The band initially recorded demo recordings at Sam Bentley's home and Rasmussen's university. Encouraged by friends, they released homemade EPs and gained traction with their single "Bloom" in 2010. The band performed extensively in Australia and New Zealand, including opening for acts such as Hungry Kids of Hungary and Passenger.
The band initially gained attention with their single "Bloom" in 2010, leading to extensive performances in Australia and New Zealand. In 2011, they recorded their first EP, "Woodland," followed by the release of the EP "Young North" in 2012. They toured nationally and opened for acts like Josh Pyke and Boy & Bear. Following the tour, the band did a small run of shows opening for UK band Bombay Bicycle Club in January 2013.
Their debut full-length album, "States," was recorded in 2013, and they embarked on a national tour in Australia. They also toured internationally, including the United States and Canada. The band gained exposure with song placements in Grey's Anatomy and released their second album, "Twelvefour," in 2015. It was a concept album written between midnight and 4 AM.
In 2018, they released the albums "On the Train Ride Home" and "On the Corner Where You Live," with the latter recorded in Connecticut with producer Peter Katis. They embarked on an extensive tour and were nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Music Awards.
In August 2020, the band announced their fifth studio album Roses, a collaborative album of duets. The album features Julia Stone, Lucy Rose, Rosie Carney, Aoife O'Donovan, Nadia Reid, Maro, Amanda Bergman, Ainslie Wills, Lydia Cole and Gena Rose Bruce. The album was released on 12 March 2021.
In May 2023, the Paper Kites announced the forthcoming release of their sixth studio album, At the Roadhouse, scheduled for release on 1 September 2023.
The Paper Kites' musical style has evolved over the years, incorporating elements of folk, fingerstyle guitar, harmonies, and moody soundscapes. Their versatility and influences from various genres have shaped their musical direction.
Malleable Beings
The Paper Kites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a dying grace
Though we're malleable beings,
Not enough, it seems
And don't lay tired
Knew we both would break
Though we're malleable beings
And maybe were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
We'll close our eyes
And erase our minds
Though we're malleable beings,
Not enough, it seems
And don't lay tired
Knew we both would break
Though we're malleable beings,
Not enough, it seems
And maybe were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
And maybe were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
The Paper Kites' song Malleable Beings is a melancholic composition that sheds light on the fragility of human relationships. The lyrics are deep and insightful, and they express how human beings are vulnerable to the inevitability of time and change. The first stanza of the song highlights this theme, as the singer reflects on falling and breaking with a dying grace. The phrase "malleable beings" refers to human beings' ability to adapt and change, but it also points out how this trait is not enough to prevent our eventual fall.
The second stanza depicts a relationship that is coming to an end, and the characters are resigned to their fate. They realize that they have pushed the limits of their relationship and that it is no longer tenable. The phrase "flying far, miles away" hints that they have come to terms with their reality and are ready to move on.
The chorus reiterates the idea that we are fragile and temporary creatures. The singer acknowledges that they might have been wrong to let the relationship fade away, but they also recognize that it was inevitable. In the end, they choose to close their eyes and erase their minds, maybe as a way of coping with their loss.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of acceptance of the complexities of human relationships. The Paper Kites paint us as malleable beings, capable of change and adaptation, but still subject to the laws of nature and time.
Line by Line Meaning
We fell this time
We failed this time
With a dying grace
We failed gracefully
Though we're malleable beings,
Not enough, it seems
We are adaptable creatures but even our adaptability was not sufficient this time
And don't lay tired
Knew we both would break
We knew we would both eventually give up
And maybe were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
Perhaps we made a mistake by holding on to this relationship for so long knowing our impermanence and vulnerability, now we are drifting apart physically and emotionally
We'll close our eyes
And erase our minds
Though we're malleable beings,
Not enough, it seems
We will try to forget everything, even though humans have the ability to adapt, sometimes it just isn't enough
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@youtubeyoutubeyoutube9961
We fell this time
With a dying grace
Though we're malleable beings, not enough it seems
And don't lay tired
Knew we both would break
Though we're malleable beings, not enough it seems
And maybe we were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
We'll close our eyes
And erase our minds
Though we're malleable beings, not enough it seems
And don't lay tired
Knew we both would break
Though we're malleable beings, not enough it seems
And maybe we were wrong to let it go
Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long
We were only dust and fragile clay
Flying far, miles away
@FunnyFany
Don't lay tired.
Some things just aren't meant to be. Take your time, it's hard. Mourn. Then, get up and move on.
We're malleable beings, enough to be able to go through great distress. Somethings might break us, but we can choose to keep going despite the damage.
So mourn. We knew we both would break. But don't give up just yet. That's a breaking point nobody will ever be able to ever fix.
Don't lay tired.
@christineorigenes6669
To people I knew:
There are days when I just want to disappear; see if you’d notice. Of course you would, but it probably wouldn’t be the same reason that I’d want to be remembered for. Oh well. I don’t expect much, but my hope, it betrays what little expectations I’ve put upon my own shoulders. My words hold no water, of course. After all, they aren’t from someone you’d expect. When I go, all I ever will be is a memory. Sorrow would be flavor of the month and then and will bite the dust.
To death:
The funny thing about wanting to go six feet under is that you’d have spent countless hours rehashing every option available on how to proceed with your grand exit. It could go like any other day, maybe you’d be eating your childhood comfort food, a fond gesture of saying “go fuck yourself”, innocence.
To life:
Maybe this is just a break up letter. I’m so angry. I loathe you for making me weak and numb. You’ve shown me bitterness, anger, hatred, love, disappointment, hope, failure, success, fear, frustration. You’ve shown me true ugliness. You had it coming, you know sooner or later I’d hate you. You took something pure, and for that unforgivable crime I’d wear my sentiment on my sleeve. I took a beating, hoping that you’d change for the better, but you never.
c.a.o
@ThinkBuildEnjoy
Going down a street at night, no cars just me on my bike listening to this with headphones, going so fast with the rain and wind hitting my face. It was, I'll never forget it.
@DanielZander44
Thanks for that Randy....those were some pretty savage lyrics
@josilyngarcia9823
:')
@sammariofan
i think this is one of the most beautiful bands of our time. their music is absolutely amazing.
@SaltnLight713
Samescape totally agreed!
@IBeAKittyRawr
This has gotten me though life, when no one was around to help. When no one understood what I felt, when I thought life was not worth living for. However, this band some how through its soothing sounds, convinced me wrong. It became my friend, my true friend because music is beautiful like that. It will never turn its back against you. Music is the type of therapy that actual helps you. This band is perfection. Pure perfection.
@peaceful_lights8006
♥
@ThatCSaw
I can't sleep. My life is pretty hectic at this point in my life. I'm only nineteen soon to be twenty in a matter of weeks. I'm living on my own and struggling to make ends meet. I'm a full time student and I work a full time job. Sometimes, I need to listen to this band and I feel better when I'm listening to any of their songs. It gives me strength. Anyway, I love this song. Always good to listen to when your down.
@quaintmee7
the future holds something better. never give up~~
@NuclearChicken1000
Don't give up, you're a rare human being and you will make it through.