Formerly part of Cardiff-based band Halflight, Llewellyn and Howells, from Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire respectively, made music that has been compared to Fleetwood Mac, Suzanne Vega, The Sundays, The Civil Wars and Laura Marling. The BBC described them as "a west coast, easy-riding, folkish indie with a pop sensibility", and The Guardian as "disarming, breezy pop that's tinged with melancholy".
Llewellyn was also formerly a member of Cartoon while Howells was part of rock/riot grrrl band Jylt. At the end of 2008 they joined forces with the Autonomy Music Group. In January 2009 they worked with John Reynolds (Sinéad O'Connor, Andrea Corr) on two singles that were taken from their album The Day We Ran Into the Sea, which was released in 2010, and described by the BBC's Adam Walton as "'pop' music: brilliantly crafted and stoked from a bruised heart's embers". BBC Radio Wales described it as "the finest radio album to come out of Wales since Rockferry".
The band featured on Bob Harris's BBC Radio 2 show, being interviewed by Harris and performing a live session. They have also recorded a live video session for the BBC.
Immediately prior to the release of their album We Are Ghosts in March 2011, the band used local independent coffee shops to publicise their music. A limited edition 4-track CD was produced and these were given away at each of 12 of the band's favorite cafés, in exchange for the purchase of food at the venue.
Little Letters was released on Navigator Records in May 2013 to critical acclaim. Radio play from Dermot O'leary, Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6music.
Their album JOY was released on 8 April 2015.
In 2017 the group announced their separation to focus on solo projects. Howells now tours as a solo artist under the stage name Bryde.
www.facebook.com/paperaeroplanesmusic.
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Cliche
Paper Aeroplanes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All your thoughts were the same as mine
We were good as gold together and the stars would align
The lightening might never strike twice
And sparks might never fly
And it's a cliche and that's all I have
Cliche not anything more
But that's what I loved you for
And though the songs have been sung before
I sing along
To everyone
In those autumn days
We'd hide away in the same cafes
Watching the colours burn and simmer and get blown away
The rain pours down over this town
And life gets in the way.
I still long for you
My first tatoo
My right and wrong
You are my favourite song
The song "Cliché" by Paper Aeroplanes begins by painting a picture of two individuals who were once inseparable. The singer reminisces about a time when their thoughts were aligned, and they were "good as gold together." The use of the phrase "the stars would align" suggests that at one point, everything seemed perfect and effortless between the two of them. However, the singer acknowledges that lightning might never strike twice, and sparks might never fly again. This statement communicates that whatever special bond the two of them once shared is now a thing of the past.
The next stanza describes how the two of them used to spend their time. They would hide away in cafes and watch the autumn colors come and go. However, as time went on, life got in the way. The rain pours down over the town, a metaphor for the hardships and obstacles that they faced, and ultimately, the relationship began to fall apart.
Despite this, the singer still longs for their former partner. They sing about how the other person was their "first tattoo" and "my favorite song." Even though the situation seems cliche and overdone, the singer acknowledges that they still can't get over this person, and they sing along to every song about heartbreak.
Overall, the song explores the bittersweet feeling of holding onto memories of past relationships, even if they're no longer sustainable. It emphasizes the idea that relationships are not always perfect and that, in the end, the memories we hold onto are what keep them alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
There was a time when we were together and happy.
All your thoughts were the same as mine
We were very much alike in our thoughts and opinions.
We were good as gold together and the stars would align
We were perfectly matched, and it felt as though fate had brought us together.
The lightening might never strike twice
Such a perfect match might never happen again.
And sparks might never fly
We might never feel the same intensity of emotion that we once did.
And it's a cliche and that's all I have
Our story is a common one and there's nothing unique about it.
Try to get over you but I can't
I've tried to move on but I still can't forget you.
Cliche not anything more
Our story is over and there's nothing more to it.
But that's what I loved you for
Despite it being a common story, I still loved you for who you are.
And though the songs have been sung before
Our love story has been told many times before by others.
I sing along
But I still feel connected to it and I can't help but sing along.
In those autumn days
There was a time when we were happy together, perhaps in the fall season.
We'd hide away in the same cafes
We used to spend time together in cozy cafes.
Watching the colours burn and simmer and get blown away
We used to watch the beautiful autumn colors and how they would eventually fade away.
The rain pours down over this town
The present is summed up in a metaphor of a rainy town.
And life gets in the way.
We've gone our separate ways because life has gotten in the way.
I still long for you
Despite everything, I still yearn for your love.
My first tatoo
The memory of you is permanently etched into my memory like a tattoo.
My right and wrong
You were the one who shaped my moral compass and sense of right and wrong.
You are my favourite song
You were the melody to which my heart beat, and you'll always be my favorite love song.
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ironeaglefitness
Great song and vocals! Love the sound. Rosie! Awesome job directing!!
TheSmirkyFace
I heard this on Radio 2 the other night, and LOVE it. Loved all the other songs they played too. Brilliant. Thanks x
Chiamatemi Gio
This song has a lovely 90's sound and her voice is amazing. She can touch plenty notes just like breathing (even though you have to breathe to touch a note... XD)
Vossie
WHAT A GREAT VOICE SHE HAS SOOO LOVELY!!!!!
Pilchadium
Great song, wonderful video! Well done! Pilch X
IWannabeJew
Really good stuff! Great video!
badbestfriend
<3 it more and more
supermmarcos
im so addicted to this song! I listen to it everyday!
mark le
awsome voice missed them earlier in year at the torch cant wait to see them in december
TomMannCenturia
Ghosted by mannequin, Sarah deserved so much more.