| "Running Out of Time" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byParamore | ||||
| from the albumThis Is Why | ||||
| Released | May 23, 2023 (2023-05-23) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:12 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Carlos de la Garza | |||
| Paramore singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Running Out of Time" onYouTube | ||||
"Running Out of Time" is a song by the American rock bandParamore. It was released on May 23, 2023, byAtlantic Records as the fourth single from the band's sixth studio albumThis Is Why (2023).Hayley Williams,Taylor York, andZac Farro wrote the song in the early stages of the album's production, andCarlos de la Garza produced it. The band premiered the song at a concert at theGrand Ole Opry on February 7, 2023, and performed it onJimmy Kimmel Live! on February 14.
Described by critics as apop-rock anddance-rock song, "Running Out of Time" deals with time management and comments on social anxieties over death, aging, and losing friends. Williams said the song was influenced by her personal struggle with punctuality and her friendship withTaylor Swift. Critics positively reviewed the song, praising its lyrics as playful and its composition as well-balanced. In 2023, the song peaked on theNew Zealand Hot Singles chart, theUK Singles Chart, and theBillboardHot Rock & Alternative Songs andRock Airplay charts in the United States, and ranked onBillboard's year-endAlternative Airplay chart.
Ivanna Borin directed a music video for "Running Out of Time" that Paramore released on February 16, 2023. In the video, Williams enters anAlice in Wonderland-themed world, where she confronts the anxieties addressed in the song. The video received praise for its costuming, including vintageVivienne Westwood and contemporaryRodarte outfits.
AfterParamore released their critically acclaimed fifth studio albumAfter Laughter in 2017[1] and cut theirfourth world tour short, the band took its first hiatus since its formation in 2004. During that hiatus, the band's members focused on their mental health and pursued individual projects.[2] In May 2020, the band's lead singerHayley Williams stated that their sixth album would be guitar-driven,[3] and in January 2022, she confirmed that the band had begun recording their sixth studio album in late 2021.[4]
In September 2022,Paramore announced its sixth studio albumThis Is Why. The album's lead single "This Is Why" was released on September 28, 2022. The band also revealed plans fora tour to promote the album that would start in October 2022.[5][6] The album's second single "The News" was released on December 8, 2022,[7] and its third single "C'est Comme Ça" was released on January 12, 2023.[8]
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The band premiered "Running Out of Time" at theGrand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 7.[9] When introducing the song, Williams remarked: "This is a song about how I'm late to everything ... It's really not that deep unless you want to think about the planet dying. Then it can be that deep."[9]This Is Why was released on February 10, 2023.[10] In the lead-up to the album's release, the band distributedflexi disc singles of "Running Out of Time" at live release parties.[11] The band also performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live! on February 14.[12] The release of the music video followed on February 16.[13]
Atlantic Records released "Running Out of Time" as an alternative radio single on May 23, 2023.[14] The song was written by Williams, along with Paramore's guitaristTaylor York, and drummerZac Farro.Carlos de la Garza recorded and produced the song in Los Angeles.[15][16] According to Williams, the song was written in the early stages of the album's production; she first conceived the chorus and then wrote the lyrics.[17] Williams said that she "wanted to challenge [herself] to write about ordinary things".[18] She mentioned that focusing on everyday topics prevented her from "getting all deep and dark", but emphasized that exploring those emotions parallels the anxieties many feel about life in 2023 on planet Earth.[18] On October 6, 2023, Paramore released aremix album ofThis Is Why containing a remix of the song byPanda Bear.[19][20]
The Alternative andStereogum have described "Running Out of Time" as apop-rock anddance-rock song.[20][21] The song opens on theoff beat with abluesy guitar riff, resolving toF-sharp major for the verse. The verse, with a syncopated beat, has Williams singing overchromatic mediant andstable tonic chords, and featuressixth chords. In the pre-chorus, the chords remain the same as those in the verse but with a less-syncopated rhythm. In the bridge, the guitar takes on a groovy tone, over which Williams sings severalblue notes.[21]
The main lyrical themes of "Running Out of Time" are time management, anxiety, and the making of excuses.[13] Throughout the song, Williams repeatedly sings the line "I ran out of time" as an excuse for failing to perform several personal tasks, such as walking her dog, taking flowers to her neighbor, and sending condolences.[18] Writing forRolling Stone, Larisha Paul said that the song's "arsenal of excuses" create "metaphorical fires and hyperbolic deadlines".[12] InThe Line of Best Fit, Steven Loftin said that the song uses the excuse of "ditching out on plans under the guise of existential dread" as an example of the anxieties of the 2020s.[22] InSputnik Music, Sowing noted that the lyrics, with lines like "Intentions only get you so far, a harsh reality to discover", address the feeling of being overwhelmed by the desire to improve oneself.[23] In a review forStereogum, Vivek Maddala analyzed the song's structure and composition, concluding that they reflect the song's themes; for example, starting the guitar riff on the off beat creates a sense of rushing, resonating with the central theme of running out of time.[21]
