In its earlier days, the band had duel vocals performed by De Marrais and Fischer; later, De Marrais would become the lead vocalist in the majority of their songs. The band's many tours and intimate live shows at venues such as Brooklyn's Northsix (now Music Hall of Williamsburg), Washington, D.C.'s The Black Cat, Bowery Ballroom in NYC, and Chapel Hill's Cat's Cradle helped to grow its fan base and fuel album sales.
On November 6, 2006, the band announced, through Pitchfork Media, that the December 16th show at New York City's Bowery Ballroom would be their last. They played one more show on December 17th at Northsix, which De Marrais referred to as "home" because it also served as the band's rehearsal space.
The band reformed in 2014 with a reunion show at Bowery Ballroom on December 31. Additional shows were added for February 14 and April 18, 2015 at Lincoln Hall in Chicago and Union Transfer in Philadelphia, respectively.
In 2017 the band released S/T, their first album in 11 years.
Paper Sack
Rainer Maria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper sack
no need to leave a note once you've packed
if you can stay gone, I don't want you back.
So I sit here as you stand there
press me flat beneath the weight of that even-keeled stare
no need to leave a note if you go,
if it'd take the rosetta stone to decode.
when we kiss and I take your pulse
no need to explain if you're leaving but if you stay
you gotta shake me if I stop breathing.
Da dee da dee la la la la
I watch your eyes for signs of life
will your pupils dilate if I shine a light?
no need to apologize if you're dead
we should've gone out tonight, should've given it a rest.
I put two fingers to your throat
when we kiss I take your pulse
no need to explain if you're leaving but if you stay
you gotta shake me if I stop breathing.
One deep breath could clear the dust that covers you,
but if you leave I may never find another love.
So here's the tail with no end
it circles back to the mouth where it begins again
and f I sat and sang all night
it wouldn't change a thing, couldn't make anything all right.
I put two fingers to your throat
when we kiss and I take your pulse
if you can find that axe you can grind it now
in case you've forgotten, I can show you how
One deep breath could clear the thoughts that trouble you
But if you leave, I may never find another love.
Da dee da dee la la la la
Da dee da dee la la la la.
The lyrics to Rainer Maria's song "Paper Sack" paint a picture of a tumultuous and uncertain relationship. The singer, seemingly resigned to the fact that their partner is leaving, makes it clear that they do not want them back. The lines "if you can stay gone, I don't want you back" and "no need to leave a note if you go" convey a sense of detachment and finality.
However, the song also reveals that the singer is deeply connected to their partner on a physical and emotional level. The lines "I put two fingers to your throat when we kiss and I take your pulse" and "I watch your eyes for signs of life" suggest an intense, almost clinical level of intimacy. The singer is attuned to their partner's physical and emotional state, and is acutely aware of the potential for loss.
Line by Line Meaning
So there's your coat and here's your hat
I am bidding you a cold farewell
I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper sack
I am weak and powerless
no need to leave a note once you've packed
You don't owe me an explanation for leaving
if you can stay gone, I don't want you back.
I am better off without you
So I sit here as you stand there
I am stuck, while you have the freedom to leave
press me flat beneath the weight of that even-keeled stare
Your look shows you are indifferent towards me
no need to leave a note if you go,
Your absence requires no explanation
if it'd take the rosetta stone to decode.
I cannot understand you, no matter how hard I try
I put two fingers to your throat
I am holding onto you tightly
when we kiss and I take your pulse
I am looking for signs of life
no need to explain if you're leaving but if you stay
Your leaving or staying won't change anything
you gotta shake me if I stop breathing.
You have a hold on me, and I depend on you
I watch your eyes for signs of life
I am searching for any indication of love
will your pupils dilate if I shine a light?
I am trying to use a physical test to see if you still love me
no need to apologize if you're dead
You cannot take responsibility if you have emotionally checked out
we should've gone out tonight, should've given it a rest.
We pushed ourselves too far, and should have slowed down
One deep breath could clear the dust that covers you,
Only a moment of introspection can help clear your mind
but if you leave I may never find another love.
I am afraid of being alone
So here's the tail with no end
Our story goes on even though we don't know the outcome
it circles back to the mouth where it begins again
Our relationship is cyclical
and f I sat and sang all night
If I poured my heart out, it still wouldn't solve our problems
it wouldn't change a thing, couldn't make anything all right.
Our problems are bigger than my ability to fix them
if you can find that axe you can grind it now
If you have any issues, say them now
in case you've forgotten, I can show you how
Remember, I am here to help you through problems
Da dee da dee la la la la
This line is a meaningless, repetitive phrase
Contributed by Scarlett L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.