Paper Tongues' eclectic sound ranges from bombastic songs like "For the People" that can light up a packed arena or a dance floor, while the soulful electronica-infused "Trinity" is inspiring and invigorating. Guitarist Devin Forbes comments, "Our music is extremely eclectic because we're all coming from different places. Aswan grew up with hip hop, Clayton grew up with electronica and I grew up with rock, but it all comes together fluidly in Paper Tongues."
Paper Tongues was officially born in 2007 on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina. Lead singer Aswan North, helped found the “Inprov Music Experience”, a weekly event where musicians played for the homeless at a main intersection in the middle of the city. The current band lineup congregated at uptown Charlotte weekly, slowly developing a bond. Aswan started cultivating his song writing and presence during those shows. He brought those street sounds and ideas to producers in Los Angeles. It didn't take long for Aswan's collaborators to feel the power and magnitude behind the ideas of his music. This caught Cody and Devin's attention. They had been formally playing as Paper Tongues. With Cody, Devin, Jordan and Clayton's help, Aswan quickly set out to find other members for this entity. As the songs sprung to life, Paper Tongues was reborn with the same vision to impact rock n' roll with a new sound.
A wide variety of influences inform Aswan's vibrant, vivacious vocal style, which falls somewhere between Al Green's Sultry falsetto and Steve Perry’s uplifting bravado. "Kool & the Gang and Grandmaster Flash were hugely influential. Anything out there with a great hook grabs my attention. As a kid, there was a ton of country music around me—Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty. I took all that in too, and it helped me write lyrics."
Working with producers Brian West (Nelly Furtado, K'naan, Béla Fleck), Mark Endert (Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Madonna), John Fields (Switchfoot, Jimmy Eat World), Billy Hume (Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, David Banner) and up-and-coming producer, Nicolas Balachandran. Paper Tongues crafted an album that's bustling with energy. However, there's a deeper purpose for the band. Keyboardist Cody Blackler explains, "It's rock music for sure, but we also want to bring something new.”
Paper Tongues want to work from the inside out too. Aswan continues, "I wouldn't want to start a revolution. I believe things only change from the inside out. I don't feel that we can change much unless we're willing to join hands with people who have already been bleeding. We want to do something new and fresh with the tools that already exist so the people who built those tools respect and honor us as their nephews." There's no doubt they will.
Ultimately, for Aswan and Co. Paper Tongues is a way of life. "We want fans to walk away from our music with that good feeling. We think our music can bring healing for a group of people, a society, bad politics and artists that feel hopeless. Paper Tongues' music should heal you and make you take a chance again."
Soul
Paper Tongues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can run but we get through some how
You should had known that these people'll break your walls down
Here come the feet of the found
We take you deep now
You can trust that we can work it out
You should believe that we obviously can't be stopped now
You live in a fire that makes you cold
Sell out the sounds that makes you known
Feelin' that they're invincible
The fires that make you cold
Standin' in a lamb that never sees
Handin' in line for crowns and greed
Elevator fairs that makes you bleed
Yeah, there is no peace
I know you're lost
And need to be found
Just take my hand and we'll shake the ground
Sometimes we all run, but what if this time we don't run
We touch you soul now
You can run but we get through some how
You should had known that these people'll break your walls down
Here come the feet of the found
We'll bring you home now
You were lost and couldn't feel the power
There ain't no problem, cause brother we got your covered now
Here come the feet of the found
Live in a fire that makes you cold
Sellin a lie that makes you bold
I don't wanna cut the humus, no
But the lies'll make you the cold
Livin a life than rather feel
Stealin from homes and takin' pills
I can't love, help reveal
Thieves have come to kill
I know you're lost
And need to be found
Just take my hand and we'll shake the ground
Sometimes we all run, but what if this time we don't run
I know you're lost
And need to be found
Just take my hand and we'll shake the ground
Sometimes we all run, but what if this time we don't run
I can touch your soul
We touch you soul now
You can run but we get through some how
You should had known that these people'll break your walls down
Here come the feet of the found
We'll touch you soul now
You can run but we get through some how
You should had known that these people'll break your walls down
Here come the feet of the found
The lyrics of "Soul" by Paper Tongues are about finding one's way out of darkness and into the light. The song acknowledges the struggles people face in their lives, such as feeling lost, living in fear, and being consumed by materialism. However, it assures listeners that there is hope and that they can overcome these challenges with the help of others who are also seeking to find their way. With lines like "I know you're lost and need to be found," the song encourages people to come together and support each other, rather than running away from their problems.
The chorus contains the repetition of "We touch your soul now," which suggests that the song is aimed at connecting with listeners on a deep emotional level. The verses are a mix of introspection and external observation, highlighting the ways in which people can lose themselves in their struggles, but also the ways in which they can break free and find a sense of purpose. The song ultimately provides a message of unity and hope, as the "feet of the found" come together to support and uplift each other.
Line by Line Meaning
We touch you soul now
We are deeply connecting with your inner being
You can run but we get through some how
You may try to resist or ignore us, but we will still reach you
You should had known that these people'll break your walls down
You should have expected that we will challenge and break down your defenses
Here come the feet of the found
We are the ones who have found our way and now we are here to help you find yours
We take you deep now
We are guiding you to explore your deepest thoughts and emotions
You can trust that we can work it out
You can rely on us to help you resolve your issues
You should believe that we obviously can't be stopped now
You should have faith in us because we are determined to help you and nothing can deter us
Live in a fire that makes you cold
You are trapped in a situation where your passion or energy is being drained
Sell out the sounds that makes you known
You have compromised your own unique style or voice to gain recognition or success
Feelin' that they're invincible
You or someone else feels untouchable or unbeatable
Standin' in a lamb that never sees
You are in a state of being complacent or unaware of what's happening around you
Handin' in line for crowns and greed
You are blindly pursuing wealth or power at the expense of everything else
Elevator fairs that makes you bleed
The things that you thought would take you higher in life are actually hurting you
Yeah, there is no peace
You are unable to find calm or tranquility in your current state
I know you're lost
I understand that you are feeling confused and directionless
And need to be found
And you need guidance and direction to find your way
Just take my hand and we'll shake the ground
Just trust me and we will make a big impact and change together
Sometimes we all run, but what if this time we don't run
We often avoid or run away from our problems, but what if this time we face them head-on
We'll bring you home now
We will help you find your way back to a sense of comfort and security
You were lost and couldn't feel the power
You were feeling powerless and directionless
There ain't no problem, cause brother we got your covered now
There's no need to worry, we are here to support and protect you
Livin a life than rather feel
It's better to truly experience life and its ups and downs, rather than just go through the motions
Stealin from homes and takin' pills
Engaging in destructive or harmful behavior such as theft or drug abuse
I can't love, help reveal
I cannot assist you in discovering or experiencing love
Thieves have come to kill
Those who are dishonest or harmful are here to destroy and harm others
I can touch your soul
I have the ability to connect with your innermost feelings and emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ASWAN NORTH, NICOLAS BALACHANDRAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind