Rose-Colored Boy Explained
"Rose-Colored Boy" is a song by American rock band Paramore. It was released on March 2, 2018, through Fueled by Ramen as the fourth single off their fifth studio album, After Laughter (2017).
Composition
"Rose-Colored Boy" has been described as new wave by Rockfreaks.net,[1] pop rock by Stereogum[2] and synth-pop by Rolling Stone.[3] The song also has an 80s vibe like other tracks in the album.
Release and live performances
The band performed the song at Good Morning America on August 25, 2017, along with four other tracks from After Laughter.[4] The band released a radio edit of the song on March 2, 2018, titled "Mix 2", with small changes.[5] "Rose-Colored Boy" impacted American contemporary hit radio on March 27, 2018.[6]
Williams often interpolates the lyrics of Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love into the chorus.
Music video
A music video for the song was released on February 5, 2018.[7] It was directed by Warren Fu and produced by Jona Ward.[8] The video surrounds a fictional 80s talk show called Wake Up! Roseville, with the band members hosting.[9] As hosts, the band members are under constant stress from executives, who scold the band (particularly vocalist Hayley Williams) for not creating a more positive environment, matching the lyrics "I ain't gon' smile if I don't want to".[10] Williams at one point, frustrated, yells "F*ck it! We'll do it live," parodying an outtake from political commentator Bill O'Reilly on Inside Edition. The video ends with the band shown playing the song and causing chaos on set, before resuming the show the very next day, ending with Williams' smile fading.[11]
As of April 2024, the song has over 19 million views on YouTube.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[12]
- Kevin "K-Bo" Boettger – assistant engineer
- Dave Cooley – mastering engineer
- Carlos de la Garza – mixer, engineer
- Zac Farro – drums, bells, keyboards, percussion, background vocals
- Justin Meldal-Johnsen – producer, engineer, bass guitar, keyboards, programming
- Zelly Meldal-Johnsen – additional background vocals
- Mike Schuppan – engineer, additional mixer
- Hayley Williams – vocals, keyboards, percussion, background vocals
- Taylor York – producer, additional mixer, engineer, guitar, keyboards, marimba, percussion, programming, background vocals
Release history
Notes and References
- Web site: Paramore @ Store Vega, Copenhagen, DEN - Live Review - Rockfreaks.net. February 7, 2018. February 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064142/http://www.rockfreaks.net/gigs/1392. live.
- Web site: Watch Paramore Play An After Laughter Mini-Concert On GMA. August 25, 2017. February 7, 2018. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207182908/https://www.stereogum.com/1959355/watch-paramore-play-an-after-laughter-mini-concert-on-gma/video/. live.
- Review: Paramore's 'After Laughter' Triumphs Via Shiny Pop, Moody Lyrics. Rolling Stone. February 7, 2018.
- Web site: Gracie . Bianca . Paramore Bring 'Hard Times' To 'Good Morning America': Watch Their Bubbly Performance . . August 25, 2017 . August 29, 2017 . August 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170829075435/http://www.fuse.tv/2017/08/paramore-hard-times-good-morning-america-performance . live .
- Web site: Rose-Colored Boy (Mix 2) - Single by Paramore on Apple Music . . 2 March 2018 . March 2, 2018 . 3 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180303122646/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rose-colored-boy-mix-2-single/1351975356 . live .
- Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access Media Group. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306032610/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. March 6, 2018.
- Web site: Hayley Williams Reaches Her Breaking Point In Paramore's 'Rose-Colored Boy' Video. MTV. February 7, 2018. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207182912/http://www.mtv.com/news/3063189/paramore-rose-colored-boy-video/. dead.
- Web site: Paramore: Rose-Colored Boy [OFFICIAL VIDEO]]. Fueled By Ramen. February 5, 2018. February 7, 2018. YouTube. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207011751/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW5ueE2vUm0&list=PLFgquLnL59alW3xmYiWRaoz0oM3H17Lth. live.
- News: Watch the video for Paramore's "Rose-Colored Boy". The FADER. 2018-02-08. en. 2018-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208014645/http://www.thefader.com/2018/02/05/paramore-rose-colored-boy-video. live.
- News: Watch Paramore Spoof Vintage Morning TV in New Music Video. Chuba. Kirsten. 2018-02-05. Variety. 2018-02-08. en-US. 2018-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208213629/http://variety.com/2018/music/news/paramore-morning-tv-spoof-video-watch-1202687978/. live.
- Watch Paramore Star as a Nightmarish News Team in New 'Rose-Colored Boy' Music Video. Billboard. February 7, 2018.
- . . 2017 . Fueled by Ramen.
- Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 22, 2017. February 7, 2018. July 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729184832/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4363. live.
- Web site: Rose-Colored Boy - Paramore Release Info. AllMusic. March 6, 2018. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142916/https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/rose-colored-boy-mr0004861717. live.
