Now that Paramore has released “This Is Why” and blessed us with a new album this year, it’s time to look back at some of their older albums and appreciate them. “After Laughter” doesn’t pull back any punches on one painful truth: sometimes, life really, really sucks. And pretending that it doesn’t makes it suck even more. Here are some of the best lines that perfectly describe depression, and you just want to scream at anyone who tells you to just “get over it.”
1. “I still don’t know how I even survive.” — Hard Times
This whole song is a depression anthem. Times can be challenging, whether it’s a hard moment, day, week, month, or even year. Even when there are pills, hard times do return—and they’re often unrelenting. Sometimes, you just have to rant about how terrible things are.
2. “I just killed off what was left of the optimist in me.” — Rose-Colored Boy
This nihilistic line is just one of many in this optimist-killing song. Life can just plain suck, and you shouldn’t pretend it doesn’t. Toxic positivity is just as harmful as being depressed all the time. So, let yourself feel how bad things are going without sugarcoating anything.
3. “For all I know, the best is over and the worst is yet to come.” — Told You So
Say what you want about nostalgia goggles, but there can be some grain of truth to this. After all, the years before the pandemic certainly weren’t as depressing for most people as the years during the pandemic were, if studies have anything to say about it. And it’s often true that things get worse before they get better.
4. “Don’t ask me how I’ve been; don’t make me play pretend.” — Fake Happy
Whenever you’re down or depressed, do you hate worrying your loved ones, but you also hate pretending to be okay? Pleasantries like “How are you doing?” are often artificial anyway, and saying “I’m fine” to save gas is beyond exhausting. It’s okay not to be happy 24/7, and it’s unrealistic to ask someone to be happy all the time.
5. “I don’t need no help; I can sabotage me by myself.” — Caught in the Middle
Self-sabotage might as well be depression’s nickname. It’s so easy for all of us to be our worst enemies. Recognizing that you are the one causing problems for yourself is at least the first step in improving. Say what you want about depression, but at least it opens your eyes to some real flaws you have. And you can use that to self-improve when you’re in a better headspace.
6. “You’re not the only one who’s hopeless.” — Idle Worship
It can be easy to think you’re the only one who’s down, in a rut, or even depressed. But that’s not the case. If you could see into someone else’s world, you would know that other people experience problems as you do or encounter problems you’ve never faced. Hardships don’t leave anyone untouched.
“After Laughter” reminds us that, while we know it’s important to get help for depression, it’s equally important not to brush off your feelings. There’s a tendency in our society to act happy even when things truly suck. But we shouldn’t have to feel pressured to be happy. It’s okay to break down when things go wrong—and that’s often the best way to pick yourself up again.