Other critics have stated that "Running Out of Time" addresses social anxieties related to aging, death, and interacting with other people.Alexis Petridis wrote inThe Guardian that the song captures the fear of growing up andapprehension of our own death.[24] Writing forThe New Yorker, Carrie Battan said that the song addresses contemporary anxieties amongmillennials, such as becoming antisocial and growing older, and is illustrative of a broadercultural turn to nostalgia.[25] Mary Sikory, inConsequence, linked the song's theme of running out of time to music's nostalgic return to genres that were popular in the early 2000s, like pop-punk andemo.[16]
Williams has said that "Running Out of Time" is about her being "horrific at time management",[18] and is also a reflection on her intentions and character.[16][17] In an interview withZane Lowe forApple Music 1, Williams said that the song was also influenced by her friendship withTaylor Swift. According to Williams, Swift showed her a closet full of items to give people as gifts, which made her realize "my life is so not together" and "I can barely remember to send someone a card or flowers".[26]
"Running Out of Time" received positive critical reviews for its tone. Bobby Olivier inSpin praised the song's theme and lyrics, calling the track "playful" and "an anthem for enemies of punctuality". He described it as "a sequel toAfroman's 'Because I Got High'".[27] Writing forNPR Music, Clarissa Brooks rated the track among the best of the album and said that it explores the post-COVID-19 pandemic cultural milieu in a "refreshing kind of snark[y]" tone.[28] Phoebe Flys inClassic Rock called the song a "siren call to the tardy" that is underpinned by exasperation.[29]The Alternative called the song "a well-performed, well-produced piece of nothing".[20]
Other critics praised "Running Out of Time" for its musical composition, particularly its balance of disparate elements. Helen Brown inThe Independent said: "Williams' shrieks of 'Be there in five!' are prettily balanced by sweetly crooned backing vocals".[30]No Ripcord called the song "sprightly", favorably comparing its "jump[y]", "choppy verses and svelte hooks" to the "shoehorned" sound of the "disaffected sing-speak" and "childish chorus" on "C'est Comme Ça".[31]Clash also compared the track with "C'est Comme Ça", contrasting Williams' "wonderfully conspicuous staccato vocals" on the latter with "guitarist Taylor York's glitchyanacrusis" on the former.[32] InPaste, Grant Sharples said that the track "strikes a balance between atmospheric textures and syncopated buoyancy that is, simply put, really fucking fun".[33]Billboard ranked "Running Out of Time" the third-best track on the album, and stated that it is "accessible" and a "standout".[34] Mary Sikory ofConsequence rated it an "essential track".[16]
In 2023, "Running Out of Time" peaked at number 18 on theNew Zealand Hot Singles chart,[35] 74 on theUK Singles Chart,[36] and 18 and 32 on theBillboardHot Rock & Alternative Songs andRock Airplay charts in the United States, respectively.[37][38] The song ranked 43rd onBillboard's 2023 year-endAlternative Airplay chart.[39]
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The music video for "Running Out of Time", directed by Ivanna Borin, was released on February 16, 2023.[18][13] It depicts Williams being pulled from a recording studio into anAlice in Wonderland-themed world, where the instruments have come to life and begun to approach her.[40][41][42] After entering the dream world through a guitar case, Williams, along with York and Farro, navigate through a colorful and distorted landscape that reflects the anxieties of the song's lyrics.[40] The band members, whose limbs have grown several feet in length, work through unusual situations and then run on a track in outer space back to the studio.[43] Adrian Garro, writing forRock Cellar Magazine, compared the music video to 1990s videos byNirvana andthe Smashing Pumpkins.[44] The video was shortlisted in the best international rock video category at the2023 UK Music Video Awards.[45]
In the music video, Williams wears several outfits by the British designerVivienne Westwood, including a corset from Westwood's 1990Portrait collection and a golden dress from her Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Lindsey Hartman, the band's stylist, said that Westwood was her and Williams' "ultimate hero" and that they decided to commemorate her when they filmed the music video in 2022, shortly after her death. Williams also wears a redRodarte dress while running on the track at the end of the music video;[46] Williams has since worn Rodarte on theThis Is Why Tour.[47]
Credits are from the liner notes forThis Is Why.[15]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | February 10, 2023 |
| Atlantic | [48] |
| United States | May 23, 2023 | Alternative radio | Atlantic | [14] |
| Various | May 29, 2023 | Flexi disc | Atlantic | [49] |
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