The initial line-up for the debut album, entitled The Lilac Time, released in November 1987 was the two Duffys and keyboardist Michael Weston. Subsequent line-ups have revolved around the two brothers and included drummer Michael Giri, bassist Micky Harris, multi-instrumentalist Caroline Radcliffe, pianist Cara Tivey. Nick Duffy briefly left in 1990 and was replaced by guitarist Sagat Guirey. Later members post '91 split include backing vocalist & keyboardist Claire Worrall and pedal steel guitarist Melvin Duffy (no relation!).
The band's activity is intertwined with Stephen's solo career, waxing and waning as his time and attention permit. The longest gap between Lilac Time records was 8 years - 1991's Astronauts to 1999's Looking for a Day in the Night.
Now, Stephen Duffy is perhaps best known as the co-songwriter and producer for Robbie Williams, and after many years of obscurity, a series of reissues now means that the entire Lilac Time back catalogue is available to buy in the UK for the first time ever. His three later solo albums (1993's Music in Colors, 1995's Duffy & 1998's I Love My Friends) have also been reissued with extra tracks.
From 2003 to 2009 the band released records as Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time and has stabilised with the permanent line-up of Stephen Duffy, Nick Duffy and Claire Worrall (who married Stephen Duffy in 2008). Michael Giri, Micky Harris and Melvin Duffy supplement the line-up on rare occasions they play live.
April 2015 sees the return of The Lilac Time name in the form of a new album, entitled No Sad Songs.
Paper Boat
The Lilac Time Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You trust them to let you down
Now you're lying on the floor
In this go and get up town
You sail a paper boat on an inky sea
Still you don't know why you're alone
But freedom has a price
By loving him you died
By leaving you died twice
You sail a paper boat on an inky sea
Still you don't know why you're alone
Blow, don't blow the candle out
No, you'll need it to see
Through the murky hours
Till you sleep
Tell me what you know
I don't know that much
Just when you leave you leave
You never keep in touch
You sail a paper boat on an inky sea
But still you don't know why you're alone
The Lilac Time's song 'Paper Boat' offers a poignant narrative about the complexity of relationships and the painful experience of being alone. The song starts with a sense of disillusionment as the singer realizes that they have been trusting too easily and as a result, they have been let down by everyone. They now find themselves lying on the floor in a town that is unsympathetic and harsh, implicitly suggesting that the singer feels defeated and vulnerable. The use of the phrase 'go and get up town' is a clever play on the common expression 'go-getter,' which is typically associated with confident and successful people. In this instance, however, the singer is clearly not a go-getter but rather a victim of circumstance.
The metaphor of 'sailing a paper boat on an inky sea' refers to the fragility of life and the inherent difficulties of navigating one's way through the world. Despite the fact that the singer is alone, they are still unable to comprehend why this is. The song then takes on a more personal note as the singer reflects on a past relationship. They initially left their former partner to be free, but they have now come to understand that there is a price to pay for that freedom. By staying in the relationship, they felt that they had died, but by leaving, they had died twice. This is a particularly poignant line that captures the complexity and the painful nature of relationships.
Overall, 'Paper Boat' is a beautifully written song that offers profound insights into the human experience. It remains a testament to the talent and lyrical genius of The Lilac Time.
Line by Line Meaning
You think everyones the one
You believe that everyone you meet is the perfect match for you.
You trust them to let you down
You have such blind faith in people that they eventually end up disappointing you.
Now you're lying on the floor
You feel defeated and vulnerable.
In this go and get up town
You find yourself in a place where you have to constantly struggle to keep going.
You sail a paper boat on an inky sea
You are trying to navigate through life's uncertainties with something as fragile as a paper boat.
Still you don't know why you're alone
Despite your efforts, you still feel disconnected from the world around you.
You left him to be free
You chose to end a relationship in order to pursue your own freedom.
But freedom has a price
Your newfound independence comes at a cost.
By loving him you died
Your former love has left you emotionally drained and unable to move on.
By leaving you died twice
You feel a sense of loss and regret for ending the relationship.
Blow, don't blow the candle out
Don't give up hope.
No, you'll need it to see
Your inner light will guide you through the darkness.
Through the murky hours
During the difficult times.
Till you sleep
Until the end of your life.
Tell me what you know
Share your wisdom and knowledge with me.
I don't know that much
I'm not sure how to navigate through life either.
Just when you leave you leave
Once you detach yourself from something, you rarely come back to it.
You never keep in touch
You struggle to maintain close relationships with the people in your life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind