Papas Fritas was an American indie pop music trio formed in 1992, in Massac… Read Full Bio ↴Papas Fritas was an American indie pop music trio formed in 1992, in Massachusetts, when two high school friends (Tony Goddess and Shivika Asthana) met the bassist (Keith Gendel) in college. The band's name is Spanish for French fries, and a play on the phrase pop has freed us. The first two years the band performed just for fun around Tufts University, where they were enrolled as undergraduates. In time, Sunday Driver Records heard of them and they soon released a 7 inches EP titled Friday Night. Some of their songs were aired on the radio and then, Minty Fresh, a bigger label heard of them. With Minty Fresh they published a 8-track studio album named Hi-Tech City. The next year they had already released their first LP Papas Fritas. The band spent the rest of the year and most of 1996 touring in Europe and Asia. In 1997, they released their second album, Helioself. In 2000, before touring to support their third LP Buildings and Grounds, the band added two members. The band amicably disbanded in 2001, but they reformed for some gigs in 2011.

Holiday
Papas Fritas Lyrics

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Nine to five and I'm going out of my mind
You know what I mean
Staring down the streetlights
Watching all the uptights
Reading magazines
I'm God's gift to myself
Guess I need some help
Nine to five and I'm going out of my mind

Take one of these, on your holiday
I still can't breathe, but I feel okay

I don't want to do the things that you do
I don't want to hang around with you

Take one of these, on your holiday
I still can't breathe, but I feel okay

Don't move a muscle, just let it burn

Don't move a muscle, there's one thing you should learn
That money's something I could never earn

Overall Meaning

The song "Holiday" by Papas Fritas describes the frustration that comes with the monotony of everyday life. The lyrics depict the singer's feeling of being trapped in a boring routine of working nine to five, watching uptight people pass by, and reading magazines to pass the time. The singer considers themselves God's gift to themselves, which could be interpreted as a sign of personal arrogance or a desperate attempt to boost their own morale. They acknowledge that they need some help, but it's not clear whether they're looking for help in breaking free from the cycle they're in or in finding a way to cope with it.

The chorus suggests a solution: take one of these and go on holiday. The "one of these" could refer to a drug or a pill that helps the singer feel better. The idea of taking a break from reality and going on a holiday is presented as a temporary solution to the problems of everyday life. The singer acknowledges that they still can't breathe, but they feel okay. It's implied that this feeling is not genuine, but rather the result of taking something that alters their mood.

The second verse further explores the singer's dissatisfaction with their life. They don't want to do the things that other people do, and they don't want to hang around with them either. The idea of being different and not fitting in is emphasized in this verse. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that taking a break from reality is the only way to feel "okay" in a world that's not quite right.

Line by Line Meaning

Nine to five and I'm going out of my mind
I'm struggling with the monotony of my 9 to 5 job and it's driving me crazy.

You know what I mean
I'm sure you understand what I'm going through as many others may experience the same.

Staring down the streetlights
I feel bored and detached from my surroundings as I observe the streetlights without any enthusiasm.

Watching all the uptights
I'm noticing all the people who are straight-laced and not able to let go unlike me.

Reading magazines
I'm looking for temporary relief by browsing through magazines to distract myself from my dull routine.

I'm God's gift to myself
I'm indulging in self-love and arrogance to feel better about myself.

Guess I need some help
However, deep down I realize that my issues require external intervention and guidance.

Take one of these, on your holiday
I'm suggesting that you take a break, relax and unwind with the help of certain substances that could possibly provide temporary relief.

I still can't breathe, but I feel okay
Although these substances don't change the underlying issue, they provide a fleeting sense of calm and relief.

I don't want to do the things that you do
I don't want to follow the status quo and engage in activities that conform to societal standards.

I don't want to hang around with you
I'm distancing myself from people who I feel do not understand or relate to me.

Don't move a muscle, just let it burn
I'm suggesting that it's better to not take any action and let my discontentment simmer and eventually subside.

Don't move a muscle, there's one thing you should learn
By staying still and reflecting on my thoughts, I hope to learn something about myself and figure out a way to address my struggles.

That money's something I could never earn
I acknowledge that money is not the solution to my problems and that my struggles are about more than just financial stability.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GENDEL, GODDESS, SHIVIKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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