus of the song, the clip cuts to the scenes where Williams sings "Darling, you are the only exception" while lying down on a giant pile of Valentine-themed cards. Throughout the video, clips of Williams singing with the rest of the members of Paramore in a dim-lighted background are shown, such as Williams sitting down singing into a microphone, and the other members playing instruments. In the video's final moments, Williams spots the same male she woke up to at the beginning of the video in the crowd at a rock show. After fantasizing of the two being together, she then makes her way back through the various rooms to the original set in the beginning of the video. When Williams sings "And I'm, on my way to believing", she returns to the couch where the male is still asleep, and hides the note she wrote in her pocket as she lies back down next to him.
The music video for "The Only Exception" was generally well received by music critics. Kyle Anderson, a writer for MTV
, commented that the music video is "by far the most visually interesting and complex clip the group has ever produced." Anderson further stated that "despite the complexity of the video, the whole process was remarkably efficient". She remarked that based on the video's outcome that it was "a little bit surprising" to know that it was directed by a first-time director. Mike Sheffield of Spin viewed the music video as a "love story" and described it as being "Valentine's Day + epic Emo balladry = Paramore's brand new video for 'The Only Exception'". Chesbro said that he was happy with the final product of the music video and that directing the video made him become more interested in directing videos, saying, "I'd really like to do more videos now [...] This video turned out so perfect that I'm worried nothing else will turn out as good. But if this is my only video, I was super-proud to be a part of it."
.
The band performed the chorus and outro of the song on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
on September 12, 2010.
(EP), released exclusively to the iTunes Store
on September 28, 2010.
-themed episode "Britney/Brittany
" of the US television series Glee
, which aired September 28, 2010. Lea Michele
, in character as Rachel Berry
, sang the song at the end of the episode as an apology to her boyfriend Finn Hudson
, played by Cory Monteith
. The performance was praised by most critics, with Rolling Stone
Erica Futterman calling it "gorgeous and tender" and Entertainment Weekly
Tim Stack praising it as the episode's "nice, emotional capper". Hayley Williams complimented Michele's vocals on the rendition through her Twitter
account. The cover was released as a single and charted at number twenty-two in both Canada and Ireland, twenty-six in the US, and sixty in Australia, with sales of 89,000 copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
. It was released by Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
in February 2010 as the third single from the band's 2009 studio album Brand New Eyes
Brand New Eyes
Brand New Eyes is the third album by North American rock band Paramore, released September 29, 2009 through Fueled by Ramen in the United States and Canada. It debuted at number two on Billboard 200....
. The song was written by Paramore band members Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Paramore.- Life and career :...
and Josh Farro
Josh Farro
Joshua Neil Farro is an American rock guitarist and songwriter, and the lead guitarist of the band Novel American. He is best known as the former lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the alternative rock band Paramore...
; Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
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.
"The Only Exception" has been the most successful single from Brand New Eyes, and the most successful Paramore single thus far, having topped the United Kingdom Rock Chart and peaked at #13 and #17 in New Zealand and Australia respectively. The single has become the band's third top forty hit to date on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. A music video for the song, directed by Brandon Chesbro, was released on February 17, 2010, via the band's official website. The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It remains Paramore's biggest hit in the US to date.
Background
"The Only Exception" was released as the third single from the band's 2009 studio album Brand New EyesBrand New Eyes
Brand New Eyes is the third album by North American rock band Paramore, released September 29, 2009 through Fueled by Ramen in the United States and Canada. It debuted at number two on Billboard 200....
in February 2010. It was noticed by music critics that, Paramore, who usually write and record darker material, mainly of the alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
genre, had, musically, gone in a different direction with "The Only Exception". Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
described the song as "a subtle, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
-esque ballad." The song's lyrics pertain to the protagonist not believing that love exists and trying to live without it, mainly to avoid rejection, but eventually realizing that it does exist, describing the person as being their "only exception". Many fans believe that the song was written as an ode to Chad Gilbert
Chad Gilbert
Chad Everett Gilbert is an American musician and record producer. He is a founding member of the rock band New Found Glory, for whom he plays lead guitar, composes music and provides backing vocals...
from New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
. Incidentally, Williams has declined to comment directly on the issue, merely saying, "Read a couple blogs, and you'll figure it out."
