In another reason why they should just form a dang band already, Hayley Williams and David Byrne have released another new collaboration in “Open The Door.”
The sentimental, sunshine-laden ballad is from the soundtrack to the new Netflix film The Twits (based on the beloved 1980 Roald Dahl children’s novel). In the film, two kids and a “family of magical animals” team up to battle the “meanest, nastiest villains [who] pull a trick to take over their town.” Check out the song below.
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The same day the pair released “Open The Door,” Williams made a surprise appearance during Byrne’s October 10th show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Byrniams/Willyrne performed their other duet, “What Is the Reason for It?” (off Byrne’s latest, Who Is The Sky?). Then, later in the set, Williams returned for a rendition of Paramore’s 2017 jam “Hard Times” (of which Byrne previously released a cover and performed regularly across this latest tour). Check out footage from that show below.
The pair first linked up in 2023/2024 when Paramore covered “Burning Down The House” for the A24-led re-release of 1984’s Stop Making Sense concert film. Byrne told People recently that they’ve maintained regular contact ever since, and he has nothing but adoration for Williams’ talent.
“She has an extraordinary rapport with her audience,” Byrne said. “It’s very sincere and very close, which I made note of that. I just thought that’s really amazing.”
Byrne also noted that “What Is the Reason for It?” came together rather organically, and that he and Williams both managed to be in town at the same exact time. He added, “I just texted her and said, ‘Do you want to come by and sing on this?’ And she said yes.”
David Byrne brought Hayley Williams on stage in NYC to perform Hard Times by Paramore and What is the reason for?, their recently released collab pic.twitter.com/Fbi7oSUoBL
— Paramore-Music.com (@paramoremusicom) October 11, 2025
It’s been a busy few weeks for Williams. In addition to these collabs, she’s been further supporting her latest solo album, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party. And speaking of that very LP, the title track continues to garner the singer some contempt from certain conservative figures.
The song, which features a line about a “racist country singer,” is hands-down a sturdy middle finger to one Morgan Wallen.
“It could be a couple [singers], but I’m always talking about Morgan Wallen. I don’t give a shit,” Williams recently told The New York Times’ Popcast podcast. “Find me at Whole Foods, bitch, I don’t care.”
Yet even as Williams is clearly talking about someone else, that didn’t stop Kid Rock from commenting during a recent Fox News appearance.
“You know what’s stupid is people who think they’re cooler than art thou that worry about their outfit every day like some of these rock singers that live here in Nashville — I won’t stay any names — or these chicks running around on their campuses with their blue hair, their five nose rings.”
In turn, Williams responded to Rock’s comments with an Instagram story (per Stereogum), spinning a hilarious little yarn that places the “rapper” in some rather interesting context.
“I remember being a little kid in Meridian, MS the first time I heard a Kid Rock song [‘Bawitdaba’]…at Poplar Springs Elementary’s annual field day. I thought it sounded dangerous and cool. Later, I learned I wasn’t allowed to listen to him ’cause the Southern Baptist Church said he was evil. My how the turn tables!”
So, who wins the Williams-Kid Rock beef? Well, one of them is regularly collaborating with David Byrne and the other’s on The Ingraham Angle, so we’ll let you decide.
