Paper

Just as sunlight passes through a sheet of paper, anything you write down "exposes yourself"--you should go for it. Write something. Try to "get it [your ideas/thoughts] onto the paper". Just like a "long distance telephone call," writing [and reading] is a communication between yourself and someone else.

Readers often respond personally to things that are written, to the point of having "a love affair" with a character even though "it was only paper." Even popular published works are not perfect: "Had a lot of fun, could have been a lot better."

When you write, take your time and consider your words closely. Don't worry if it doesn't come out good right away.And sometimes your ideas simply don't make it from your brain to the paper. Give it time anyway--don't throw away your work right away: "Take a little consideration, take every combination/ Take a few weeks off, make it tighter, tighter/ But it was never, it was never written down/Still might be a chance that it might work out (if you)/ Hold on to that paper."

Even if you never manage to get your thoughts/ideas onto the paper, who cares? The worst thing that happens is that you "rip up, rip up the paper."

This is a tough one but I think it's just about [song]writer's block and how frustrating it is.

When he tries to put his ideas (not sure if he's talking about lyrics or music or both) onto the paper, they seem undeveloped - literally the paper is "thin" and it doesn't hold up to scrutiny (i.e the sun rays pass right through).

I think the "take a few weeks off, make it tighter" is again the idea of him pressuring himself to write an even better or more perfect song, while struggling with writer's block. The Offspring's incredible song "Gotta get away" expresses basically this same theme in its lyrics - i.e. it never feels good enough ("I think I'm on a roll But I think it's kinda weak" - The Offspring). So basically David is wishing that everything he came up with is worthy of being put "on the paper" but unfortunately because of his own exacting high standards, it's not.

PS Tina's bass playing on this song is so cool.

A fear of paper? Whatever it is, it's one of my favorite songs from Fear of Music. It has that great guitar part... man, I'm really digging that guitar part.

Chain of events that occured yesterday re: consumption of paper vs. use of PC for word proccessing, Internet, and email. Also: why I value making phone calls over writing snail mail: 1) the amount of paper used to make a Sunday newpaper, which had copious ads & coupon flyers. 2) the amt. of time and clipping it took to make sure I had all the neccessary coupons for the weekly shopping.

Chain of events that occured yesterday re: consumption of paper vs. use of PC for word proccessing, Internet, and email. Also: why I value making phone calls over writing snail mail: 1) the amount of paper used to make a Sunday newpaper, which had copious ads & coupon flyers. 2) the amt. of time and clipping it took to make sure I had all the neccessary coupons for the weekly shopping. 3) Noticing how my handwriting has deteriated over the yrs. using my PC when jotting out a note on a postcard to snail mail. 4) Remembering how much paper I could go through writing and re-editing notes, rough then final drafts of term papers and reports. 5) How after I finished writing a document, then saving it using my Word program, needing to print at least one hard copy anyway. No wonder why I always pondered the merits of using paper copy over just reading web sites, writing email,and making phone calls after my PC wouldn't restart last night! LOL

could be referring to paper money.

i think this song is about being held up to scrutiny in front of people (in this case a lover). if you read it that way, it makes a lot of sense. keep hold of the paper, keep yourself distant, and you won't be exposed to such examination.

I get the vibe that song is about writting poetry...it fits