Decode (song)

"Decode"
Single by Paramore
from the album Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released	October 1, 2008
Format	CD single digital download
Recorded	2008
Genre	Alternative rock emo
Length	4:21
Label	Fueled by Ramen Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Hayley Williams Josh Farro Taylor York
Producer(s)	Rob Cavallo
Certification	Platinum (RIAA) (RIANZ)
Paramore singles chronology
"That's What You Get" (2008) "Decode" (2008) "Ignorance" (2009)
Music video "Decode" on YouTube

"Decode" is a song by American rock band Paramore. The song was released as a single in 2008 from the soundtrack of the film Twilight.^[1] It is also included as a bonus track on the international version of Paramore's third studio album, Brand New Eyes.^[2]

An acoustic version of this song was released as a part of the special CD/DVD of the Twilight soundtrack. The song was certified Platinum in the U.S on February 16, 2010, selling over 1,000,000 copies. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010 for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Song information

Hayley Williams from Paramore is a Twilight fan and has talked about her love of the books and the song's title:

“	Twilight is the first series of books I've ever read. I didn't get into the Harry Potter series, even though I love the movies. Twilight really caught my attention and held it. I'm really excited to see the book adapted to film and excited that our band gets to be a part of the phenomenon. I chose the title "Decode" because the song is about the building tension, awkwardness, anger and confusion between Bella and Edward. Bella's mind is the only one which Edward can't read and I feel like that's a big part of the first book and one of the obstacles for them to overcome. It's one added tension that makes the story even better."	”
	— Hayley Williams[3]

Critical reception

Alexandra Cahill of Billboard gave the song a positive review by stating that "vocalist Hayley Williams captures the tension and urgency between undead protagonist Edward and mortal love interest Bella with an impassioned, yet restrained performance". Cahill also stated, "expertly crafted follow-up Decode promises to stake a claim at modern rock and top 40 radio".^[4]

Entertainment Weekly said that "Decode" took a step away from Paramore's "bouncier punk-pop sound for a more sprawling, Evanescence-like romanticism".^[5]

Commercial performance

"Decode" impacted radio on October 21, 2008,^[6] charting on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks at number 35 and peaked at number 5, giving them their third top twenty hit on the chart. "Decode" became their second top forty hit, and their highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 34. Seven weeks after its debut, it reached a new peak at number 33. It also debuted at number 52 on the Canadian Hot 100. It was only released digitally in the UK. The song was certified Platinum in the U.S on February 16, 2010, selling over 1,000,000 copies.^[7] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 40 on November 24, 2008 and peaked at number 15, becoming their highest peaking single there so far until the release of "The Only Exception".^[8] The song was certified Gold on July 5, 2009,^[9] selling over 7,500 copies,^[10] and spent a total of fifteen weeks on the chart.

In Germany, the song debuted at number 50 on November 24, 2008 and peaked at number 47^[11] and spent a total of 9 weeks on the chart

Music video

The official music video premiered on November 3, 2008 on MTVu, MTV, MTV2 and on MTV.com and was directed by Shane Drake. The video features the band members walking and performing in the woods, in Nashville, Tennessee (even though in the video, it is clearly supposed to be Forks, Washington). While they play, there are also scenes of the band acting as tracker vampires searching through the woods. Scenes from Twilight are also intercut.^[12]

The music video, along with the film trailer, were shown in the North American theater of PlayStation Home from December 11, 2008 to December 18, 2008.

Cover versions

Joy Electric released a version of "Decode" on their 2009 cover album Favorites at Play. Season 11 American Idol finalist, Colton Dixon, performed "Decode" during the Top 24 round.^[13] Season 13 American Idol finalist Jena Irene performed this song during the Top 11 week for her spot on the summer tour.

Track listing

Promo & UK CD Single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Decode"	4:21

iTunes Store Mexico
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Decode" (soundtrack version)	4:21
2.	"Decode (acoustic)"	4:27

12" Picture Disc (Hot Topic exclusive release.)
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Decode"
2.	"Full Moon" (The Black Ghosts)

Charts and certifications

Chart (2008–09) Peak position Australian ARIA Singles Chart 12 Canadian Hot 100[11] 48 Hot Canadian Digital Singles[14] 24 Finnish Singles Chart[15] 9 French Singles Chart[11] 10 German Singles Chart[11] 47 New Zealand Singles Chart[16] 15 Portugal (AFP)[17] 24 Swiss Singles Top 75[17] 60 UK Singles Chart[18] 52 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 33 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] 5 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[21] 36 Year-end charts Chart (2009) Position Australian Singles Chart 76[22]

Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia (ARIA)[23] Gold 35,000^^ New Zealand (RMNZ)[9] Gold 7,500^* United States (RIAA)[7] Platinum 1,000,000^^ ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Your 24/7 Fansite about the band Paramore. Bringing you the latest Updates, Photos & so much more". Paramore.org. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
2. "Paramore - brand new eyes - PreOrder". Paramore.net. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
3. "The Official Website of Stephenie Meyer". StephenieMeyer.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
4. Archived October 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
5. Greenblatt, Leah (2008-10-30). "Twilight | Music". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
6. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. October 14, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
7. "American single certifications – Paramore – Decode". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
8. Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand Peak Position". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
9. THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
10. "New Zealand Chart facts". Rianz.org.nz. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
11. "Paramore - Decode - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
12. The video is now available for purchase in the iTunes Store on December 6, 2008.
13. Archived March 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
15. "Suomen virallinen lista". Pop.yle.fi. 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
16. "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
17. "Paramore - Decode - Music Charts". Acharts.us. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
18. "UK Singles Chart". Uk.launch.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
19. "Paramore – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Paramore. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
20. "Paramore – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for Paramore. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
21. "Paramore – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Paramore. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
22. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2009". ARIA. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
23. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.

External links