This song is about a mean girl who rules her school and terrorizes her classmates. This girl fits the description of a "Prep," who is skinny ("A body like an hourglass"), and is very popular. Lead singer Hayley Williams sings about how being popular doesn't make you great, and how it isn't new ("There are a million other girls who do it just like you")
According to Hayley Williams, the lyrics are based on real events. The song was written to get her high school experience off her chest.
Guitarist Josh Farro described how the background to this song concerned vocalist Hayley Williams enough to post a message on the band's Live Journal page, asking her fans to post what they were ashamed of:
"The song is about a girl who ruined one of our friend's lives with sex, using her sexuality to get what she wanted. And it really affected us, watching him crumble. So, when Hayley wrote 'Misery Business,' she posted online how she wanted to encourage our fans not to be scared to say what you feel or what you're ashamed of, because once you do, you're setting yourself free. We had a huge response. There were some people that were embarrassed of using drugs, drinking, or sleeping around or having gay sex. Everything, really. There were a few parents who replied, ashamed of how they raised their kids."
Lyrics
(Hit that, hit that snare)
I'm in the business of misery
Let's take it from the top
She's got a body like an hourglass, it's ticking like a clock
It's a matter of time before we all run out
When I thought he was mine she caught him by the mouth
I waited eight long months
She finally set him free
I told him I couldn't lie he was the only one for me
Two weeks we caught on fire
She's got it out for me
But I wear the biggest smile
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But, God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause, God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore you're nothing more, I'm sorry, that'll never change
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged
I'm sorry, honey, but I passed it up, now look this way
Well there's a million other girls who do it just like you
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who
They want and what they like, it's easy if you do it right
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But, God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him right now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause, God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
I watched his wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But, God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause, God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
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