Paper Cup Exit
Sonic Youth Lyrics


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Skimmin' the tops of tall trees
Through the clear light of free speech
A sudden memory disease
Claims the air all around me

I'm gettin' lost in the slipstream
Maybe relive the same dream
Of comin' in from the cold
And losin' half of my soul

Memory disease
Across United States

That I had told the truth
Feel so high
Architectural
I look to the skies
To see our bodies
They were rising up
Out of the paper cup

A sea change is due
I don't seem to (?) you
Touchdown on the new Mason-Dixon
Line-up map was ripped and torn
Jilted frame with all hope gone
And I don't mind if you sing a different song
Sing a different song
Just as long as you sing
Sing along

It's later than it seems [x3]
Time everyone came down(?)
It's what you didn't say it's what you didn't say
Don't wanna be a slave
It's what you didn't

Skimmin' the tops of tall trees
Through the clear light of free speech
I'm comin' in for a landing
I've got a solid standing
It all comes down to a word
It's just like nothin' I heard
Over the rainbow in time
Will be one hell of a climb
Eye lights bright
The lights sweep high clear sky
Sky
Reminiscent
Of money in your eye
Unwind

I don't mind if you sing a different song
Sing a different song
Just as long as you sing
Sing along
It's later than it seems
It's later than it seems
It's later than it seems

New ears are listening
It's what you didn't say
It's what you didn't say
Don't wanna be a slave




It's what you didn't say
Nothing to give away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sonic Youth's "Paper Cup Exit" paint a picture of confusion and disjointedness, as if the singer is struggling to piece together their memories and experiences. The opening lines suggest a feeling of freedom and possibility ("skimmin' the tops of tall trees through the clear light of free speech") but this is quickly contrasted with the "sudden memory disease" that "claims the air all around me." The use of the word "disease" implies that there is something contagious and uncontrollable about these memories, and they are taking over the singer's consciousness.


The next lines suggest that the singer is stuck in some kind of pattern or cycle ("maybe relive the same dream of comin' in from the cold and losin' half of my soul") and that this is related to the "memory disease" that is affecting them. The chorus repeats the idea of the "memory disease" spreading across the United States, which could be a comment on how difficult it is to escape our personal histories and the weight of our past experiences.


The later verses of the song are more abstract, but seem to evoke a sense of dislocation and uncertainty. The line "I've got a solid standing / it all comes down to a word" could suggest that the singer is trying to hold onto something in the midst of confusion, but that this stability is fragile and dependent on something intangible. The repeated refrain of "I don't mind if you sing a different song" seems to be a plea for connection or understanding, even if it means letting go of a sense of individuality or uniqueness.


Overall, "Paper Cup Exit" is a complex and evocative song that speaks to the difficulties of memory, identity, and connection in a fast-paced and ever-changing world.


Line by Line Meaning

Skimmin' the tops of tall trees
The singer is flying above the trees and observing them from a distance


Through the clear light of free speech
The singer is experiencing freedom of expression and is in a state of clarity


A sudden memory disease
The singer is struggling with a sudden memory disorder that is affecting them emotionally


Claims the air all around me
The disorder is affecting the artist's environment and making them feel trapped


I'm gettin' lost in the slipstream
The artist is getting caught up in the current of life and losing direction


Maybe relive the same dream
The singer is hoping to repeat a past experience and gain clarity


Of comin' in from the cold
The singer is hoping to escape a difficult situation and find warmth


And losin' half of my soul
The escape may result in the loss of something important to the artist


Memory disease
The artist is still struggling with the memory disorder that affects them


Across United States
The disorder may be affecting people all over the country


That I had told the truth
The singer wishes they had been honest in a past situation


Feel so high
The artist feels euphoric or excited


Architectural
The singer is admiring the structure of something, perhaps buildings or the sky


I look to the skies
The singer is gazing upwards, perhaps searching for answers or guidance


To see our bodies
The singer is observing people and their physicality


They were rising up
The people are ascending or becoming more successful


Out of the paper cup
The people are surpassing humble beginnings and achieving success


A sea change is due
A significant shift is expected


I don't seem to (?) you
The singer doesn't understand the other person's perspective


Touchdown on the new Mason-Dixon
The artist is arriving at a new location, potentially in the south of the US


Line-up map was ripped and torn
The map the artist was relying on is damaged or incomplete


Jilted frame with all hope gone
The artist feels disappointed and hopeless


And I don't mind if you sing a different song
The singer is willing to accept different perspectives or opinions


Sing a different song
The artist encourages diversity and individuality


Just as long as you sing
The singer values expression and communication


It's later than it seems [x3]
Time is running out and the situation is more urgent than it appears


Time everyone came down(?)
People need to become more grounded or realistic


It's what you didn't say it's what you didn't say
The unsaid words or thoughts are just as important as the spoken ones


Don't wanna be a slave
The artist desires freedom and independence


New ears are listening
The singer sees potential for change or improvement


Nothing to give away
The singer has nothing to lose and is open to new experiences




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIM GORDON, LEE OROURKE, LEE RANALDO, STEEVE SHELLEY, THURSTON MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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