So you think you're having good times
With the boy that you just met
Kicking sand from beach to beach
Your clothes are soaking wet
But if you look around and see
A shadow on the run (on the run)
Don't be too upset because it's just a paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

In the room where you've been sleeping
All our clothes are thrown about
Cigarettes burn window sills
Your meter's all run out
But there again it's nothing
You just split when day is done (day is gone)
Hitching lifts to nowhere, hung up on the paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

Standing in the cool of my room
Fresh cut flowers give me sweet perfume (too much sun will burn)
Too much sun will burn (too much sun will burn)
Too much sun will burn

When you're feeling tired and lonely
You see people going home
You can't make the train fare
Or the sixpence for the phone
And icicles you're crying
Down your cheek have just begun
Don't be sad, good times are had
Beneath the paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

Daylight breaks while you sleep on the sand
A seagull is stealing the ring from your hand
The boy who had given you so much fun
Has left you so cold in the paper sun
In the paper sun, in the paper sun, in the paper sun, in the paper sun


Lyrics submitted by T_D_Phoenix, edited by palladin69, pacealot

Paper Sun Lyrics as written by Steve Winwood Jim Capaldi

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Paper Sun song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    The last line of the 1st verse is "don't be too upset because it's just a paper sun". As far as the meaning of the song is concerned, I think "Unshackled" pretty much hit the spot in 2012, although I did like the other interpretations too. You can't make phone calls with "sixpence" anymore nowadays, also I wonder how many people remember those rented rooms with a gas and/or electricity metre, which did indeed "all run out" if you didn't put money in them. I remember the times that my shower would get cold because I didn't have enough 10 p coins. A friend taught me how to slightly tip over the bloody thing and that way avoid payment - please don't tell the Gas Board. xo

    palladin69on September 20, 2014   Link

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