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Simmer (song)

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Wikipedia article


{{Infobox song

| name = Simmer

| type = single

| cover = Hayley Williams - Simmer.png

| alt =

| artist = Hayley Williams

| EP = Petals for Armor I 'and the album' Petals for Armor

| released =

| recorded = Early 2019

| genre =

| length = 4:26

| label = Atlantic

| writer = * Hayley Williams

* Taylor York

* Joseph Howard

| producer = Taylor York

| prev_title = Uncomfortably Numb

| prev_year = 2019

| next_title = Leave It Alone

| next_year = 2020

| misc =

}}

"'Simmer'" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter and Paramore front-woman Hayley Williams. It was released for digital download and to streaming platforms on January 22, 2020 by Atlantic Records, as the lead single from Williams' debut album 'Petals for Armor'. The song was written by Williams, Paramore touring musician Joseph Howard, and guitarist Taylor York.

Background



In December 2019, Williams announced on her birthday that she would be releasing a "taste" of new solo music in January 2020. Williams revealed the song title on social media on January 20, 2020, after posting various teasers over the course of January which featured a "dark aesthetic", with one including a person running through the woods.

Composition



"Simmer" has been labeled as indie pop, dark pop, and alternative rock. The track runs at 110 BPM and is in the key of A minor. It runs at four minutes and 26 seconds. The song was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and Joseph Howard, with York also handling production.

Lyrics

Hayley Williams wrote "Simmer" about her personal experiences with specific types of abuse she has dealt with in her life. In an interview with Apple Music, Williams described how "Simmer" lyrically may not pertain to everyone and is specific about her personal experiences: "I can't promise this song will relate to everyone [...] It is about specific kinds of abuse and revenge, not everyone is going to want to associate with that. What I'm trying to dofor myself more than anyone elseis reframe my anger and try to learn from it. Instead of pretending it isn't there, ask it what it wants. The answer is almost never what you think it's going to be." She continued, "There is still a lot more to share [on 'Petals for Armor'].

Reception



Cat Zhang from 'Pitchfork' said: "The first word of Williams' new debut solo single, 'Simmer,' is an enunciated 'rage'. It hangs in the air like a provocation before she finishes: '... is a quiet thing'", also noticing the lack of "distorted, thrashing guitar[s]"; instead, saying it is accented by watery harp and ominous vocal harmonies. She also added: "Like a soundtrack song, 'Simmer' sets a mood and asks some hazy rhetorical questionsbut too often, this story feels as though it could be passed off to anybody".

'Vulture's Jordan Crucchiola considered the "Simmer" music video as a "mini horror movie", saying: "The whole thing is also pretty good set up for a cabin-in-the-woods horror movie".

Music video



The music video for "Simmer" was released on January 22, at the same time as the song. It was directed by Warren Fu.

The music video depicts Williams running naked through a forest at night, seemingly being chased by an unknown figure. She enters a house and discovers a room filled with candles and a bowl containing clay, which she covers her body with. When the figure eventually arrives at the room, Williams hits them with the bowl, knocking them unconscious. This results in the figure's mask coming off, revealing them to be Williams herself.

As of February 2021, the song has 6 million views on YouTube.

Personnel



Credits adapted from Tidal liner notes.

* Hayley Williams primary artist, vocals, keyboards, guitar

* Taylor York producer, additional instrumentation

* Joey Howard bass, keyboards

* Aaron Steele drums, programming

* Carlos de la Garza mixer, engineer

* Dave Cooley mastering engineer

* Kevin "K-Bo" Boettger assistant engineer

* Michael Craver assistant engineer, assistant mixer

* David Fitzgibbons assistant engineer, assistant mixer

* Michelle Freetly assistant engineer

* Jake Butler assistant engineer

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Release history



References



Category:2020 singles

Category:2020 songs

Category:2020 debut singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Songs written by Hayley Williams

Category:Songs written by Taylor York

Category:Hayley Williams songs

Category:Music videos directed by Warren Fu

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