Other themes include trying to pursue a relationship, as well as trying to make a relationship last, which can be seen in the lyrics, "In the morning, when you wake up/Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream". According to the sheet music published on Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, the single is written in the time signature of 6/8 time. The song is played in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of B mixolydian and is sung in the vocal range of F#3 to D#5. "The Only Exception" has a moderately slow tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
of forty eight beats per minute.
Critical reception
"The Only Exception" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Williams' vocal performance was mainly praised by music critics. Mikael Wood, a writer for SpinSpin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
felt that "The Only Exception" was a "surprisingly soulful acoustic number" and compared its musical structure to Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's Parachutes
Parachutes
Parachutes is the debut album by English alternative rock band Coldplay, released by the record label Parlophone on 10 July 2000 in the United Kingdom. The album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson, excluding one track which was produced by Chris Allison...
-era. Wood commented that the song was an "upgrade" that consisted of "focus and intensity". Leonie Cooper of NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
noted in his review for Brand New Eyes that Paramore were able to "showcase their maturity" with multiple ballad songs, specifying "The Only Exception". Cooper commented that while the song's lyrics seemed to be a "nondescript love song" that does not "quite warrant the abrupt change of pace", he praised Williams' vocals. Cooper further stated,
Marc Hirsh of The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
listed "The Only Exception" as the highlight of Brand New Eyes, crediting the song as being an "essential". Hirsh said that "The Only Exception" is "probably the best place to start" with the album, describing Williams' vocals as "forging a connection" rather than "simply spitting out her feelings"; he also praised the other band members for locking in at a "sympathetic simmer". Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic, or simply Sputnik, is a music website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites...
felt that that "The Only Exception" had similarities to "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" by Brand New. Freeman stated that on Paramore's All We Know Is Falling
All We Know Is Falling
All We Know Is Falling is the debut studio album by American rock band Paramore, released on July 26, 2005. The album reached #8 on the UK Rock Chart...
, "My Heart" was a "blunt and obvious song" that focused on a "climax to be emotional", but with "The Only Exception", Paramore have "figured out that it doesn't have to finish loud to incite a reaction in the listener". He also noted that the song shows that Williams' lyrics have "definitely improved". Jesse Catalodo of Slant
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
felt that the lyrics to "The Only Exception" may be "irredeemably over-the-top" but its "vocal melodies are the stuff of perfect pop".
Chart performance
It managed to peak at number thirty eight on the Billboard component chart for pop songs; the song remained on the chart for only two weeks. However, on the week of June 12, 2010, the song debuted at number ninety on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since peaked at #24, becoming the most successful Paramore single overall outside of airplay (Misery BusinessMisery Business
"Misery Business" is a song by American rock band Paramore, and is the lead single from their second studio album, Riot!. "Misery Business" was the third Paramore video to be directed by Shane Drake, and was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the Kerrang! Awards 2007, but lost to Fall Out...
remains their most-successful airplay single to date), and their third Top 40 hit in the US. The track was more successful internationally, generally peaking within the top twenty on multiple countries' charts. "The Only Exception" debuted at number number thirty-eight on the New Zealand RIANZ
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
singles chart on February 22, 2010. The following week, the song moved up fifteen positions to number twenty-three, with the song currently having peaked at number thirteen on the country's chart. After four weeks on the chart, "The Only Exception" peaked at number two on the United Kingdom's Rock Chart
UK Rock Chart
The UK Rock Chart usually refers to the Top 40 Rock Singles and the Top 40 Rock Albums Chart compiled by the Official Charts Company from physical record sales in British retail outlets with larger than average genrespecific sales....
on March 14, 2010, staying at that position for three weeks but moving up to number one on the chart's issue date of April 5, 2010. The song entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number eighty on March 28, 2010. It has managed to peak at number thirty-one. The track peaked at number forty-seven in Austria on March 28, 2010. The single also debuted as its peak position, number eighty-four, on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,...
chart on April 24, 2010. "The Only Exception" debuted at number fifty-nine in Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay chart in June 2010, becoming the group's first single to enter the Brazilian charts, achieving the following months the position at #32.
