#BattleOfTheBands: Misery Business



Time for another Battle of the Bands!   I’m hoping this one has a better turnout than the last. This one definitely rocks a little harder than the previous two battles.



A little background on the song:

"Misery Business" is a song by American rock band Paramore and serves as the lead single from their second studio album, Riot! (2007). The song impacted radio on May 22, 2007. "Misery Business" peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 26 (for the week of January 12, 2008), making it the band's highest-charting single until "Ain't It Fun" reached No. 10 in 2014. It also peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. "Misery Business" was the group's first charting single in the UK with more than 20,000 copies created within less than a year of the song's debut. It also succeeded in many countries including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The song is considered the band's "breakthrough" hit and is credited with introducing the band to a mainstream audience. The video for 
"Misery Business" was the third to be directed by Shane Drake for the band, and Alternative Press named "Misery Business" the Video of the Year in 2007.

On July 25, 2015, the song was certified triple-platinum in the United States, the first of the band's songs to have sold three million units.

On September 7, 2018, Hayley Williams announced during a concert that the band will play the song "for the last time for a really long time", mainly due to a line from the second verse that was deemed sexist and anti-feminist.

The phrase, "Misery Business", was first heard in a Stephen King adaptation psycho-thriller film, Misery (1990). The origin of the song is ambiguous with Williams giving conflicting explanations. The Fueled by Ramen website reports that Williams wrote the song based on feedback the band received after a question she posted on the band's LiveJournal asking what people were ashamed of. However, on the band's blog, Williams claims the song was written about a past experience involving a male friend who she felt was being manipulated by a girl, and later on when Williams and her friend began to date, she penned the lyrics to "finally explain my side of the story and feel freed of it all". Later, Williams addressed the lyrics in the chorus:

But God does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause God it just feels so
It just feels so good

Williams joked on Twitter on May 27, 2013, that it was about London's Heathrow Airport.


As a reminder for you seasoned readers and to help out those of you who may be new here

Here is how a battle works:

Step One - Listen to each of the contenders. TRY not to be persuaded by the videos

Step Two - Pick  the contender that you prefer the most (not just the one with the name you are familiar with) Pick ONLY from the contenders provided in THIS battle.

Step Three - Comment  with your selection. The comment section has been set up so that anyone can leave a comment. I do ask that you please include your name, should you use the anonymous feature.

Step Four - Visit Stephen’s blog to check out his battle and for a list of other bloggers that have battles going on. We each have different battles, so please be sure to visit everyone. I'll provide a link below the videos to Stephen's blog for your convenience.


Now that we’ve got the formalities out of the way, let’s get to it!


Contender #1 -  Halocene featuring Jonathan Young




Contender #2 - Machine Gun Kelly & Travis Barker




Now, to repeat myself:

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AN ARTIST OR A SONG TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. You only need to listen to the videos and choose which one sounds better to you.  There are no right or wrong votes, unless you vote for someone not listed as a contender or don’t vote at all.


For those of you who may be interested in joining in our fun - The battles take place twice a month. Once on the 1st, and again on the 15th. Some participants have chosen to participate only once a month - and that’s okay - we’re just happy to have you join us! Your battle can consist of covers of the same song, different songs with the same title, or even a themed type battle. We just want you to join in the fun!  Catch the link to Stephen’s blog to join in - all you need to do is drop him a comment on his blog stating you’d like to participate and he’ll add you to the roster of participants.

I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands blog hop as well.  We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into putting together these battles and they are a lot of fun. Each blogger has a different battle taking place. You can find a current list of participants on Stephen’s blog (don't forget you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop by simply commenting on his blog that you'd like to join us). 


Alright now… Cast your votes for Halocene featuring Jonathan Young or Machine Gun Kelly & Travis Barker!
Voting will end on Monday, April 20 with results being posted on Tuesday, April 21.








Comments

  1. I really liked the original ... both bands in your contest put their own mark on the song, they make it their own, even to the point of changing the meaning. I prefer MachineGun Kelly, they make the song so vindictive...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin! I really had a tough time choosing as well. I'll be sure to include my comments in the results post.

      Delete
  2. Never heard this song before. Not really familiar with Paramore other than one of their songs that I heard my oldest granddaughter sing with a band she was in--she was probably 10 at the time (she's 11 now). Not the sort of musical tea I drink much these days, but both versions do a good job with the song.

    My vote goes to Halocene because I think the blend of male and female voices sounds better and that version is smoother over all.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee!

      I hadn't heard the band nor the song until about 10 years ago when I started playing RockBand on the xbox. 2 comments in and it's a tie - that's a good sign!

      Delete
  3. MMQE ~

    I'll vote for the second one.

    So, your comment about "a line from the second verse that was deemed sexist and anti-feminist" (Oh! The horror of it!!) got me curious enough to Google the lyrics and here's what I found:

    I waited eight long months
    She finally set him free
    I told him I couldn't lie, he was the only one for me
    Two weeks and we had caught on fire
    She's got it out for me, but I wear the biggest smile

    Please explain to me what part of that verse is considered "sexist" and "anti-Feminist" (two of the most serious charges on can have leveled at them in the 21st Century of sh*t that we're suffering through . . . for 10 more years).

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey There Stephen T!

      I couldn't figure out the sexist and anti-feminist part either. Personally, I think those that are all of a sudden offended by songs and lyrics that have been out for years need to eat more Tide pods and let the natural selection process begin.

      BTW... adding those Apricot Kernels to the Chicken Fried Rice was a stellar idea. I may soak them first next time, though, as The Cute One seemed to find all of the husks that came off during the cooking process. I found the extra moisture from the olive oil and of course the sauces really helped mask the bitter taste. I might survive this thing after all!

      Delete
  4. I like both of these a real lot, but I'm voting for the second because Travis Barker, the drummer, really played the crap out of the drums.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could watch that video over and over. Travis really makes it entertaining to watch. Thanks for the vote!

      Delete
  5. Mary,

    Sorry for getting by so late to vote. Anywho, the first song seemed a bit rackety to my ears especially at the start. I can't say that either bowls me over but I believe I like MGK & Travis better in this battle round. Stay well, my friend. You rock!

    Cathy's Pinup Girl Art Sketch Series 'M' & BoTB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiyas Cathy!

      I know too well about being late to vote. I haven't made my rounds yet for the battles and I need to get it together long enough so that I can. It's been one thing after another this week. I hope to make it to everyone before the voting period is over!

      Delete
  6. Neither are my cup o tea but I am going for the first song. Seems less to my ears:)

    ReplyDelete

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