Decode


"Decode" is a song by Paramore released as a single from the soundtrack to the film Twilight. It is also included as a bonus track on the international version of Paramore's third studio album, Brand New Eyes.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 Movie.

Song information

Hayley Williams from Paramore is a Twilight fan and recently 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

Reception

Alexandra Cahill of Billboard.com 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".
Entertainment Weekly said that Decode took a step away from Paramore's "bouncier punk-pop sound for a more sprawling, Evanescence-like romanticism".

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.
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.

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)  

Chart performance

The song entered the U.S Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks at #35 and has peaked at #5, giving them their third top twenty hit on the chart. "Decode" became their second top forty hit, and their highest debut (#34) on the Billboard Hot 100. 7 weeks after its debut the song reached a new peak of #33. It also debuted at #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. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number #40 on November 24, 2009 and peaked at #15, becoming their highest peaking single there so far until the release of "The Only Exception". The song was certified Gold on July 5, 2009,selling over 7,500 copies, and spent a total of 15 weeks on the chart.
In Germany, the song debuted at number #50 on November 24, 2009 and peaked at #47 and spent a total of 9 weeks on the chart

Cover Versions

Joy Electric released a version of Decode on their 2009 cover album Favorites at Play.

Charts, certifications and procession

Chart (2008-09) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 12
Canadian Hot 100 48
Hot Canadian Digital Singles 24
Finnish Singles Chart 9
French Singles Chart 10
German Singles Chart 47
New Zealand Singles Chart 15
Portugal (AFP) 24
Swiss Singles Top 75 60
UK Singles Chart 52
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 33
U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs 5
U.S. Billboard Pop Songs 36

Year-end charts

End of year chart (2009) Position
Australian Singles Chart 76

Certifications

Country Certification
(sales thresholds)
Australia Platinum
New Zealand Gold
United States Platinum