It was released on July 7, 2009 as the lead single from the band's third studio album, Brand New Eyes (2009).

James Montgomery of MTV News viewed the song as lyrically being about the "destructive nature of gossip, about the ugly, tear-'em-down world in which Paramore exist.

"[9] Marc Hirsh of The Boston Globe, described the track as being a "thrilling little headlong rush.

"[11] Ryan Wood of the Nebraska City News-Press, strongly praised the track, commenting that the song "may go down" as the "best single ever.

"[12] Scott Heisel of Alternative Press, viewed the single as being a "sort of a 'roided out" version of Paramore's 2007 studio album Riot!s song, "Misery Business" (2007).

[13] A writer for Saffron Walden News felt that the track displays Williams' "commendable and moody vocal range.

"[14] Ed Masley at The Arizona Republic ranked it as the 14th best Paramore song, stating "Williams' New Wave pout is put to brilliant use on this explosive rocker, dripping with contempt.

The video begins with a door opening, showing Williams being singled out and ignored by other members of the band (performing in a cramped small room, that appears to be a closet).

She shines a light bulb hanging by a wire directly in their faces, whilst describing how they treat her, "just like another stranger," in the lyrics.

Other clips show a larger performance area and a different personality of Williams being laid bare in white clothes, hair pulled back in the style like Björk's hair from her music video "Big Time Sensuality",[6] and with eye-makeup resembling the main character Alex from "A Clockwork Orange."

James Montgomery of MTV News wrote that the video is "a claustrophobic, hard-charging thing that showcases Paramore: The Band.

There is rumor that the Playing God is the sequel music video, showcasing Hayley getting back at her band mates.