Owen and Hobbs both grew up in the village of Wendover, Buckinghamshire. They met when they were still in school and started writing songs together. They began writing and recording songs for The Boy Least Likely To in the summer of 2002. The group created the independent label Too Young to Die as a means to release their music. Their first release was the 7" single "Paper Cuts" in 2003. They released three singles and completed the recording of their debut album before they played any live shows. Their debut album The Best Party Ever was released in the UK in February of 2005. The album was released in the United States in late Spring 2006.
The Best Party Ever was included in the Pitchfork top 50 albums of 2005 and was number 8 in the Rough Trade Shop top 100 albums of the same year.
They are known for the colourful characters that they use in their artwork, which are drawn by Jof Owen's brother, Tim. The artwork for their second album features 3D versions of the drawings that have been knitted.
The band describe their own sound as "Country Disco". They were included in the top ten bands of 2006 in Rolling Stone magazine, and described as sounding like what would happen "if all your childhood stuffed animals got together and started a band."
In October 2006 they toured the United Kingdom with Razorlight.
The touring band commonly included: Alistair Hamer, dr., Adam Chetwood, gtr., Anthony Bishop, bs., Bahar Brunton, keys/vio., Amanda Applewood, keys./bvs/cakes.
In September 2006 they began work on their second album, and in February 2008 the band posted two new songs from their upcoming album on their Myspace.
The Law Of the Playground was then released on April 14 2009.
Website: http://www.theboyleastlikelyto.co.uk
Label: http://www.tooyoungtodierecords.com
Fansite: http://www.thegirlleastlikelyto.com
Paper Cuts
The Boy Least Likely To Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I mumble when I speak
I'm in the gutter lookin' at the stars
I've always been in love with you
I look tough enough
But if you hold me up to the light
You can see my broken heart
They're just paper cuts, I'll sellotape them up
And bandage them with cotton wool and glue
Paper cuts, I shouldn't beat myself up
Over little things the way I do
Nothing stays the same
I wish, I could remain the color
Of the cherry blossom tree
I've always been in love with you
I always used to leave
Before I went to sleep
But now I just pass out watching TV
I've always been in love with you
They're just paper cuts, I'll sellotape them up
And bandage them with cotton wool and glue
Paper cuts, I shouldn't beat myself up
Over little things the way I do
Just be careful when you shine
Because if you throw a light
On something magical
It disappears
Paper cuts, I'll sellotape them up
And bandage them with cotton wool and glue
They're just paper cuts, I shouldn't beat myself up
Over little things the way I do
I bruise like a peach
I mumble when I speak
I'm in the gutter lookin' at the stars
I've always been in love with
The opening lines of The Boy Least Likely To's song Paper Cuts express a vulnerability and tenderness that encapsulates the theme of the song. The singer describes themselves as fragile by saying they "bruise like a peach" and "mumble when I speak." They feel small and insignificant ("in the gutter looking at the stars") but in spite of all this, they confess to being "always in love" with someone.
The second verse emphasizes the singer's internal struggles, as they reveal that they may appear tough on the surface but anyone who holds them up to the light can see their "broken heart." They explain that they've always been in love with this person but have been too afraid to share their feelings, causing themselves emotional "paper cuts" that they try to fix with "sellotape and cotton wool and glue." The chorus repeats this metaphor of paper cuts and emphasizes that the little things they worry about are not worth beating themselves up over.
The final verse is more nostalgic and wistful, with the singer expressing a desire to remain innocent and pure like the "cherry blossom tree." They admit to struggling with insomnia in the past and watching TV until they "pass out," furthering the overall sense of loneliness and isolation. The song concludes with a warning to be careful when illuminating something truly special because it may disappear.
Overall, Paper Cuts is a poignant and heartfelt song that deals with themes of insecurity, unrequited love, and the struggle to find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I bruise like a peach
I am fragile and easily hurt.
I mumble when I speak
I lack confidence when communicating.
I'm in the gutter lookin' at the stars
I am at a low point in life, but still hopeful for better days.
I've always been in love with you
I have been in love with you for a long time.
I look tough enough
I give off the impression of being strong and resilient.
But if you hold me up to the light
Upon closer examination, my vulnerabilities become more visible.
You can see my broken heart
My emotional pain is evident.
They're just paper cuts, I'll sellotape them up
Even though my wounds are minor, I still try to patch them up and move on.
And bandage them with cotton wool and glue
I try to comfort myself and fix my problems with simple solutions.
Paper cuts, I shouldn't beat myself up
I tend to be too hard on myself for small mistakes.
Over little things the way I do
I overthink and worry about small things unnecessarily.
Nothing stays the same
Change is constant and inevitable.
I wish, I could remain the color
I yearn for stability and wish to remain constant.
Of the cherry blossom tree
Like how the cherry blossom tree remains a beautiful symbol of spring each year.
I always used to leave
I used to run away from my problems.
Before I went to sleep
I would avoid facing my problems by going to bed.
But now I just pass out watching TV
Now, I use distractions like TV to avoid dealing with my issues.
Just be careful when you shine
Be cautious when you bring attention to something.
Because if you throw a light
Shining a light can reveal hidden things.
On something magical
On something beautiful or special.
It disappears
It can vanish or lose its charm under scrutiny.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JONTHAN OWEN, PETER HOBBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SantyPLAY_
Twee pop ❤❤❤