Music video
A music video for "The Only Exception" was directed by Brandon Chesbro, who had been working with Paramore for over two years. The song's music video was Chesbro's music video directorial debut. Prior to "The Only Exception" video, Chesbro had been approached to direct music videos for Brand New Eyes two previous singles, but chose not to due to creative opinions. In December 2009, he was asked to direct the music video for "The Only Exception". Although the story board process took a while, the video was filmed in four days. The music video premiered on February 17, 2010, on Paramore's website. Williams confirmed that as part of a Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
theme, the band selected cards that were sent to them by fans and featured them in the video. In an interview with MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, Chesbro commented on filming the scene involving Williams lying on Valentine's Day's styled-cards during the music video, saying,
The music video opens with Williams waking up on a couch next to an unnamed male and writing a note that says "I'm sorry". From there she walks to the next room and hugs an adult, who, based on the lyrics, is presumed to be her father. A conversation ensues with Williams showing him a photo of someone presumed to be her mother. The video continues with Williams in her room staring into the mirror, singing about how love doesn't exist. She then moves through a costume closet and into a restaurant set, where a rotating cast of men pose as her date. She then moves into the next room, where there's a wedding — everyone is wearing white, but Williams comes dressed in black; she flees the scene when the bride enters. During the chorus of the song, the clip cuts to the scenes where Williams sings "Darling, you are the only exception" while lying down on a giant pile of Valentine-themed cards. Throughout the video, clips of Williams singing with the rest of the members of Paramore in a dim-lighted background are shown, such as Williams sitting down singing into a microphone, and the other members playing instruments. In the video's final moments, Williams spots the same male she woke up to at the beginning of the video in the crowd at a rock show. After fantasizing of the two being together, she then makes her way back through the various rooms to the original set in the beginning of the video. When Williams sings "And I'm, on my way to believing", she returns to the couch where the male is still asleep, and hides the note she wrote in her pocket as she lies back down next to him.
The music video for "The Only Exception" was generally well received by music critics. Kyle Anderson, a writer for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, commented that the music video is "by far the most visually interesting and complex clip the group has ever produced." Anderson further stated that "despite the complexity of the video, the whole process was remarkably efficient". She remarked that based on the video's outcome that it was "a little bit surprising" to know that it was directed by a first-time director. Mike Sheffield of Spin viewed the music video as a "love story" and described it as being "Valentine's Day + epic Emo balladry = Paramore's brand new video for 'The Only Exception'". Chesbro said that he was happy with the final product of the music video and that directing the video made him become more interested in directing videos, saying, "I'd really like to do more videos now [...] This video turned out so perfect that I'm worried nothing else will turn out as good. But if this is my only video, I was super-proud to be a part of it."
Live performances
The track has been performed by Paramore on many occasions. The band's first performance of the song was on November 1, 2009 in Nashville. Paramore performed a live version of "The Only Exception" for The Ellen Degeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
.
The band performed the chorus and outro of the song on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 12, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best music videos from the previous year...
on September 12, 2010.
The Only Exception EP
The Only Exception EP is Paramore's third extended playExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(EP), released exclusively to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on September 28, 2010.
Track listing
Personnel
The following personnel contributed to "The Only Exception":- Production
- Rob CavalloRob CavalloRob Cavallo is a record producer and A&R, most famous for signing and producing Green Day. He is currently Chairman of Warner Bros. Records.- History :...
- producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Paramore - co-producer
- Chris Lord-AlgeChris Lord-AlgeChris Lord-Alge is a mixer who has worked on various albums. He is the brother of Tom Lord-Alge, another audio engineer. Chris Lord-Alge is known for his extreme use of dynamic range compression in both hardware and software plug-in versions....
- mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
- masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced... - Doug McKean - engineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Jamie Muhoberac - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
- Rob Cavallo
- Paramore
- Hayley WilliamsHayley WilliamsHayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Paramore.- Life and career :...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, harmony vocals - Josh FarroJosh FarroJoshua Neil Farro is an American rock guitarist and songwriter, and the lead guitarist of the band Novel American. He is best known as the former lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the alternative rock band Paramore...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, backing vocals - Taylor YorkTaylor YorkTaylor Benjamin York , is an American rock guitarist and is currently a member of the alternative rock band Paramore. He also plays the keyboard and glockenspiel occasionally during their live set...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound... - Jeremy DavisJeremy DavisJeremy Clayton Davis is an American bassist for the band Paramore.Jeremy Clayton Davis was born on February 8, 1984 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He has been playing bass for almost 14 years...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Zac FarroZac FarroZachary Wayne Farro is an American musician and drummer of the bands Novel American and Half Noise. He is best known as the former drummer of the alternative rock band Paramore from its inception until 2010...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
- Hayley Williams
Charts
| Chart (2010-11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay is the official music singles charts in Brazil. It has been compiled by Crowley Broadcast Analysis and published monthly by Billboard Brasil since the release of the magazine, in October 2009.... ) |
32 |
| UK Rock UK Rock Chart The UK Rock Chart usually refers to the Top 40 Rock Singles and the Top 40 Rock Albums Chart compiled by the Official Charts Company from physical record sales in British retail outlets with larger than average genrespecific sales.... (The Official Charts Company UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... ) |
1 |
Year-end charts
| Charts (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 75 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 93 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|
| Australia Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Platinum |
| New Zealand Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
Gold |
| United States Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
Platinum |
See also
- List of number-one rock hits of 2010 (UK)
- List of number-one rock hits of 2011 (UK)
Live performances
- Paramore performed a live version of "The Only Exception" for The Ellen Degeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
. - The band performed the chorus and outro of the song on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards2010 MTV Video Music AwardsThe 2010 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 12, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best music videos from the previous year...
