Paper Bird (Denver, Colorado) consists of: Sarah Anderson (vocals, cornet/trumpet), Esme Patterson (vocals), Genevieve Patterson (vocals), Tyler Archuletta (trombone), Caleb Summeril (banjo and harmonica), Paul Dehaven (guitar), Mark Anderson (percussion, typewriter) and Macon Terry (bass). The band's first album Anything Nameless and Joymaking is an eclectic mix of folk, Americana, jazz, and everything good in the world. Their latest (and fourth) release is Rooms (2013); difficult to pin, one might now describe them as Indie Folk/Baroque Pop.
Anna Kohlweis was born in 1984 and lives in Vienna, Austria. She has been making music under that name since 2005. Her debut album Peninsula was released on Vienna-based label Seayou Records in early 2006. Two years later, in February 2008, Seayou released the the follow-up Cryptozoology, highly acclaimed by the music press for its intimate approach and complex lyrics. Her third album Thaumatrope, building choirs out of multiple vocal layers and using field recordings as complex rhythms, was released in November, 2009. Paper Bird is a purely one-woman-band working within her self-set concepts, see her latest work under Squalloscope.
MILK
Paper Bird Lyrics
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And use my thumbs only for empty space
To emphasise the awkward silence
Right in the middle between not so important words.
If it weren't for you, i would still know how to stop
With boundaries like barb wired frontiers
And only one dog door hidden somewhere to cross,
You see, i don't think you're wasting time,
If i could just make all the inner clocks stop ticking.
We might meet in the dark and quickly wipe the blood off our mouths,
I'd still think i know what you're thinking.
If it weren't for you, i'd still be so damn good at lying
And believing that love's some stupid card trick
Made out of jacks, queens, hearts and diamonds,
With you i'd gladly drink too much milk until it makes our stomachs sick.
The lyrics to the Paper Bird song "Milk" describe the transformative effect that a relationship can have on a person's ability to communicate and be vulnerable. The singer in the song starts by acknowledging that they used to speak in "riddles" and only use their thumbs for "empty space," indicating a lack of meaningful communication and connection with others. However, the presence of the person addressed in the song has changed all of that. The singer is now able to express themselves more openly and fill the "awkward silence" with important words.
The second verse expands on this idea, with the singer suggesting that their relationship has allowed them to be more open-minded and accepting of others. They no longer have "boundaries like barb wired frontiers" and are able to cross borders they never would have before. This newfound openness is likely tied to the relationship, as the singer implies that they can't even see the border from where they are now standing.
The final verse brings it all together by suggesting that the singer has changed so much because of this relationship that they now find the traditional "card trick" idea of love to be inadequate. Now, they are willing to drink too much milk until it makes them sick just to spend time with this person. The lyrics to "Milk" suggest that a transformative relationship can change a person's perspective on life, allowing them to communicate more openly and connect more deeply with others.
Line by Line Meaning
If it weren't for you, i'd still talk in riddles
Without you, I would still struggle to communicate my feelings and thoughts clearly
And use my thumbs only for empty space
I would still be aimless and unproductive without your influence
To emphasise the awkward silence
I would be content with uncomfortable situations without your help
Right in the middle between not so important words.
I would struggle to find meaning in everyday conversations without your guidance
If it weren't for you, i would still know how to stop
Without you, I would still have unhealthy boundaries and habits
With boundaries like barb wired frontiers
My personal boundaries would be too strict and harming me and those around me
And only one dog door hidden somewhere to cross,
I would have limited opportunities for personal growth
I can't even see the border from here.
Without you, I would not be able to see beyond my current limits
You see, i don't think you're wasting time,
I value your time and appreciate your help and guidance
If i could just make all the inner clocks stop ticking.
I wish I could pause time to appreciate and cherish the moments we have together
We might meet in the dark and quickly wipe the blood off our mouths,
We may have overcome obstacles and challenges together
I'd still think i know what you're thinking.
I feel a deep connection and understanding with you
If it weren't for you, i'd still be so damn good at lying
Without you, I would still have my dishonest tendencies and may have hurt others
And believing that love's some stupid card trick
I would still have a naive and immature understanding of love
Made out of jacks, queens, hearts and diamonds,
I would see love as something shallow and materialistic
With you i'd gladly drink too much milk until it makes our stomachs sick.
I would happily go beyond my comfort zone with you because I trust and love you
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.