Paper Route is composed of Chad Howat (bass, piano, programming), J.T. Daly (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Andy Smith (vocals, guitars, harmonica), and Gavin McDonald (drums). Howat, Daly, and Smith first began playing together late at night after a previous musical endeavor had disbanded. Paste magazine deemed Paper Route an artist to watch.
From late July through August 2008, Paper Route was part of the Final Riot Tour, with Paramore, Phantom Planet, and Jack's Mannequin. They have also toured with Copeland and Passion Pit.
In early 2008, the TV show One Tree Hill featured Paper Route songs in the episodes "Life Is Short" and "Cryin' Won't Help You Now". The band's song "Last Time" was chosen to be the theme song for the August 31, 2008 Nike+ Human Race.
The band's major label debut, Absence, was issued on Universal Records on April 28, 2009. The album reached #13 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
Carousel
Paper Route Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You and I are gonna get it right
Don't let me go
It takes two to make a leader but
One has to follow
Help me, help me understand
What we've become
We fell apart and then proceeded to
On and on and on we go
Just like a carousel that's lost control
We don't know why, we don't know why
We go, we go, we go in circles
I want you more than anything
Just as you're leaving
For every wound that's an apology
That's lost its meaning
You and I, I think we're better off
Without each other
The last ride, the unavoidable
Keeps getting farther
On and on and on we go
Just like a carousel that's lost control
We don't know why, we don't know why
We go, we go, we go in circles
On and on and on we spin
To find an end where we begin
We don't know why, we don't know why
We go, we go, we go in circles
The song "Carousel" by Paper Route explores the complexities of a failing relationship that is caught in a vicious cycle of going in circles. The lyrics reveal the feelings of frustration and desperation that arise when two people are unable to communicate effectively and resolve their issues. The song opens with the lines "You and I are gonna get it right, don't let me go" where the singer expresses a desire to work things out with their partner. However, it becomes clear that the situation is more complicated than that, as the next two lines state "It takes two to make a leader but, one has to follow" suggesting that there is a power struggle in the relationship.
As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the couple as having "fallen apart" and both "playing the victim". The chorus compares their relationship to a carousel that has lost control, constantly going in circles without an end in sight. Despite their disagreements and the futility of their arguments, the singer still wants their partner, stating "I want you more than anything, just as you're leaving". However, the wounds between them have become so deep that apologies have "lost their meaning".
Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of resignation about the end of the relationship. The lines "You and I, I think we're better off, without each other. The last ride, the unavoidable, keeps getting farther" suggest that there is a sense of inevitability about the separation, and that the cycle they are caught in is never-ending.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I are gonna get it right
We will eventually find a way to succeed together
Don't let me go
Stay with me and don't give up on us
It takes two to make a leader but
Leadership requires cooperation from both partners
One has to follow
One partner must be willing to take a supporting role for the other to lead successfully
Help me, help me understand
I need your help to comprehend what we've become
What we've become
Our relationship has changed and it's hard to understand
We fell apart and then proceeded to
After our relationship failed, we both played the victim instead of taking responsibility
Both play the victim
We both blamed each other rather than accepting our own faults
On and on and on we go
Our relationship continues despite its flaws
Just like a carousel that's lost control
Our relationship is spinning out of control
We don't know why, we don't know why
We lack clarity on the reasons for our struggles
We go, we go, we go in circles
Our relationship is stuck in a repetitive pattern
I want you more than anything
I still have strong feelings for you
Just as you're leaving
You're about to walk away from me
For every wound that's an apology
I am sorry for every time I hurt you
That's lost its meaning
My apologies are no longer effective
You and I, I think we're better off
Our relationship is not healthy and we should probably end it
Without each other
We would be better off separated
The last ride, the unavoidable
Our final moments together are approaching
Keeps getting farther
Our relationship's end seems to be getting more distant with time
On and on and on we spin
We continue in our unproductive cycle
To find an end where we begin
We hope to come full circle and find a resolution
We don't know why, we don't know why
We still lack understanding
We go, we go, we go in circles
And we continue to repeat our past mistakes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RONALD FAIR, STEFANIE J. RIDEL, NICOLAS JACK SCAPA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
duda!
this deserves millions of views
manmythlegendary
I love finding new music! The intro to this song is just fantastic.
nadinewouldsay
You are so super talented! It was great to meet you at the Owl City & Lights concert in Vancouver! Keep it up!
Rahul Naik
This deserves so many more views!
HeartlessHeroe
This band is freaking amazing live =]]
M.
This whole album is amazing :D
Nicole Geathers
years later and its still soo good!!! NEEDS MORE VIEWS
J Yong
Amazing live. And on record. ♥
hotmutton
Just saw these guys with Anberlin. I was really impressed by them!! Looking forward to listening to more of their stuff!
raisin22
wow best discovery today. i love finding unique awesome music. these guys sound amazing.