On day one [the studio], the band composed the album's concluding tune, "Thick Skull," a significant sound shift from After Laughter. "It had these shades of us being music aficionados, appreciating heavy, drone-y, almost shoegaze-y moments," Williams explains, mentioning York's clashing guitar patterns, Farro's thundering bursts of drumming, and even her own unusual piano performance on the tune. "I was thinking, 'Man, this seems like a band I'd want to listen to.'"
[Verse 1]
I am a magnet for broken pieces
I am attracted to broken people
I pick 'em up and now my fingers are bleeding
And it looks like my fault
And it looks like I'm caught red-handed
[Chorus]
Hit over the head
(Epiphany)
Over my head
(Repeatedly)
Thick skull never did
(Nothing for me)
Same lesson again
(Come on, give it to me)
(Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)
[Verse 2]
Only I know where all the bodies are buried
Thought by now I'd find 'em just a little less scary
Might get easier, but you don't get used to it
Keep on autopilot
[Pre-Chorus]
Hey, hey
What's the body count up to now, captain?
[Chorus]
Hit over the head
(Epiphany)
Over my head
(Repeatedly)
Thick skull never did
(Nothing for me)
Same lesson again
(Come on, give it to me)
(Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)
[Bridge]
Come on out with your hands up
Come on out with your hands up
I'm coming out with my hands up
Come on out with your hands up
[Chorus]
Hit over the head
(Epiphany)
Over my head
(Repeatedly)
Thick skull never did
(Nothing for me)
Same lesson again
(Come on, give it to me)
[Outro]
(Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)
I pick 'em up and now my fingers are bleeding
And it looks like I'm caught red-handed
Paramore thick skull info
Produced By:Carlos de la Garza
Written By:Taylor York & Hayley Williams
Vocals:Hayley Williams
Release Date:February 10, 2023