Paper Doll
John Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step out of that black chiffon
Here's a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you
This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
You're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should've kept my undershirt
You're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don't fly
Someone's gonna paint you another sky
'Cause you're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
The song "Paper Doll" by John Mayer is a poignant and introspective take on a faltering relationship. The lyrics of the song convey the sense of a man trying to dress up his partner, perhaps as a way of keeping her from leaving him. The paper doll in the song, then, represents the fragility of their relationship and how easily it can be broken.
In the first verse, the singer describes how he has given his partner a beautiful dress to wear, but the dress is "too small" for her. This seems to be a metaphor for how the singer has given everything to their partner, but she just can't fit into his life. The singer then mentions that his love doesn't cost anything, which may imply that the relationship has lost its spark or that his partner is only interested in material possessions.
The second verse is even more direct, with the singer telling his partner that she is "like twenty-two girls in one" and that "none of them know what they're running from". This suggests that his partner may be searching for something deeper or more meaningful in a relationship, but she doesn't know what it is. The phrase "was it just too far to fall?" seems to imply that the singer may have been too intense or too demanding in the relationship, leading to its breakdown.
Overall, "Paper Doll" is a poignant and reflective look at a relationship that has gone off the rails. Through his lyrics, John Mayer conveys a sense of sadness and loss that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Paper doll, come try it on
Addressing the girl from the perspective of a tailor, inviting her to try on a dress
Step out of that black chiffon
Asking the girl to move away from her gloomy past
Here's a dress of gold and blue
Offering something brighter and happier to the girl
Sure was fun being good to you
Admitting that it was good to pamper the girl
This one we made just for Fall
Saying that the dress was specially made, keeping the season in mind
And Winter runs a bit too small
Clarifying that the dress wouldn't be comfortable to wear during winter
This mint green is new for Spring
Pointing out that the dress is specifically designed for spring
My love didn't cost a thing
Emphasizing that this act of kindness was done without any intention of seeking something in return
You're like twenty-two girls in one
Complimenting the girl's diverse characteristics and traits, which makes her unique
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Highlighting the girl's tendency to get lost in her thoughts
Was it just too far to fall?
Questioning whether the girl felt overwhelmed by her own thoughts
For a little paper doll
Negatively referring to the girl, portraying her as frail and easily breakable
Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
Suggesting the girl to style herself by pairing a scarf with her outfit
And tie your hair behind your head
Further suggesting a hairstyle, turning her into a vision of beauty
Strap into some heels that hurt
Encouraging her to wear a beautiful but uncomfortable pair of heels
You should've kept my undershirt
Alluding to an intimate moment with the girl, reminding her of a past where she was happy
Cut the cord and pull some strings
Urging the girl to detach herself from something negative that is holding her back
And make yourself some angel wings
Encouraging the girl to create something by herself that sets her free
And if those angel wings don't fly
Warning the girl that if the situation doesn't change, she will remain stuck in the same place
Someone's gonna paint you another sky
Suggesting that if one solution doesn't work, another alternative might help her to break free
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: John Clayton Mayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C2 _Abiseva
Paper doll, come try it on
Step out of that black chiffon
Here’s a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you
This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
My love didn’t cost a thing
You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should’ve kept my undershirt
You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don’t fly
Someone’s gonna paint you another sky
‘Cause you’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
Anonymous Psychic
Paper Doll
John Mayer
Paper doll, come try it on
Step out of that black chiffon
Here’s a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you
This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
My love didn’t cost a thing
You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should’ve kept my undershirt
You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don’t fly
Someone’s gonna paint you another sky
‘Cause you’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
Songwriters: John Mayer
Paper Doll lyrics © Reach Music Publishing
Shin Tuấn Thành
Paper doll, come try it on
Step out of that black chiffon
Here's a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you
This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
My love didn't cost a thing
You're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should've kept my undershirt
You're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll
Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don't fly
Someone's gonna paint you another sky
'Cause you're like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they're runnin' from
Was it just too far to fall?
Jonathan Bolger
The harmony in the song is amazing. Everywhere, from the backing vox. The little bits of guitar over dub in the 2nd verse, the piano on the break down "someone's gonna paint you another sky" part.. I love how he does this in his music, really straight up pop songs with some really intricate and beautiful harmony. That's what happens when really talented musicians are writing pop music, we need more of this.
MyName Is
That riff that starts at 3:54 is the most beautiful yet haunting thing I've ever heard in my life.
nino0057
It's other-worldly beautiful. Haunting.
Ham 'Housekeeping' Sarris
@Gabriel Mansilla maybe - probably a pedal of 5 tho
Gabriel Mansilla
@DANYAL Slide guitar?
Aleksa Pavlovic
@DANYAL true!
DANYAL
Sounds like a Theremin
LiamTSH96
This song is incredible.
Lynn Skaggs
This song is heart-wrenching. It's in the changes. In the subtleties and especially in the mournful ending.
Liz Lyon
Who else is here listening to the chorus after finding out that while John's voice was still recovering from the granuloma and he couldn't sing as high as usual, he asked David Ryan Harris to come in and sing like him for the harmony in the chorus, and left it in the recording!! haha I can recognise David's voice now that I know it's him