Paramore’s Hayley Williams Drops Bombshell Lyric Targeting Morgan Wallen—Is Country Music Facing a Reckoning?

What is it about a “risky lyric” that makes everyone lean in a little closer—like we’re eavesdropping on a scandal at the next table? Paramore’s fierce frontwoman Hayley Williams just dropped a new track that isn’t pulling any punches, and oh honey, it’s got the rumor mill humming and the Twitter threads hotter than a Nashville sidewalk in July . The big reveal? That “racist country singer” she’s singing about in her latest album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, is none other than Morgan Wallen . Imagine writing a song about a bar you’d rather avoid—and turning that into a public callout. Brash, bold, and, honestly, it takes a certain confidence to challenge someone to a Whole Foods standoff (organic veggies at ten paces?). I find myself both wincing and clapping . But in a world where celebrities dodge apologies faster than you can say “PR nightmare,” Williams’ directness is—dare I say—refreshing . If you’ve ever wondered what happens when pop-punk meets country controversy, buckle up. This isn’t just lyrical shade; it’s a cultural face-off that’s got everybody talking. LEARN MORE

Hayley Williams has said she was thinking of Morgan Wallen when she sang about a ‘racist country singer’ in her new track.

Earlier this year, Williams released solo album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, in which the titular track opens with the line ‘I’ll be the biggest star at this racist country singer’s bar‘.

Ever since the Paramore frontwoman dropped the album fans have been speculating about just who said ‘racist country singer’ could be, with Williams seemingly more than happy to divulge her apparent inspiration for the lyric.

During an appearance on The New York Times Popcast, the 36-year-old was more than happy to make her feelings about Wallen known publicly.

“It could be a couple, but I’m always talking about Morgan Wallen,” Williams said, when asked if she wanted to ‘name names’ over the lyric.

Hayley Williams has named Morgan Wallen as the ‘racist singer’ in her new song (Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

“I don’t give a s***,” she added.

Both Wallen and Williams hail from the southern state of Tennessee, with the former owning his own bar in the city of Nashville – an establishment which the ‘Hard Times’ singer previously revealed that she is not a fan of.

The singer even went as far as to challenge Wallen to face-off with her in public, adding: “Find me at Whole Foods b***h, I don’t care.”

In 2021, the ‘Cowgirls’ singer was suspended from his record label after being filmed using a racial slur while out with friends, in a clip published by TMZ.

Wallen’s music was also temporarily removed from streaming sites such as Apple Music and Spotify.

He later apologised for his actions, issuing the following statement to the outlet: “I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back.”

Wallen found himself at the centre of controversy after being filmed using a racial slur (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA)

He continued: “There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologise for using the word. I promise to do better.”

Wallen also released a five minute apology video, saying he’d been on a ’72-hour bender’ when the video was filmed. He later addressed the incident in a 2023 interview for Billboard, saying: “There’s no excuse. I’ve never made an excuse. I never will make an excuse.”

The singer also faced legal troubles last year, when he was arrested for throwing a chair off of a roof in April 2024. He later pleaded guilty to two charges of reckless endangerment.

Wallen found himself at the centre of unwanted attention again earlier this year, after he walked off stage as the credits rolled on an episode of Saturday Night Live.

LADbible has contacted Morgan Wallen’s representatives for comment.