Paper Boats
Nada Surf Lyrics

Sit on a train, reading a book
The singer is sitting on a train and reading a book to occupy their mind.

Same damn planet every time I look
The singer feels bored or uninspired by their surroundings, which are always the same.

Try to relax and slow my heartbeat
The singer is attempting to calm down or destress.

Only works when i'm dead asleep
The only time the artist is truly relaxed and at peace is when they're sleeping.

Been thinking and drinking all over the town
The artist has been engaging in deep thought and drinking alcohol in various places throughout the town.

Must be gearing up for some kind of melt-down
The singer anticipates that all of their deep thinking and drinking may lead to some sort of emotional breakdown.

All I am is
The singer feels like they are nothing more than

A body floating down-wind
a physical entity that is moving aimlessly, without direction or control.

What's wrong?
Someone is asking the artist if there is something bothering them.

Nothing
The artist insists that there is nothing wrong, even though they are sad about something.

Are you sure nothing's wrong?
The person is doubtful of the singer's assurances that nothing is wrong.

So tell me what
The person is urging the artist to share what is making them sad.

I don't know
The singer does not have a clear understanding of their own emotions or what is causing them to feel sad.

I can't tell you
The singer does not feel comfortable or confident enough to share their feelings with the other person.

As the express train passes the local
The singer notices a difference between the fast and slow trains passing by each other.

It moves by just like a paper boat.
The express train seems lighter and less significant compared to the slow train, which feels more substantial and meaningful.

Although it weighs a million pounds
Despite its physical weight, the express train feels insubstantial compared to the slow train.

I swear it almost seems to float.
The singer observes the express train's movement and it appears to them as if it is floating.

And as we pass by each other
The singer and the other train are passing each other.

Our heads all full of bother
Both the artist and the other train's passengers seem preoccupied or troubled.

We can't look, we can't stop
Neither the artist nor the other train's passengers can look or stop to acknowledge each other's existence.

We can't think, We can't stop
Both the artist and the other train's passengers are too preoccupied to think or stop for a moment.

Because we're stuck in our own paths
Both the singer and the other train's passengers are following their predetermined paths and cannot deviate from them.

And it's the way it always lasts
This is a common experience that the artist and other train's passengers go through repeatedly.

But I need something more from you.
The singer desires a deeper or more meaningful connection with others, and recognizes a disconnect between themselves and the other train's passengers.