Hayley Williams' new album is full of lyrics left up for interpretation, but she's setting the record straight on one in particular.
The Paramore frontwoman clarified that the lyric alluding to a "racist country singer" in the title track of her July album "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party" is aimed at Morgan Wallen. In an interview for the New York Times' "Popcast" posted Sept. 30, the "Ain't It Fun" singer made it crystal clear she's not afraid to call out the controversial country music singer.
In the podcast, The Times culture reporter Joe Coscarelli asks Williams which musician the lyric is about. (The song goes, "I'll be the biggest star at this racist country singer's bar.")
"It could be a couple, but I'm always talking about Morgan Wallen. I don't give a (expletive)," she said. "Find me at Whole Foods (expletive), I don't care."
The comment immediately evoked laughter from Coscarelli and fellow podcast host Jon Caramanica, who were not expecting that answer.
USA TODAY has reached out to Wallen's representatives for comment.
Wallen faced backlash in 2021 after a video surfaced of him using a racist slur. The "Ain't That Some" singer later apologized in a detailed statement, saying he met with Black organizations to discuss the scandal and also asked his fans to stop defending him.
"I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back," the statement read. "There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better."
William's track was among 18 she released this year from her new solo album "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party." Lyrics from the project prompted concerns that the band, which also includes Taylor York and Zac Farro, had broken up.
However, Williams assured fans that they are simply on another break.
"Do we ever know where we're at?!" she told The Face in an interview published Sept 4. "We always take huge breaks. In order for us to metabolise (expletive) that we go through as people, it takes the amount of time it takes between albums."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hayley Williams confirms 'racist country singer' lyric is aimed at Morgan Wallen
Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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