Simmer (song)

"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.[5] The song was written by Williams, Paramore touring musician Joseph Howard, and guitarist Taylor York.

"Simmer"
Single by Hayley Williams
from the EP Petals for Armor I and the album Petals for Armor
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2020 (2020-01-22)
RecordedEarly 2019[1]
Genre
Length4:26
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Taylor York
Hayley Williams singles chronology
"Uncomfortably Numb"
(2019)		 "Simmer"
(2020)		 "Leave It Alone"
(2020)
Music video
"Simmer" on YouTube

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.[6]

Composition

"Simmer" has been labeled as indie pop, dark pop, and alternative. The track runs at 110 BPM and is in the key of A minor. It runs at four minutes and 26 seconds.[7] 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 do–for myself more than anyone else–is 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].[8]

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 questions—but too often, this story feels as though it could be passed off to anybody".[9]

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".[10]

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.[4]

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.[11][12]

  • 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
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[13] 54
UK Download (OCC)[14] 47
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 7
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[16] 30

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States January 22, 2020
[17]

References
  1. "here's what life looked life the week SIMMER was written (early 2019)..." Facebook.
  2. Payne, Helen. "Hayley Williams Announces Debut Solo Album 'Petals For Armor', Shares First Single Simmer". Stereoboard.
  3. "Hayley Williams single 'Simmer' from solo debut LP 'Petals for Armor' is out, video sees singer face her demon". meaww.com.
  4. @yelyahwilliams (January 21, 2020). ""SIMMER" written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, & Joey Howard. produced by Taylor York. video directed by Warren Fu. story by Warren Fu, Hayley Williams, & Lindsey Byrnes with creative direction by Lindsey Byrnes" (Tweet). Retrieved January 23, 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. Iasimone, Ashley (January 20, 2020). "Hayley Williams Announces Solo Song 'Simmer'". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  6. Campbell, Rachel (January 20, 2020). "Hayley Williams reveals Petals For Armor song title with latest teaser". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  7. "Key and BPM of Simmer by Hayley Williams | Musicstax". musicstax.com.
  8. hayley from Paramore 🌺 [@yelyahwilliams] (January 24, 2020). "*elmo in flames gif* (thank you Apple family)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. Zhang, Cat (January 22, 2020). ""Simmer" by Hayley Williams Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  10. Crucchiola, Jordan (January 22, 2020). "Paramore's Hayley Williams Drops Her Debut Solo Single, 'Simmer'". Vulture. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  11. "Simmer" (single liner notes). Hayley Williams. Atlantic Records. 2020. Back cover.CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  12. "Credits – Simmer – Hayley Williams". Tidal. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  13. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  14. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  15. "Hayley Williams Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  16. "Hayley Williams Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  17. "Simmer - Single by Hayley Williams" – via music.apple.com.
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