Hold the paper up to the light
(some rays pass right through)
Expose yourself out there for a minute
(some rays pass right through)

Take a little rest when the rays pass through
Take a little time off when the rays pass through

Go ahead and mess it up...Go ahead and tie it up
In a long distance telephone call

Hold on to that paper
Hold on to that paper
Hold on because it's been taken care of
Hold on to that paper

See if you can fit it on the paper
See if you can get it on the paper
See if you can fit it on the paper
See if you can get it on the paper

Had a love affair but it was only paper
(some rays they pass right through)
Had a lot of fun, could have been a lot better
(some rays they pass right through)

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
Hold on to that paper
Hold on because it'll be taken care of
Hold on to that paper

Don't think I can fit it on the paper
Don't think I can get it on the paper
Go ahead and rip up, rip up the paper
Go ahead and tear up, tear up the paper


Lyrics submitted by fearofmusic, edited by Starling772

Paper Lyrics as written by David Byrne

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Paper song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    grazbosson January 29, 2009   Link

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