on September 12, 2010. - Paramore performed "The Only Exception" in VH1 DivasVH1 DivasIn 1998, VH1 debuted the first annual VH1 Divas concert. VH1 Divas Live was created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation and subsequent concerts in the series have also benefited that foundation. The VH1 Divas concerts aired annually from 1998 to 2004. After a five year hiatus, the...
2010 with the song Misery BusinessMisery Business"Misery Business" is a song by American rock band Paramore, and is the lead single from their second studio album, Riot!. "Misery Business" was the third Paramore video to be directed by Shane Drake, and was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the Kerrang! Awards 2007, but lost to Fall Out...
, DecodeDecode (song)"Decode" is a song by Paramore released as a single from the soundtrack to the film Twilight. It is also included as a bonus track on the international version of Paramore's third studio album, Brand New Eyes....
and My Hero - The band performed "The Only Exception" in in Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
with the song Misery BusinessMisery Business"Misery Business" is a song by American rock band Paramore, and is the lead single from their second studio album, Riot!. "Misery Business" was the third Paramore video to be directed by Shane Drake, and was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the Kerrang! Awards 2007, but lost to Fall Out...
and Brick by Boring BrickBrick by Boring Brick"Brick by Boring Brick" is a song by American rock band Paramore, and the second single from their third album Brand New Eyes."Brick by Boring Brick" was also featured in The Vampire Diaries episode "Under Control" that aired on April 15, 2010...
Other appearances
- The music video appears in Paramore's Videos. All of Them. EverParamore's Videos. All of Them. EverParamore's Videos. All of Them. Ever is a video compilation and was released on May 11, 2010, and features 10 of Paramore's most popular videos.-Music videos:# "The Only Exception"...
. - The song appears in 2011 Grammy Nominees by the Nominees in 53rd Grammy Awards53rd Grammy AwardsThe 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
.
Covers
- Sam TsuiSam TsuiSamuel "Sam" Tsui is an American musician and Internet celebrity who rose to fame on YouTube. He is best known for covering and performing songs by popular artists, as well as original medleys and mashups...
and Kurt Schneider did an acoustic cover. - April Chase did a cover, the Directed an shot is Marco Bercasio
- Rachel G. Fox did a acoustic cover
Glee cover
The song was performed in the Britney SpearsBritney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
-themed episode "Britney/Brittany
Britney/Brittany
"Britney/Brittany" is the second episode of the second season of the American television series Glee, and the 24th episode overall. Written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, it premiered on the Fox network on September 28, 2010, and pays tribute to Britney Spears...
" of the US television series Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
, which aired September 28, 2010. Lea Michele
Lea Michele
Lea Michele Sarfati , known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress and singer. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Ragtime and Les Misérables. She originated the role of Wendla in the musical Spring Awakening and currently plays...
, in character as Rachel Berry
Rachel Berry (Glee)
Rachel Berry is a fictional character and de facto female lead from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Lea Michele, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Rachel was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad...
, sang the song at the end of the episode as an apology to her boyfriend Finn Hudson
Finn Hudson
Finn Hudson is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Cory Monteith, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Finn was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan...
, played by Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith
Cory Allan Monteith is a Canadian actor and musician, best known for his role of Finn Hudson on the Fox television series Glee.-Early life:...
. The performance was praised by most critics, with Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
Erica Futterman calling it "gorgeous and tender" and Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
Tim Stack praising it as the episode's "nice, emotional capper". Hayley Williams complimented Michele's vocals on the rendition through her Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account. The cover was released as a single and charted at number twenty-two in both Canada and Ireland, twenty-six in the US, and sixty in Australia, with sales of 89,000 copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
.