The song was recorded with the internal microphone of Gaga's MacBook Pro and finished at the Record Plant. Lady Gaga's vocal range is B3-D5 during the song and are modified with auto-tune. The instruments featured are a piano layered with strong synthetic beats along with various RedOne's samples. The lyrics of the song refers to Gaga being dropped by Island Def Jam and how the label let her down. Not only about her bad experience with getting signed but to have nothing to move through. The other meaning of the song is her talking about wanting a "real man", or a relationship with a guy who's "just as fabulous" as her.
Paper Gangsta
Lady Gaga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inkin' Lincoln, sanskrit with a fan
Rememberin' me, before we began
Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam
But the ones who loved me, told me to stop
Like, "Homegirl can't catch shit if it drop"
A superwoman chick, you know that I am
Some shit don't fly by me in a man
'Cause I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want any paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Got something really shiny to start
Want me to sign there on your Range Rover heart
I've heard it before
Yeah, the dinners were nice
'Til your diamond words melted into some ice
You shoulda been rappin' to the beat of my song
Mr. Californ-ia, paper ganster-a
I'm lookin' for love, not an empty page
Full of stuff that means nothin' but "you've been played"
'Cause I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta (gangsta, gangsta)
Don't want no paper gangsta (gangsta, gangsta, gangsta)
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
In Lady Gaga's song "Paper Gangsta," she opens with "Midnight rush, with a pen in my hand." The opening verse begins with her writing lyrics down and telling the story about her life before the fame. She reminisces about a time before her fame when she used to feel like an outsider and couldn't catch a break. However, she acknowledges that her loved ones supported her and told her to keep going. Gaga mentions her strong and independent nature in the lyrics, stating that she won't accept anything less than someone who is real and fabulous, as opposed to the "paper gangstas" who may talk but have no follow-through. Gaga highlights her refusal to be taken advantage of by signing "monkey papers," which refers to contracts that may not be in her best interests. She stresses that she wants love and not just superficial things, and the song serves as a warning to potential suitors that she is not willing to give up her independence and sign away her life to anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight rush, with a pen in my hand
Inkin' Lincoln, sanskrit with a fan
Rememberin' me, before we began
Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam
I'm working hard at night with a pen in my hand, writing like Lincoln with the help of a fan. Remembering my past before I started, sometimes I felt out of place like I couldn't keep up with the beat.
But the ones who loved me, told me to stop
Like, "Homegirl can't catch shit if it drop"
A superwoman chick, you know that I am
Some shit don't fly by me in a man
My loved ones told me to slow down and not let myself get too caught up in everything. They know I'm a strong woman who won't let things fly by me easily.
'Cause I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
I won't settle for anything less than someone who is just as real and fabulous as I am.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
I won't be with someone who talks a big game but can't follow through with their promises. I won't sign any contracts that they want me to sign either, no matter how flavorful they make it sound. I don't want to do any shady business with fakers.
Got something really shiny to start
Want me to sign there on your Range Rover heart
I've heard it before
Yeah, the dinners were nice
'Til your diamond words melted into some ice
You're trying to impress me with your shiny things and want me to commit to you, but I've heard this before. You wooed me with nice dinners until your sweet words turned cold and melted away like ice.
You shoulda been rappin' to the beat of my song
Mr. Californ-ia, paper ganster-a
I'm lookin' for love, not an empty page
Full of stuff that means nothin' but "you've been played"
You should have been more focused on showing me your love instead of being an imaginary gangster from California. I'm searching for something real, not an empty promise filled with lies.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
I won't be with someone who talks a big game but can't follow through with their promises. I won't sign any contracts that they want me to sign either, no matter how flavorful they make it sound. I don't want to do any shady business with fakers.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
I keep repeating that I don't want any paper gangsters because I'm tired of people trying to deceive me with their promises and fake personas.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
I won't be with someone who talks a big game but can't follow through with their promises. I won't sign any contracts that they want me to sign either, no matter how flavorful they make it sound. I don't want to do any shady business with fakers.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone who's got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
I won't be with someone who talks a big game but can't follow through with their promises. I won't sign any contracts that they want me to sign either, no matter how flavorful they make it sound. I don't want to do any shady business with fakers.
