Paul
Cavetown Lyrics

Oh, the last time I saw Paul
The singer is recounting the last time they saw someone named Paul.

I was horrible and almost let him in
The singer was not in a good emotional state and was considering letting Paul back into their life.

But I stopped and caught the wall
The singer physically stopped themselves and leaned against a wall for support.

And my mouth got dry
The artist's mouth became dry due to anxiety or nervousness.

So all I did was take him for a spin
Instead of letting Paul back in, the artist took him for a ride in their car.

Yeah, we hopped inside my car
The singer and Paul got into the singer's car.

And I drove in circles 'round the freight train yard
The singer drove their car around a freight train yard in circles.

And he turned the headlights off
Paul turned the headlights off while they were driving.

Then he pulled the bottle out
Paul brought out a bottle of alcohol.

And then he showed me what is love
Paul expressed his feelings towards the artist or showed them affection.

I'll be your morning bright, goodnight, shadow machine
The singer is offering to be someone's bright start to the day or shadow in the night.

I'll be your record player, baby, if you know what I mean
The artist is offering to provide comfort or solace to someone, in the same way a record player would.

I'll be your real tough cookie with the whiskey breath
The singer is offering to be someone's tough protector or support system, even if it means they have whiskey breath from drinking to cope with their own emotions.

I'll be your killer in a thriller and the cause of our death
The singer is offering to be the exciting or dangerous influence in someone's life, even if it ultimately leads to their downfall.

In the blossom of the months
Referring to a previous period of time that has passed.

I was sure that I'd get driven off with thought
The artist thought they would be able to move on or get over something, but they were wrong.

So I swallowed all of it
The artist tried to suppress their emotions or thoughts.

As I realized there was no one
The singer came to the realization that they couldn't rely on anyone else to solve their problems or make them feel better.

Who could kiss away my shit
No one could make the singer's problems or negative emotions disappear.

Paul, I know you said
The artist is addressing Paul directly, recalling something he said to them previously.

That you'd take me any way I came or went
Paul promised to accept the artist for who they are, regardless of how they acted or what they did.

But I'll push you from my brain
The artist acknowledges that they need to move on from Paul and their relationship.

See, you're gentle, baby, I couldn't stay
The singer recognizes that Paul is kind and gentle, but they can't be with him for their own reasons.

I'd only bring you pain
The artist believes that their presence in Paul's life would only cause him more pain or hardship.

I was your starry-eyed lover and the one that you saw
The singer was once someone who Paul loved or cared for deeply.

I was your hurricane rider and the woman you'd call
The singer was someone who Paul relied on or turned to in difficult times.

We were just two moonshiners on the cusp of a breath
The singer and Paul were two people trying to live their lives, but felt like they were barely surviving.

And I've been burning for you, baby, since the minute I left
The artist still has feelings for Paul, despite their decision to let him go and move on.