Throughout the sixties, seventies, and eighties Dottie pumped out chart toppers like no other. she was selling out concerts, selling millions of records, staring in movies, winning Grammies, Clieos and any other kind of awards you can think of. There is no doubt that the little girl from Tennessee came a long way. Dottie West earned herself the respect of everyone in the music industry and countless fans. If not for her music, most people remember her for either her stage presence or overall good nature. She was always looking out for others and going out of her way to do things for fans, family and friends. Despite Dottie's constant chart presence and sold out concerts her foundation fell out from under her when she discovered that she was a victim of a sneaky accountant and was overpowered by the IRS to give up all she owned. And ALL is ALL. The list of Dottie's personal momentous included the rights to all her music (I believe she wrote well over 400). All Dottie did was look out for others and this is how she was treated...disgusting if you ask me! But Dottie had dignity and started to rebuild her empire.
On august 30, 1991 Dottie was scheduled to appear at The Grand Old Opry. Her car broke down and, determined to keep her promise, she flagged down a passing driver and got a ride. On the way the driver lost control of the car and crashed. Battered, beaten and suffering from the wreck, Dottie pulled the driver from the car herself. She died due to injuries from the accident days later while in the hospital.
Paper Mansions
Dottie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't build for me no paper mansions
That only stand until you've gone
You've paint the nastiest futures of anyone I know
You always leave me holding on to pretty words that glow
You've built a thousand mansions out of dreams that seemed so strong
But they're always made of paper not of stone
Don't build for me no paper mansion
For love can't live in paper mansions
That only stands until you've gone
[Piano]
You've always been a dreamer dear and I'm a dreamer too
But I guess I've had too many of the time that don't come true
So don't build me no mansion with paper walls so thin
That only stand until you leave again
Don’t build for me no paper mansion
That I can never call my own
For love can’t live in paper mansions
That only stands until you’ve gone
Dottie West's song "Paper Mansions" talks about the writer's reluctance to accept a love that doesn't feel real or substantial. The lyrics state that the subject of the song (presumably a lover or partner) has a habit of making grand, unfulfilled promises, such as painting "the nastiest futures" and building "a thousand mansions out of dreams that seemed so strong." However, these promises never come to fruition, leaving the singer "holding on to pretty words that glow." This is where the title comes in – a paper mansion is a metaphor for the subject's promises: they may look beautiful and impressive, but they're not built to last, "always made of paper not of stone."
The singer then tells the subject not to build a paper mansion for them, saying that they "can never call [it] their own." The song suggests that love can't exist in a fleeting, insubstantial world, saying "For love can't live in paper mansions / That only stands until you've gone." The singer acknowledges that they, too, are a dreamer like the subject, but they've been disappointed by false promises in the past and don't want to fall for them again.
"Paper Mansions" is a song that speaks to the importance of trust and reliability in relationships. The singer longs for something real and lasting, not just momentary fulfilment. While the subject may mean well and intend to keep their promises, the singer is unwilling to risk another disappointment by settling for temporary, superficial love.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't build for me no paper mansions
Please don't construct any fragile and temporary structures for me
That only stand until you've gone
These structures will only remain standing until you leave
You've paint the nastiest futures of anyone I know
You have a pessimistic outlook on the future, worse than anyone else I know
You always leave me holding on to pretty words that glow
You make empty promises that are attractive in the moment, but ultimately meaningless
You've built a thousand mansions out of dreams that seemed so strong
You have created many grand ideas that appeared promising at the time
But they're always made of paper not of stone
However, they are always flimsy and impermanent, not solid and durable
That I can never call my own
I cannot possess these escapades as my own
For love can't live in paper mansions
True love cannot thrive in structures that are not built to last
You've always been a dreamer dear and I'm a dreamer too
You have always had big aspirations, and I have shared in that outlook
But I guess I've had too many of the time that don't come true
However, I have experienced many dreams that never materialized
So don't build me no mansion with paper walls so thin
Therefore, please don't create a structure that is fragile and easily broken
That only stand until you leave again
A structure that will only last until the moment you depart once more
For love can't live in paper mansions
Once again, true love needs more than a temporary and unsubstantial structure to thrive
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TED HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janettamcgee8124
She was beautiful, sassy and had one of the best voices.
@jim5746
Great female country vocalist !
@peggyphillips5025
great singer
@gregfoster4541
Loved Dottie West, this was one of my favorite songs she had,, one of so many!!
@nilanisiriwardena5019
What a beautiful voice. RIp. Dottie West. We will always love you. Nilani.
@markginther2842
Dotties music is awesome and she was one beautiful lady!!!
@coinpiano
What a magic voice.
@jackiemcgee9655
Dottie west was always one of my favorite female singers her music near gets old we lost her much too soon
@rhettjanes1056
Love this song
@musicrocksoffical
Gosh! I love that singer!