They appeared some years before similar recording acts such as Bananarama and Atomic Kitten became commonplace. Anticipating the Spice Girls, each member of the group had a nickname.
Signed to Pye Records, Paper Dolls had one solitary success. The song, "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps A-Tellin’ Me No)", which was their debut single, and was written by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod, reached Number 11 in the UK Singles Chart in 1968. The enduring image of the Paper Dolls, as seen, for example, on BBC Television's Top of the Pops, was inescapably that of three young women in miniskirts, the popularity and brevity of which were at their height at the time. Moreover, the name of the group was itself suggestive of "dolly birds", a rather impersonal term which, in the 1970s, journalist Christopher Booker associated with "girls [being] transformed into throwaway plastic objects".
Several follow-ups, notably "My Life (Is In Your Hands)" and "Someday", failed to chart. Their greatest disappointment came when their producers arranged for them to record another Macaulay co-composition "Build Me Up Buttercup" later that year. Due to a misunderstanding they never turned up for the session, and instead the song was given to The Foundations, whose version became a transatlantic hit. The flip side of "Someday", entitled "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)" was also recorded by The Foundations, for whom it charted in the UK.
The Paper Dolls released a single album, Paper Dolls House in 1968, which was re-issued with bonus tracks on CD in 2001. Originally it contained a cover of The Beach Boys' song "Darlin'"; whilst the latter version contained a previously unreleased cover of the Paul McCartney penned, "Step Inside Love".
In 1970 they signed to RCA. But two further singles, yet another cover, this time of The Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back"; plus the more original "Remember December" (featuring backing vocals by Brian Connolly - later of Sweet); went unnoticed, and the trio split up. Thus they remain as one-hit wonders.
After the split:
In 1978, billed as 'Tiger Sue', Mathis released a solo single of the Jackie DeShannon penned song, "When You Walk in the Room".
Mathis had another moment of glory in 1980 as vocal coach for the St Winifred's School Choir, whose single "There's No-one Quite Like Grandma" was a Christmas number one in 1980.
Mathis became a local radio presenter, appearing on Piccadilly Radio and BBC Radio Manchester.
Also, Mathis went on to become a fundraising co-ordinator for the "Kirsty Appeal" on behalf of the Francis House Children's Hospice, in Didsbury, Manchester, and was involved with various other cancer charities. Ironically, she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself, early in 2004.
Darlin
The Paper Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But darlin' I'll find a way
To let you know what you meant to me
Guess it was meant to be
I hold you in my heart
As life's most precious part
Oh darlin'
(Darlin' you're so fine)
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Your precious love uh huh, oh
You were living like half a man
Then I couldn't love but now I can
You pick me up when I'm feeling sad
More soul than I ever had
Gonna love you every single night
Cause I think you're too outta sight
Oh oh darlin'
I dream about you often my darlin'
(Darlin' you're so fine)
I love the way soften my life with your love
Your precious love uh huh huh
Woah oh oh oh
Every night oh darlin'
Gonna love you every single night, yes I will
Cause I think you're too dog gone outta sight
Oh darlin'
I dream about you often my darlin'
(Darlin' you're so fine)
I love the way soften my life with your love
Your precious love uh huh huh
Oh
The lyrics to The Paper Dolls' song "Darlin" describe the strong and intense love that the singer has for their partner. The opening lines suggest that the singer may struggle to express their feelings through words, but they are committed to finding a way to let their partner know just how much they mean to them. The chorus highlights the dreamy nature of their love, with the singer confessing to thinking about their partner often and loving the way they soften their life with their affection. The second verse describes how the partner was previously incomplete or "living like half a man," but the singer's love has helped them become whole again. The singer finds comfort in their partner's ability to pick them up when they are feeling down, and they pledge to love their partner every single night because they think they are "too dog gone outta sight."
Overall, the lyrics to "Darlin" suggest a deep and passionate love between two people who have a strong bond. The singer uses dreamy language and metaphors to express their emotions and describe how their partner makes them feel. The song is a classic example of a love ballad, with its simple yet powerful melody and lyrics that are easy to sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know if words could say
I am unsure if mere words are enough to express my love for you.
But darlin' I'll find a way
Regardless, I am determined to express my love to you in any way possible, my dear.
To let you know what you meant to me
Because you mean so much to me, I want to convey this to you in the strongest words possible.
Guess it was meant to be
It appears that our love was always destined to be, my love. It was meant to be.
I hold you in my heart
My love for you goes beyond just words; it is a feeling that I carry in my heart always.
As life's most precious part
I regard you as the most valuable part of my life, dear. You complete me.
Oh darlin'
My love, my dear, my darling. You are my everything.
I dream about you often my groovy guy
You are always in my thoughts and dreams, my amazing partner.
(Darlin' you're so fine)
You are the epitome of beauty, my love, a true gem and my heart's desire.
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Your love envelopes me, and it makes everything in my life better and easy. I love how you make everything better for me.
Your precious love uh huh, oh
The love we share is beyond valuable, it is precious and priceless, my dear.
You were living like half a man
Before I came along, you were incomplete, and your life was incomplete too.
Then I couldn't love but now I can
When I fell in love with you, I discovered the missing piece of my heart. Now, I can love you more than you can imagine.
You pick me up when I'm feeling sad
Whenever I feel sad, you always brighten my day and lift up my spirits.
More soul than I ever had
Being with you has brought me more life, soul and joy than I ever knew was possible.
Gonna love you every single night
I promise to love you every night of our lives, my love. You deserve only the best.
Cause I think you're too outta sight
You are incredible, my darling. I can't imagine my life without you. You are out of this world.
Woah oh oh oh
This tune gives me so much joy, just like being with you does.
Every night oh darlin'
I promise to love you every single night, my sweet love. You deserve nothing but the best.
Yes I will
I am committed to showering you with love, affection and care for as long as I live.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL LOVE, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind