Paper Doll
Fleetwood Mac Lyrics


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You like a man with a future
You like a woman with a past
"Well, do you really believe that?"
She said to the faces in the crowd

(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else
(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else

And even if you did miss me
You never let me know
You'd prefer to be just a little bit
In and out of love with me
And not to scream and shout
You'd prefer to be just a little bit
In and out of agony

(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Fascinated by somebody else
(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else

Come on now, let the sad winds blow down
As the rain came, she refused to wear her coat
But deep in her heart she knew, that the song must go on

He says, "Well, I have forgotten you
And your beautiful eyes"
We were off the wall
We were mirrors of our former selves

Well, you could've said, "No"
You could've said, "Well, I just can't"
Whoa, we were off the wall
We were mirrors of each other
Passing by

(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else
(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else

Well, I was your paper doll
(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Paper doll
Well I was you paper doll
(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else)
Paper doll

And it doesn't even matter
(I was fascinated by somebody else)
It was a real clear answer
(I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else




(I was fascinated by somebody else)
Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fleetwood Mac's song Paper Doll explore the complexities of a relationship that never quite seems to work out. The song opens up with two contradictory lines - "you like a man with a future, you like a woman with a past" - implying that the two individuals in question prefer people with certain qualities that they can't find in each other. The lyrics are interesting in that they suggest a lack of communication or honesty on the part of both individuals - the woman questions whether the man truly believes that she likes a man with a future, while the man says that he has forgotten the woman and her beautiful eyes.


Throughout the song, the woman muses on the fact that the man seems to prefer being "in and out of love" with her, and not committing fully to the relationship. She acknowledges that she was "fascinated by somebody else" at one point, and it seems that this realization has made her more introspective about what she wants from the relationship. The man in turn says that they were "off the wall" and "mirrors of each other", implying that they were perhaps too similar and unable to form a deeper connection. The chorus of the song is repeated throughout, with the woman stating that "I was your paper doll" - that is, she feels like she was someone the man could easily manipulate and control.


Overall, the lyrics of Paper Doll suggest a relationship that is fraught with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and an inability to truly connect. Despite this, there is a sense that both individuals are trying to make things work, but are ultimately unable to do so. The song is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the challenges that come with trying to form a connection with someone else.


Line by Line Meaning

You like a man with a future
You prefer someone who has great prospects for his life.


You like a woman with a past
You are attracted to someone who has had experiences and history.


"Well, do you really believe that?" She said to the faces in the crowd
She questions the truth and validity of such preferences in front of others.


(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else (Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else
She was intrigued by someone else in the past and it seems like a recurring thought.


And even if you did miss me You never let me know You'd prefer to be just a little bit In and out of love with me And not to scream and shout You'd prefer to be just a little bit In and out of agony
Even if you missed her, you chose to keep silent and just have a flitting fascination with her, without intense emotions.


Come on now, let the sad winds blow down As the rain came, she refused to wear her coat But deep in her heart she knew, that the song must go on
Despite feeling gloomy and not wanting to hide it, she still knew that she had to keep going and devote herself to the music.


He says, "Well, I have forgotten you And your beautiful eyes" We were off the wall We were mirrors of our former selves
He claims that he has moved on from her, but both of them were acting out of character and reflecting their past selves.


Well, you could've said, "No" You could've said, "Well, I just can't" Whoa, we were off the wall We were mirrors of each other Passing by
They could have rejected each other but they chose to be in each other's lives, with neither being true to themselves, reflective of each other's actions.


(Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else (Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else
She still remembers being intrigued by someone else on a previous occasion, possibly indicating ongoing feelings of curiosity or restlessness.


Well, I was your paper doll (Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Paper doll Well I was you paper doll (Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else) Paper doll
The two of them were like puppets in a relationship, possibly one-sided, where one partner was controlling the other.


And it doesn't even matter (I was fascinated by somebody else) It was a real clear answer (I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else (I was fascinated by somebody else) Yesterday I was fascinated by somebody else
Despite acknowledging her attraction to others, it doesn't have any impact on the clarity and certainty of her real feelings and true answer.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., SEE JOHNNY RUN SONGS
Written by: John Herron, Rick Vito, Stephanie Nicks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Williamus Rex

Paper Doll" is a song by British-American band Fleetwood Mac. It was also released as a single exclusively in North America with The Chain as its B-side. While "Paper Doll" only achieved minor success in the US, it did reach the top ten in Canada.

"Paper Doll"
Single by Fleetwood Mac
from the album 25 Years: The Chain
Released
24 November 1992
Recorded
1988-1992
Genre
Soft rock
Length
3:56
Label
Warner Brothers
Songwriter(s)
Stevie Nicks, Rick Vito, John Heron
Producer(s)
Richard Dashut
Fleetwood Mac singles chronology
"Love Shines"
(1992) "Paper Doll"
(1992) "I Do"
(1995)

Paper Doll was recorded in 1988 and was initially slated to appear on the 1988 Greatest Hits album. Mick Fleetwood was not fond of the track though, so it was pulled in favor of "No Questions Asked".[1] "Paper Doll" eventually found a home on Fleetwood Mac's 1992 box set 25 Years – The Chain and The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac. While Lindsey Buckingham was no longer an active member of the band during the song's recording, he still contributed some guitar and vocal work for the track.



All comments from YouTube:

TylerDevilMcCrudden

I love Fleetwood Mac and although this is an unpopular opinion, this song is actually one of my favourites and I don't even know why, I feel good when I listen to this track ^-^

Amos Leiva

you are not the only one who think tha same!

Reggae Fan

Every FM song is a good song. So don't feel bad. I just discovered it today and I love it.

Brian Olinger

I love the vocal overlays and it's awesome because the words are the same just offset. Brilliant ❤️❤️

suzanne rinato

Same! I love this song so much!

Mike Moore

It is an awesome song!!!

MagicalOmaha

How have I never heard this song before now?! What an amazing, fun song! Great to dance to!!!!

Lisa H

This song is so much fun. And Christine back would be the bomb; just like when Lindsey returned. Each member is like a special ingredient.

Clark Clements

Christine returned. Now Lindsey is gone.

Darius

RIP

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