Paper Doll
Gatlin Brothers Lyrics
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A doll that other fellows cannot steal
And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes
Will have to flirt with dollies that are real
When I come home at night she will be waiting
She'll be the truest doll in all this world
I'd rather have a Paper Doll to call my own
I guess I had a million dolls or more
I guess I've played the doll game o'er and o'er
I just quarrelled with Sue, that's why I'm blue
She's gone away and left me just like all dolls do
I'll tell you boys, it's tough to be alone
And it's tough to love a doll that's not your own
I'm through with all of them
I'll never ball again
Say boy, whatcha gonna do?
I'm gonna buy a Paper Doll that I can call my own
A doll that other fellows cannot steal
And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes
Will have to flirt with dollies that are real
When I come home at night she will be waiting
She'll be the truest doll in all this world
I'd rather have a Paper Doll to call my own
Than have a fickle-minded real live girl
The Gatlin Brothers' song "Paper Doll" is a love song about a man who has been burnt by real-life relationships and decides to buy a paper doll that he can call his own. The paper doll represents the perfect partner, one that cannot leave or cheat on him like a real-life girlfriend would. The man is tired of the game of dating and is looking for something and someone that is safe and constant. The catchy chorus repeats the sentiment, emphasizing that the man would rather have a paper doll than a fickle-minded real-live girl.
The verses of the song reveal a little more about the man's feelings towards relationships. He sings that he has already played the doll game before, implying that he has had many relationships, but none of them have worked out. He also complains about how tough it is to be alone, but even more challenging to love a real-life person who can leave him at any moment. The man is jaded from heartbreak and refuses to fall for any real-life girl again.
The theme of the song is relatable to many people who have been hurt in relationships, and it offers a fun, playful way of dealing with heartache. The lyrics suggest that maybe it's better to have a paper doll than to invest time and energy in a relationship that may not work out in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna buy a Paper Doll that I can call my own
I'm going to get a doll made of paper that I can consider mine
A doll that other fellows cannot steal
A doll that no one else can claim or possess except me
And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes
The guys who try to seduce girls with their eyes and words
Will have to flirt with dollies that are real
They will have to pursue real girls who can respond to their advances
When I come home at night she will be waiting
When I return home in the evening, the doll will be there for me
She'll be the truest doll in all this world
The doll will be reliable, constant and never betray me
I'd rather have a Paper Doll to call my own
I prefer to have a paper doll that belongs to me
Than have a fickle-minded real live girl
Instead of a real girl who can easily change her mind and emotions
I guess I had a million dolls or more
I had many dolls in the past, probably too many to count
I guess I've played the doll game o'er and o'er
I have been through this situation repeatedly, like a game
I just quarrelled with Sue, that's why I'm blue
I had an argument with a girl named Sue, and now I feel sad
She's gone away and left me just like all dolls do
She has departed and abandoned me, like a doll would do
I'll tell you boys, it's tough to be alone
It's not easy to be solitary, without companionship
And it's tough to love a doll that's not your own
It's hard to feel a genuine emotion towards a doll that belongs to someone else
I'm through with all of them
I'm done with all the girls, and dolls too
I'll never ball again
I won't date or have relationships again
Say boy, whatcha gonna do?
What are you going to do, my friend?
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: JOHNNY S BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind