The News (feat. The Linda Lindas)

Paramore's song 'The News,' featuring The Linda Lindas, delves into the overwhelming and often distressing impact of modern media consumption. The lyrics juxtapose the distant wars and conflicts with the personal battles that rage within our minds. The opening lines, 'War, a war, a war on the far side / On the other side of the planet,' highlight the physical distance of global conflicts, yet the subsequent lines, 'And I've got war, a war, a war right behind my eyes,' bring the focus back to the internal struggles that are exacerbated by constant exposure to distressing news.

The chorus, 'Every second, our collective heart breaks / All together, every single head shakes,' captures the shared sense of despair and helplessness that many feel in response to the relentless stream of negative news. The repeated refrain, 'Turn on, turn off the news,' reflects the cyclical nature of media consumption, where individuals oscillate between staying informed and seeking respite from the emotional burden. This duality underscores the difficulty of finding a balance between awareness and mental well-being.

The song also critiques the performative and exploitative aspects of news media. Lines like 'Exploitativo, performativo / Informativo y no sabemos ni mitad' and 'Rhetorical, deplorable / Historical and, all along, we called it normal' suggest that the media often prioritizes sensationalism and profit over genuine information. This critique is further emphasized by the bilingual lyrics, which add a layer of cultural commentary on the global nature of media exploitation. Ultimately, 'The News' serves as a poignant reflection on the emotional toll of staying informed in an age of constant connectivity and information overload.