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh-oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
I keep repeating that I don't want any paper gangsters because I'm tired of people trying to deceive me with their promises and fake personas.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nadir Khayat, Stefani Germanotta
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Play Pertend Lady Gaga
Same I Love This Song Though β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
@bo_05
Midnight rush, with a pen in my hand
Dink in link in, sand-script with a fan
Remembering me, before it began
Sometimes I felt so def in a jam
But the ones who loved me, told me to stop
Like home girl can't catch shit if it drops
A superwoman chick, you know that I am
Some shit don't fly by me in a man
'Cause I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone whose got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Wont sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Got something really shiny to start
Want me to sign there on your range rover heart?
I've heard it before
Yeah, the dinners were nice
Till your diamond words melted into some ice
You should been rapping to the beat of my song Mr. California,
Paper gangsta and I'm lookin' for love, not an
Not an empty page full of stuff that means nothing but
You've been played
'Cause I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone whose got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Wont sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone whose got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Wont sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Won't sign away my life to
Someone whose got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no paper gangsta
Wont sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Oh oh
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
Don't want no paper gangsta
@bo_05
Midnight rush, with a pen in my hand
Inkin' Lincoln, sand-script with a fan
Remembering me, before it began
Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam
But the ones who loved me, told me to stop
Like homegirl can't catch shit if it drops
A superwoman chick, you know that I am
Some shit don't fly by me in a man
Cuz I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
[Chorus:]
Don't want no PAPER GANGSTA
Won't sign away my life to
Someone whose got the flavor
But don't have no follow through
Don't want no PAPER GANGSTA
Wont sign no monkey papers
I don't do funny business
Not interested in fakers
Don't want no PAPER GANGSTA
Uh oh
Don't want no PAPER GANGSTA
Uh oh
Got something really shiny to start
Want me to sign there on your Range Rover heart?
I've heard it before
Yeah, the dinners were nice
Till your diamond words melted into some ice
You should been rapping to the beat of my song Mr. California
PAPER GANGSTA and I'm lookin' for love
Not an empty page full of stuff that means nothing but
"You've been played"
Cuz I do not accept any less
Than someone just as real, as fabulous
[Chorus x2]
@elmarieduplessis9081
Such a brilliant album. Good times. It's such a pity Lady Gaga doesnt have videos for all of her songs. She's got so much talent.
@therafi3918
Why I feel like all "the fame monster"'s songs is so memorableeee
I love lady Gaga
@dioneypintor3998
Because they are
@redduskironsky1058
This is not originally from the this album, its from The Fame...my absolute favorite gaga album hahahaha
@endokuken1678
This song was from The Fame, don't get it twisted :p
@jennykim01
I still like gaga's music, but this will always be my favorite album. Most of my favorite songs comes from there.
@au_rie
My fav will always be the fame this one is close tho
@lexeyo1
I feel so old the song hits differently when you haven't heard it in years ππ―π€π½
@jannelyzfigueroa3216
Antes me pasaba escuchando Γ©ste Γ‘lbum era mi favorito. Era menor de edad, mi mamΓ‘ me comprΓ³ el disco fisico, lo ponΓa en el componente de mi casa TODOS LOS DIAS, tambiΓ©n ponΓa videos de lady Gaga en YouTube en el televisor; me aprendΓ casi todos los bailes de los videos de sus canciones cΓ³mo Bad Romance, Alejandro etcβ¦ ΒΏCΓMO FUE QUE EL TIEMPO PASΓ TAN RΓPIDO QUE NO ME DI CUENTA?. Y escuchando Γ©sta canciΓ³n que era mi favorita ahora con 26 aΓ±os un hijo y despuΓ©s de tantas cosas que han pasado en mi vida, no me di cuenta que el tiempo pasΓ³ demasiado rΓ‘pido y me olvidΓ© de las cosas simples que solΓa hacer encerrada en mi cuarto disfrutando y soΓ±ando con ser artista. QUE NOSTALGIAπ’ NO PUEDO CREER QUE DEJΓ ATRΓS MI NIΓEZ MI ADOLESCENCIA MI VIDA. Y ahora estoy viviendo en un presente que en el pasado jamΓ‘s pensΓ© que vivirΓa. Love u Lady Gaga