Paramore – The Only Exception Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up51The Only ExceptionParamoreProducerRob CavalloTrack 6 onbrand new eyes (Deluxe Version) Sep. 25, 20091 viewer966K views66 ContributorsTranslations

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The Only Exception Lyrics

“The Only Exception” the third single from Paramore’s brand new eyes was co-written between Hayley Williams and Josh Farro at a time when the band was a quintet, the song is a soft ballad, which provides… Read More [Verse 1]When I was younger, I sawMy daddy cry and curse at the windHe broke his own heart and I watchedAs he tried to reassemble itAnd my mama swore that she wouldNever let herself forgetAnd that was the day that I promisedI'd never sing of love if it does not exist[Chorus]But, darling, you are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exception[Verse 2]Maybe I know somewhereDeep in my soul that love never lastsAnd we've got to find other waysTo make it alone or keep a straight faceAnd I've always lived like thisKeeping a comfortable distanceAnd up until now, I had swornTo myself that I'm content with lonelinessBecause none of it was ever worth the riskYou might also like[Chorus]Well, you are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exception[Bridge]I've got a tight grip on reality, but I can'tLet go of what's in front of me hereI know you're leaving in the morning when you wake upLeave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream, oh[Chorus]You are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exceptionYou are the only exception[Outro]And I'm on my way to believingOh, and I'm on my way to believing51EmbedCancel

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“The Only Exception” the third single from Paramore’s brand new eyes was co-written between Hayley Williams and Josh Farro at a time when the band was a quintet, the song is a soft ballad, which provides musical diversity to the album. Hayley Williams explained to Kerrang! in 2009:

I’ve never written lyrics like this before. The first verse is about where I think the fear to be open or vulnerable started. Ever since the first story in Kerrang!, everyone has known about my family issues and domestic whatever, it’s something that’s kinda stayed with me and I’ve learned from. I played this song to my mom and there were tears. It was kind of embarrassing.

Hayley Williams told Alternative Press in 2010:

This is the first love song I’ve ever written. And even if I’ve tried in the past, this is the first one that I’m really proud of. I like that I was able to express the fact that I have always been really afraid of love – and I still am at times – but the excitement and the hope that it exists is still very evident in the lyrics. So it’s not like I’m a total cynic! Love is a good thing, kids.

In terms of its success as a single, it notably reached 24th on the US Billboard’s Top 100 and 31st on the UK’s Single Chart.

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• Spanish Translation

+2What did Paramore say about "The Only Exception"?Genius Answer2 contributors

Before I get started on this one, let me just point out the fact that the acronym for this song is ‘TOE.’ All right. Josh and I wanted something short and sweet that would break up the record. He sent me some music and I was immediately inspired. After showing the guys, everyone loved it so much that they told us we had to finish it. So we did. This is the first love song I’ve ever written. And even if I’ve tried in the past, this is the first one that I’m really proud of. I like that I was able to express the fact that I have always been really afraid of love–and I still am at times–but the excitement and the hope that it exists is still very evident in the lyrics. So it’s not like I’m a total cynic! Love is a good thing, kids.”

-Hayley Williams on “The Only Exception” in a Track by Track description of ‘brand new eyes’ for Alternative Press.

+11What's the meaning of the single's artwork?Genius Answer1 contributor

The single’s artwork is explained in detail here.

+6Was there any controversy regarding this song?Who produced “The Only Exception” by Paramore?When did Paramore release “The Only Exception”?Who wrote “The Only Exception” by Paramore?brand new eyes (Deluxe Version) (2009)Paramore

1. 1. Careful
2. 2. Ignorance
3. 3. Playing God
4. 4. Brick by Boring Brick
5. 5. Turn It Off
6. 6. The Only Exception
7. 7. Feeling Sorry
8. 8. Looking Up
9. 9. Where the Lines Overlap
10. 10. Misguided Ghosts
11. 11. All I Wanted
12. 12. Ignorance (Acoustic)
13. 13. Brick by Boring Brick (Acoustic)
14. 14. Turn It Off (Acoustic)

brand new eyes (2009)ParamoreThe Only Exception - Single (2010)ParamoreNOW That’s What I Call Music! 36 [US] (2010)NOW That’s What I Call Music!brand new eyes (Limited Edition) (2009)Paramorebrand new eyes (International Edition) (2009)Paramore2011 Grammy Nominees (2011)Various ArtistsExpand CreditsReleased onSeptember 25, 2009ProducerRob CavalloWritersHayley Williams & Josh FarroCo-ProducerParamorePublisherWarner Music Group, But Father, I Just Want To Sing Music, Josh’s Music & FBR MusicDistributorWarner Music GroupLabelFueled By RamenCopyright ©Atlantic Records & Warner Music GroupPhonographic Copyright ℗Atlantic Records & Warner Music GroupMixed AtMix LA StudioMastered AtSterling SoundEngineerDoug McKean, Dan Chase & Lars FoxAssistant EngineerSteve Rea & Russ WaughVocalsHayley WilliamsGuitarJosh Farro & Taylor YorkBassJeremy DavisKeyboardsJamie MuhoberacOrganJamie MuhoberacMixing EngineerChris Lord-AlgeAssistant Mixing EngineerKeith Armstrong & Nik KarpenAdditional MixingBrad TownsendMastering EngineerTed JensenGuitar TechnicianRiley EmmingerDrum TechnicianNate WarshowskyDrumsZac FarroRecorded AtLightning Sound Studio (Hidden Hills, CA)Songs That Interpolate The Only ExceptionYucky Blucky Fruitcake by DoechiiThe Only Exception CoversThe Only Exception by Kate M (Singer), Amy Colalella, Juliet Weybret, Madilyn, DaViglio, Ally Rhodes, Ebony Day & Laura Zocca, The Only Exception by Katelyn Tarver, The Only Exception by 二口魔菜 (Futakuchi Mana), The Only Exception by Suy Galvez, The Only Exception by ROSÉ, The Only Exception by Vitamin String Quartet, Evolution of Paramore by Halocene (Ft. First to Eleven & TeraBrite), The Only Exception (Acoustic Cover) by The Macarons Project, The Only Exception by Tori Kelly, The Only Exception by Jessica Manning, The Only Exception by Caitlin Hart, The Only Exception by As It Is, Ayu Brazil - The Only Exception (Cover Paramore) Legendado by Ivisson Legendas (Ft. Ayu Brazil), The Only Exception by Glee Cast, The Only Exception by AND THE FRONTMEN., The Only Exception by Custom Wood Burning, The Only Exception by Spacey Jane & The Only Exception by Regine VelasquezThe Only Exception Remixesparamore - the only exception #juiced by fukdupkltThe Only Exception Live PerformancesThe Only Exception (Live from Nova 100 Australia) by Paramore & The Only Exception (Live at Red Rocks) by ParamoreThe Only Exception TranslationsParamore - The Only Exception (Traducción al Español) by Genius Traducciones al Español, Paramore - The Only Exception (Tradução em Português) by Genius Brasil Traduções, Paramore - The Only Exception (Traduzione Italiana) by Genius Traduzioni Italiane & Paramore - The Only Exception (polskie tłumaczenie) by Polskie tłumaczenia GeniusView The Only Exception samplesTagsPopRockUSAIn EnglishPop RockAdult ContemporaryAdult AlternativeAlternativeAcousticBalladExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up