“The Only Exception” is a song by the American rock band Paramore. It was released on September 29, 2009, as the third single from their third studio album, “Brand New Eyes.” The song is a ballad that showcases the band’s softer side, with Hayley Williams’ voice taking center stage. The song is widely regarded as one of the band’s most popular and emotionally resonant songs, as it deals with themes of love, loss, and redemption.
The lyrics of “The Only Exception” tell the story of a woman who has sworn off love due to the pain and heartbreak she has seen in her own family. However, she meets someone who changes her mind and makes her believe that true love can exist.
The Only Exception Lyrics
[Verse 1]
When I was younger I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it
And my momma swore that she would
Never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I’d never sing of love if it does not exist
[Chorus]
But darling
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
[Verse 2]
Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we’ve got to find other ways to make it alone
Or keep a straight face
And I’ve always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance
And up until now I had sworn to myself that I’m content
With loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
[Chorus]
Well, you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
[Bridge]
I’ve got a tight grip on reality but I can’t
Let go of what’s in front of me here
I know you’re leaving in the morning when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it’s not a dream
Whoa-oh-oh
[Chorus]
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
[Outro]
And I’m on my way to believing
Oh, and I’m on my way to believing
Verse 1:
The first verse of “The Only Exception” begins with the lines, “When I was younger I saw my daddy cry, and curse at the wind. He broke his own heart and I watched, as he tried to reassemble it.” These lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as they introduce the theme of heartbreak and loss that runs throughout.
The narrator then goes on to say, “And my momma swore that she would never let herself forget. And that was the day that I promised I’d never sing of love if it does not exist.” These lines suggest that the narrator has grown up in a family where love is associated with pain and heartbreak. Her mother has made a vow never to forget the pain that she has experienced, while the narrator has made a promise never to sing about love unless it is real.
Chorus:
The chorus of “The Only Exception” is the most memorable part of the song, as it repeats the line, “You are the only exception,” four times. This line is significant because it represents a departure from the narrator’s earlier promise never to sing of love if it does not exist. The narrator is suggesting that the person she is singing about is the only exception to her rule.
The repetition of this line also emphasizes the emotional intensity of the narrator’s feelings. She is so convinced that this person is the only exception to her rule that she has to repeat it four times to drive the point home.
Verse 2:
The second verse of “The Only Exception” begins with the lines, “Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul, that love never lasts. And we’ve got to find other ways to make it alone, or keep a straight face.” These lines suggest that the narrator has a deep-seated fear of love and is convinced that it never lasts. She believes that people have to find other ways to make it in life, either by being alone or by pretending that everything is okay.
The narrator then goes on to say, “And I’ve always lived like this, keeping a comfortable distance. And up until now, I had sworn to myself that I’m content with loneliness. Because none of it was ever worth the risk.” These lines suggest that the narrator has always kept people at arm’s length, afraid to let anyone get too close. She has convinced herself that she is content with being alone because she believes that love is not worth the risk.
Bridge:
The bridge of “The Only Exception” is a brief but powerful section that emphasizes the narrator’s desire to hold onto the person she is singing about. The lines, “I’ve got a tight grip on reality but I can’t let go of what’s in front of me here. I know you’re leaving in the morning when you wake up. Leave me with some kind of proof it’s not a dream,” suggest that the narrator is afraid that she will lose the person
