Who's the captain of this ship?
I think it's sinking
I know, I don't know
What I know I don't know
What was I thinking?

Paper dolls
Here for the folding
Schools like malls
That all are closing

Afraid to dance
Don't talk to strangers
Avoid romance
Read what the sign says

Parental guidance is advised
Another teenager's surprised

Blah blah blah blah
Feels so good to be alive
Blah blah blah
Yeah, life was easier at five

Blah blah blah
Feels so good to be alive
Blah blah blah
Yeah, life was easier at five
What was I thinking?

I can't make up my mind
Can't even make up my bed
Yeah, I should clean up my act
But first I'll clean out my head

My books are on the shelf
I don't apply myself
You always check up on me
Well, check yourself, oh

Paper dolls
Here for the folding
Schools like malls
That all are closing

Afraid to dance
Don't talk to strangers
Avoid romance
Read what the sign says

Parental guidance is advised
Another one of us survives

Blah blah blah blah
Feels so good to be alive
Blah blah blah
Yeah, life was easier at five

Blah blah blah
Feels so good to be alive
Blah blah blah
Yeah, life was easier at five

But as bad as it is at my school
Yeah, as bad as it is
It's still my school

At five
What was I thinking?
At five
What was I thinking?


Lyrics submitted by Eamon

Paper Dolls Lyrics as written by John Wozniak James R. Jr. Davies

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Paper Dolls song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    this is an awesome song. It's simple, but still has the original marcy sound. possibly my favorite off of mp3

    L Hodgeson July 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love the way the blah blah blahs almost get lost in the lyrics, as though they sound like real words.

    I like the lyrics. They seem to me to be a celebration of the way that as a teenager, you start to come into your own, stop needing your parents advice so much, and start to see your life as your own. Proud defiance of the bla blah blah blah we were fed when we were five.

    Ayavaronon April 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i don't understand why this song is not as popular as it should really be. i think this is my favorite Marcy song of all time. it talks about becoming a teenager, the shocking but rather helpful discoveries that come in the process, and the sad fact that the words your parents had fed you when you were younger all start to suddenly sound like rather unhelpful bullshit. Becoming a teenager is about discovering the world, its brutal realities, and most importantly, yourself.

    Who's the captain of this ship? I think it's sinking I know, I don't know What I know I don't know What was I thinking?

    These lines speak of how as you enter your teen years, the ship (life) that had been navigated by the captain (parent(s)) starts to slowly sink (fade away). "what was i thinking?" clearly translates to "why the fuck was i believing all the lies they were feeding me?".

    Paper dolls Here for the folding

    the "paper doll" is the kid, who needs to start getting "folded up" (shaped up)

    Afraid to dance Don't talk to strangers Avoid romance Read what the sign says

    these are all the familiar kinds of restrictions and stereotypical characteristics that a parent might want for his/her child - unfortunately (or rather fortunately) the kid hears it all as "blah blah blah blah"

    when you feel like everything is suddenly clear to you, doesn't feel so good to be alive?

    babieblitzon July 08, 2008   Link

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