Hayley Williams’ single, “Leave It Alone” is the continuation in her storyline she seems to be creating with her new solo album, Petals For Armor. In this newest single you can feel the raw vulnerability of this internal monologue going back and forth inside her head. This is very apparent through the chorus, “It tastes so bitter on my tongue, the truth’s a killer, but I can’t leave it alone.” The audience can clearly depict Hayley Williams’ struggle with wanting to love someone entirely but afraid of the inevitable end result of loss.
If you follow Hayley Williams at all you will be well aware of the losses she has suffered. “You don’t remember my name somedays, or that we’re related, it triggers my worry,” this set of lyrics gives the audience insight into Hayley’s prolonged grieving over her grandmother — the constant worry and care. “Leave It Alone” is a song about grieving and trying to overcome the grief but struggling to continue loving to the fullest extent possible. The feeling of “what’s the point to it all?” But, still not being able to “leave it alone” because we’re human and can’t help who and when we love. Where there is love, there is loss.
However, this is just how life works. “Leave It Alone,” does a beautiful job of capturing the essence of feeling scared to love and scared to lose someone. Loss is a terrifying thing, especially when you can love so deeply. Hayley’s voice adds to the internal monologue feeling. You can feel the longing of not wanting to experience grief any longer. But, at the end of the day she “can’t leave it alone,” and continues to love.
You can stream “Leave It Alone” below.
