Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings, beginning in 1995.
Jurado often makes use of found-sound and field-recording techniques, and has experimented with different forms of tape recordings. In 2000 he released Postcards and Audio Letters, a collection of found audio letters and fragments that he had found from sources such as thrift store tape players and answering machines. Also released in 2000 was Ghost of David,, Jurado's bleakest and most personal sounding record to date. I Break Chairs, (2002) was produced by long time friend, David Bazan. It was his last album for Sub Pop, and was a much rockier, electric affair. After signing for the Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, Damien Jurado reverted to his trademark folk ballad-based style, releasing six more albums: Where Shall You Take Me? (2003), On My Way To Absence (2005), And Now That I'm In Your Shadow (2006), Caught in the Trees (2008), Saint Bartlett (2010) and Maraqopa (2012).
Official blog: iamcaughtinthetrees.blogspot.com
Paper Kite
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Floating by like a paper kite
I'm caught up in your string
Lucky in enough to be in your tree
And you'll never float too long
The birds watch as I sing
And I could be of use
One more knot in a prisoner's noose
And you'll never float too long
And you'll never float too long
And you'll never float too long
The lyrics to Damien Jurado's "Paper Kite" tell the story of someone who is caught up in a romantic relationship with someone else. The singer likens themselves to a paper kite, caught up in the strings of the other person's control. Though they are carried along by the whims of their lover, they are happy to be in their presence - lucky to be caught up in their love like a bird in a tree. However, there is also a sense of danger and unease in the lyrics, as the singer references "scissor teeth" cutting them loose and the notion of being tied up like a prisoner. Despite these potential dangers, the singer seems resigned to their fate, understanding that they will never be able to float away from this relationship for very long.
As a whole, the song captures the complex emotions of being in love with someone, particularly when that love is not necessarily healthy or reciprocal. The sense of being both trapped and lucky to be in this situation is palpable, and the lyrics suggest a deep ambivalence about whether the singer truly wants to be there or not.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be right outside
I'll be near you, just outside of where you are.
Floating by like a paper kite
I am drifting aimlessly, like a kite made of paper.
I'm caught up in your string
You have control over me, like a kite string controlling a kite.
Lucky in enough to be in your tree
I feel fortunate to be close to you, like a kite caught in a tree.
And you'll never float too long
You will never be alone for too long.
The birds watch as I sing
The birds are my audience as I sing.
Waiting around for scissor teeth
I am waiting for something dangerous or harmful to happen to me, like the cutting teeth of scissors.
And I could be of use
I could be helpful or useful to you.
One more knot in a prisoner's noose
My actions could lead to me becoming trapped or imprisoned, like being tied up with a noose.
And you'll never float too long
You will never be alone for too long.
And you'll never float too long
You will never be alone for too long.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAMIEN JURADO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind