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.

What Am I Supposed to Do?
Papas Fritas Lyrics

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Said I do, said you don't and you left me with a note
We were just good friends and you really can't pretend
Didn't mind, I was young, my life had just begun
Spun my wheels, wrecked my car, woke up behind bars, screaming at the stars

What am I supposed to do to get my heart back from you

Never felt so free, I'm living just for me

I got pills, I got friends, I got letters here to send
I got time on my hands, you cancelled all my plans
I can't think, I can't try, nothing gets me high, all I do is cry

What am I supposed to do to get my heart back from you

Cut it out, glue it in, I'm jumping through my skin
I have dreams cast in red, I'm chasing shadows in my bed, and here they come again

What am I supposed to do to get my heart back from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Papas Fritas's song What Am I Supposed to Do? tell the story of a young person's heartbreak after being left by someone they thought was a good friend. The first verse describes the moment when the person received a note from their friend, breaking off their relationship. The second verse describes how the person coped with their heartbreak, turning to drugs and alcohol, and ultimately becoming lost and overwhelmed by emotions. The final verse describes how the person feels like they are going crazy, as they try to process their feelings of loss and grief.

The song captures the intensity of a youthful infatuation, as well as the sense of disillusionment and disorientation that can follow when that infatuation ends abruptly. The lyrics express a sense of helplessness and confusion, as the person tries to figure out how they can possibly move on from their heartbreak.

Despite the sadness of the lyrics, the song has an upbeat, catchy melody that adds to its emotional impact. The combination of catchy, upbeat music and melancholy lyrics is a hallmark of Papas Fritas's style, and is part of what makes them such a distinctive and beloved band.

Line by Line Meaning

Said I do, said you don't and you left me with a note
You gave a mixed signal and left me a note indicating that we should break up

We were just good friends and you really can't pretend
We were just friends and you cannot deny it

Didn't mind, I was young, my life had just begun
I didn't care much because I was young and my life was just getting started

Spun my wheels, wrecked my car, woke up behind bars, screaming at the stars
I went through a rough patch, crashed my car, and ended up in jail, shouting at the stars in frustration

What am I supposed to do to get my heart back from you
How can I get over you and move on?

Never felt so free, I'm living just for me
I have never felt this liberated before, I am now living for myself

I got pills, I got friends, I got letters here to send
I have medication, companionship, and letters to write and send

I got time on my hands, you cancelled all my plans
I have free time now, but you canceled our plans

I can't think, I can't try, nothing gets me high, all I do is cry
I am unable to cope, I can't concentrate, I cannot find solace in anything and all I do is cry

Cut it out, glue it in, I'm jumping through my skin
I try to distract myself by engaging in activities like cutting and glueing things, but I am still restless and anxious

I have dreams cast in red, I'm chasing shadows in my bed, and here they come again
I have vivid dreams, I am chasing shadows in my sleep and my problems keep resurfacing

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GENDEL, GODDESS, SHIVIKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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