Alongside the song, MGK released a Cole Bennett-directed music video, marking their first collaboration and Bennett’s first rock video. The day before the song and video came out, Kells tweeted a screenshot of a FaceTime call he had with Bennett, showing him with a seemingly shaven head. News outlets like Buzzfeed, Yahoo, Entertainment Tonight, and Billboard reported that he shaved his head, but it was ultimately a bald cap that Kells tore off in the middle of the music video.
papercuts
Machine Gun Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them, but they got us
Yeah, yeah, uh
Uh, sleepin' in, faked sick
Don't belong, I'm a punk
Hello world, you fucking suck
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I'm dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Everybody's so nice lately
(Everybody's not nice)
Polarized feelings, I don't wear them on my face lately
(I don't wear them on my face)
Internalized everything the headlines say lately
(Everything they say)
Demonized just because I was a angel face baby
(Baby)
(Career suicide)
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I'm dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Bleach my hair, mess it up
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them but they got us
But they got us
Yeah, yeah
Hey
The lyrics to Machine Gun Kelly's song "papercuts" depict the artist's experience in the music industry and how he has struggled to adapt to the expectations and demands placed upon him. The opening lines, "Bleach my hair, mess it up, Take my life, dress it up, Signed a deal, I got papercuts, They wanted them, but they got us," suggest that MGK has had to change his appearance and persona to fit the mold of a successful musician, but despite his efforts, the industry still sees him as just another product to sell. This idea is further reinforced in the later lyrics "Demonized just because I was a angel face baby (Career suicide)," indicating that regardless of his appearance or talent, the industry can be harsh and unforgiving.
The second verse, "Sleepin' in, faked sick, Smoked a blunt, had a kid, Don't belong, I'm a punk, Hello world, you fucking suck," portrays how MGK is adapting to the lifestyle that comes with his success, but still feels out of place in the industry. He feels like he is not accepted for who he is and the expectations placed on him are not in line with his beliefs or values.
The chorus, "Hey, hey, Keep my mouth shut and wave, Hey, hey, I'm dancing on my grave," suggests that MGK may feel like he has to keep quiet and just go along with the industry flow, even if it feels like he is not being true to himself. He has to pretend everything is fine while deep down he struggles to express himself freely.
Overall, the lyrics to "papercuts" reflect on MGK's experiences in the music industry and how he has had to adapt to fit it. Despite his commercial success, he still struggles with the expectations and demands of the industry, which makes him question his authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Bleach my hair, mess it up
I'm willing to change my appearance and cause chaos to stand out
Take my life, dress it up
I'm willing to put on a façade and be someone I am not
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
I may have signed a lucrative contract, but the endless paperwork and bureaucracy leaves me feeling hurt and insignificant
They wanted them, but they got us
The record label thought they could control us and mold us into their image, but we refuse to be silenced or change our artistic expression
Sleepin' in, faked sick
I avoid the world and its expectations of me by pretending to be unwell and staying in bed
Smoked a blunt, had a kid
I make impulsive decisions to escape my life's monotony, even if it results in unintended consequences
Don't belong, I'm a punk
I don't fit into society's norms and have no desire to conform
Hello world, you fucking suck
Life is hard and I am angry, disillusioned, and resentful at the world for its shortcomings and hypocrisy
Keep my mouth shut and wave
I know better than to speak my mind and risk the backlash and consequences that come with being honest
I'm dancing on my grave
I'm living life to the fullest and will keep doing so even if it kills me
Everybody's so nice lately
I'm tired of the fake niceties and passive-aggressiveness that dominates our interactions with each other
Polarized feelings, I don't wear them on my face lately
I keep my opinions and emotions to myself to avoid conflict and keep up appearances
Internalized everything the headlines say lately
The constant barrage of negative news and fear-mongering has taken a toll on my mental health
Demonized just because I was a angel face baby
My good looks and youthful appearance have been used against me to diminish my talents and intelligence
But they got us
We may not have succeeded in the way society expects, but we remained true to ourselves and enjoyed the journey
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Colson Baker, Travis L. Barker, Nicholas Long
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@khueng448
lyrics:
Bleach my hair, mess it up
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them, but they got us
Yeah, yeah, uh
Uh, sleepin' in, faked sick
Smoked a blunt, had a kid
Don't belong, I'm a punk
Hello world, you fucking suck
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I'm dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Everybody's so nice lately
(Everybody's not nice)
Polarized feelings, I don't wear them on my face lately
(I don't wear them on my face)
Internalized everything the headlines say lately
(Everything they say)
Demonized just because I was a angel face baby
(Baby)
(Career suicide)
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I'm dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Bleach my hair, mess it up
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them but they got us
But they got us
Yeah, yeah
Hey
@NicholasLightTV
Been a fan since 2012, the whole “Lace Up” era. Been with you every album since. ‘Tickets To My Downfall’ not only changed my life, but it also saved my life. This song gives me that same feeling again. The feeling that you’re about to make another album that’s gonna change my life. Not only my life, but millions, and I can’t wait to experience that with the world. I know it means nothing coming from a random person, but I’m proud of you. So proud. Thank you for saving me and continuing to inspire me every day.
@YungBuckTheLabrat
I've been a fan since the Bloom era. Kelly's music means so much to me, Bloom saved my life, TTMDF got me thru 2020 and it looks like this new album will get me thru this year.
EST4LIFE my brother!❌❌
@Squirtle7
Too bad no one cares
@NicholasLightTV
@@Squirtle7 too bad you’re boutta get this ratio
@XenonPhoenix
Same here
@Roof_Gang
you know you're not talkin to the to the person you're talking to a producing channel
@trentthaise
MGK and Travis Barker are the best duo in Alternative music, keep their shih on repeat!
@ShalomMulenga
I know self promoting isn't cool but I believe I'm going to be the biggest and greatest artist to ever come out of Africa ††† #helpmereachthetop
@dadopest9775
🚀🚀 https://youtu.be/PXCjbNU2SL4 🚀🚀🚀
@b_a_5_k_i453
Hi i just started an album cover drawing channel
I wouldn't mind your support😁