Big Time Rush performed its song “Paralyzed” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 24, to promote its release the following day. However, although streaming music platforms like Spotify marketed “Paralyzed” to be a new song, this is not the case.

“Paralyzed” was written 11 years ago, but this is the first time Big Time Rush fans can enjoy it on their preferred music outlets.

From 2009 to 2013, the band had its own self-titled sitcom on Nickelodeon. “Big Time Rush” followed a friend group of hockey players from Minnesota that moved to California to pursue a music career.

Each episode had a song that signified the plot. The show released an episode on Sept. 24, 2011, titled “Big Time Rocker,” which followed the band’s record label having issues with Big Time Rush’s capability to perform rock music. The episode concluded with the band successfully tackling the rock genre with “Paralyzed.”

In a smart marketing move, Nickelodeon released soundtracks of the music that was performed in the show’s episodes. However, “Paralyzed” was left out.

There’s no clear answer why “Paralyzed” was not released with the Big Time Rush’s albums in the 2010s. The only way to listen to the song is by either fast-forwarding “Big Time Rocker” to the end or watching a fan-created lyric video on YouTube.

I’ve been a Big Time Rush fan since the show’s release and I’ve noticed people on social media amplifying their want for “Paralyzed” to be on streaming platforms for years. To be quite frank, people will want what they can’t have.

The band took a hiatus when the show ended but returned to releasing music in 2021. Big Time Rush discussed “Paralyzed” being released earlier this year, but nothing was set in stone. On Aug.13, the band tweeted asking its followers, “How badly do you want us to release PARALYZED?” The demand in the replies was high.

Big Time Rush re-recorded “Paralyzed” and released it on Nov. 25. We’ve seen artists re-record their music like Taylor Swift after losing ownership of the master tracks of her first six albums or Aly & AJ creating an explicit version of “Potential Breakup Song.” I like to believe Big Time Rush released “Paralyzed” solely because the fans love it so much.

It’s about time “Paralyzed” became accessible to fans. It’s not new and that’s OK. I had an early shift on Black Friday and I was fist-pumping to this song at the stoplight at 7 a.m.

“Paralyzed” is an absolute masterpiece. It’s a classic boyband song with elements of love and angst.

“I see you walking, but all you do is pass me by / Can’t even talk, ’cause words don’t come into my mind / I’d make a move if I had the guts to / But I’m paralyzed, paralyzed, p-p-p-paralyzed,” can be relatable to anyone who’s had a crush on someone, but is too shy to speak up. Also, one listen to this song and it’s stuck in your head all day.

Since its return last year, Big Time Rush has released new songs, which were largely a hit or a miss. Most people are more familiar with its past content, so the band releasing a song from 2011 brings back nostalgia and love from its fans.