I fly/I soar/this I adore. & then like a locomotive
the sound of your sorrow comes. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
But I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be alone
you’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers,
but pain will roll off like water on feather.
You’d fly/you’d soar. But then like a locomotive
the sound of your sorrow comes. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better but I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be on my own
you’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers,
but pain will roll off like water on feathers. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
but I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be alone
You’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers
but pain will roll off like water on feathers.



Lyrics submitted by bing_redboy

Track duration: 04:17


Paper Shoes song meanings
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31 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:Horse hair as a material absorbs water SLOWLY as opposed to feathers - winged creatures - freedom, where the water slides off due to the grease. The tiredness of absorbing tears is expressed and this song is about self-preservation for me. the reason to wear horse hair is probably emotional - the attachment to a horse - a noble creature - is no longer reason enough to bear the pain involved
    Flagged postcatharsison February 20, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree that it's about being with someone who is depressed, but I'd also add that the line "You'd fly, you'd soar" hints to me of someone more manic depressive. They experience the "highs"/mania together, but the depression inevitably hits and it ends up dragging them both down.
    Flag PenguinOfTroyon April 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Love how Jose's drumming is train-esque. Sounds like 'chugga chugga, chugga chugga, chugga-chugga-choo choo' if that maakes any sense.
    I just love how they match perfectly a songs lyrical meaning and a song's metaphor with the way it sounds. I feel like the singer is saying how they enjoy flying and being free, but then the sorrow locomotive (which is grounded) pulls them down. The singer can't enjoy being the person the are for the other's depressive ways. The singer is trying to tell the other person that they aren't even allowing themselves to be happy. Neither one can be happy for the demand of the sorrow. The singer feels that can't lean on the other for support, they are unreliable. There's no reason to continue the path, so just let it be done. The pain will go away.
    Flag FlockStaron March 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree that this song is about about a relationship where one person keeps bringing the other one down with their pesimism but I also think it could be about a potential relationship where 1 person is always there for the other & but when he needs them their unreliable so they'd rather be alone than attempt any longer. Either way love this song & inc!
    Flag wnithitsiflnopainon March 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I haven't listened to this CD in ages.. but my current relationship with my recent ex just reminded me of "Oil & Water" so bad, and now listening to 'Light Grenades' over and over, I realize almost every song describes us perfectly.. unfortunately, this song is about me:(

    So, to me, it's about an extremely passionate person. "You'd fly, You'd soar" means that when things are good for this person, everything is so amazing. But when "the sound of your sorrow comes," it's just so overwhelming, like a locomotive, that it just drowns out the rest of the relationship, even the good.

    But maybe he wouldn't be in this situation if he "only apoligized to make you feel better," and everything was just out in the open instead of secretly harboring these negative thoughts that slowly drive the original person crazy, bringing on the sorrow in a constant circle.. but that's personal experience again;D

    But the next day, she's willing to put it all aside, she realizes maybe she was a little too dramatic or whatever, but he's just not putting up with it anymore..
    Flag ohfxckon September 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The song is about being in a relationship with someone who's depressed. I relate to this song because I've been on both sides of the spectrum.

    Some people can't be happy with themselves, no matter how hard they try, and they attempt to look outside of themselves for affirmation and validation.

    In the song, Brandon is explaining that he loves this person, but that he can't sit back and wait for them, because he can't move on with them dragging him back.
    Flag LightGrenadeon February 17, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song means Brandon is awesome! lmao really, it reminds me of my parents, they're negativity is constant and you'd just rather be by yourself than be with them. Just when you think things are going okay, their negativity will bring you down...to the point you can't stand being around them. Brandon's lyrics are brilliant and I think everyone can relate. It's too bad his ex girlfriends suck :-(
    Flag AquariuSaraon June 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Brandon is quite simply a genius, the way he uses language and imagry is awesome.
    i think it's about waking up and realising it's a chore to be with your partner, that you've grown tired of walking on eggshells..
    Flag woodenchickenon May 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:absolutely love this song
    Flag just.me.^_^on November 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My favorite track on the album! Tone and seriousness of Brandon's voice makes you sympathize with him or anyone in that particular situation. Song is obviously about a relationship gone sour do to ones overwhelming negativity which rubs off on the other...
    Flag panama77on October 24, 2007   Link

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