An award-winning, California-grown, surf culture band that's established it… Read Full Bio ↴An award-winning, California-grown, surf culture band that's established itself as a vital part of the Santa Cruz, CA music scene.

Expendables' distinctive live performances and unique brand of music. Described as an electric mix of genre-bending rock, reggae and surf. It has begun to charm audiences far and wide. Rapidly approaching status as a full-time touring act, the band is a rising star on the West Coast. To date, The Expendables have performed with in-demand musical acts such as Slightly Stoopid and reggae legend Eek-A-Mouse; they have appeared live on the Vans’ Warped Tour; and hosted their own radio show on The Santa Cruz X 103.9 FM. The Expendables landed number one in the Metro Santa Cruz Top 10 list of favorite bands in local music. In addition, Lion Entertainment and Your Music Magazine awarded the group first place in their Battle of the Bands contest in 2002.

The Expendables have five original full-length albums to their credit:
"No Time to Worry" (2001); "Open Container" (2002); "Gettin' Filthy,” (2006) the polished result of a two-month recording stint at Herbie Herbert’s Sy Klopps Studios in San Francisco; "The Expendables" (2007); and their most recent, "Prove It" (2010).

http://www.myspace.com/theexpendables
http://www.theexpendables.net/

Paper Chains
The Expendables Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What we see it makes no sense
why do we constantly believe?
We have crumbled but within our borders
and I'm afraid help is out of reach

They've taken our voices and they've locked them out
with paper chains I'd like to burn
I cannot even enjoy a sunset

when our world is on the verge

All this weight has got my head hung low
a certain pride that gives the air
I don't wanna be another disciple
as they sit in their liars chair

Information has been bottled up
in the news I never heard
I cannot even sleep under the shining stars
when our world is on the verge
(Solo)

So I sit and watch this world go by
just like a lonesome bird
I cannot even concentrate on my own thoughts

when our world is on the verge
when our world is on the verge

Overall Meaning

The Expendables' "Paper Chains" is a song that explores a sense of helplessness and frustration at the state of the world, and how the voices of the people have been silenced by those in power. The first verse speaks of how what we see in the world doesn't make sense, and yet we are constantly believing what we see. The chorus makes reference to "paper chains", which could either be interpreted as physical chains made of paper, or symbolic chains that represent the way in which our voices are silenced. The singer wishes to burn these chains to reclaim their voice and agency.

In the second verse, the lyrics touch on how the weight of the world's problems has gotten the singer down, but that they still hold onto a certain pride that gives them hope. They do not want to become another follower of those in power, who sit in their "liars chair" and control the information that is relayed to the masses. The third verse adds more weight to the idea that important information is being hidden or misrepresented, making it difficult to sleep at night under the "shining stars" when the world is in such turmoil.

Overall, "Paper Chains" is a commentary on the state of the world, how we are manipulated and silenced by those in power, and the frustration that comes with feeling like we are unable to do anything to change it.

Line by Line Meaning

What we see it makes no sense
Despite all that we see happening in the world, it does not logically add up or make sense.

why do we constantly believe?
Even though we question what we see and hear, we still choose to believe in what we are told.

We have crumbled but within our borders
Our society has fallen apart and is struggling, but only within our own boundaries.

and I'm afraid help is out of reach
The issues we face are seemingly insurmountable and aid or support may not be readily available.

They've taken our voices and they've locked them out
Our opinions and ideas are being silenced and ignored by those in power.

with paper chains I'd like to burn
The metaphorical chains that are holding us back and suppressing our voices need to be destroyed.

I cannot even enjoy a sunset
The beauty of the world cannot be fully appreciated due to the turmoil and chaos happening within it.

when our world is on the verge
The world we live in is on the brink of destruction and chaos.

All this weight has got my head hung low
The heaviness of the world's problems is weighing heavily on our minds and spirits.

a certain pride that gives the air
There is a feeling of pride that can be sensed, despite the challenges we face.

I don't wanna be another disciple
I do not want to blindly follow the opinions and beliefs of those in power.

as they sit in their liars chair
Those who hold power are often dishonest with their intentions and actions.

Information has been bottled up
The truth about what is happening in the world is being suppressed and hidden from the public.

in the news I never heard
The mainstream media is not reporting on important issues and struggles that are happening in the world.

I cannot even sleep under the shining stars
The beauty of the universe cannot be fully enjoyed or appreciated due to the problems and turmoil happening on Earth.

So I sit and watch this world go by
Instead of actively participating and trying to make a change, I am simply observing the events happening around me.

just like a lonesome bird
Feeling isolated and alone in my thoughts and opinions.

I cannot even concentrate on my own thoughts
The noise and distractions surrounding us make it difficult to focus and reflect on our own thoughts and beliefs.

when our world is on the verge
The overwhelming problems and challenges happening in the world make it difficult to think of anything else.

Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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