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.
Standing In The Rain
The Paper Kites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break my bones then I praise the pain
Don't take shelter stand in the rain
It's meant to feel that way
Tired from all those things that you take
Always fighting keeps you awake
Crying when your heart seems to break
Hiding 'til you're numb and you're grey
That's no way to try win the day
Life wants you to feel it is here
It's meant to feel that way
It's meant to feel that way
It's meant to feel that way
The Paper Kites’ Standing in the Rain is a poignant song about feeling overwhelmed and trying to come to terms with it. The first verse tackles the idea of pain and its peculiar attraction – something that some people may find hard to comprehend. The singer tries to understand the pull of pain, thinking that perhaps experiencing it will lead to a breakthrough. However, he soon realizes that it doesn’t work that way, and sometimes we need to weather the storm instead of seeking shelter from it. In the second verse, he speaks about the feeling of exhaustion that arises from constant battles. He describes how pain can make someone feel vulnerable and how it is necessary to embrace these feelings rather than hiding from them. The chorus resounds with the message that life is meant to be felt; it is meant to be lived through the good and the bad times.
Standing in the Rain is a song that tackles heavy themes like pain and vulnerability, but it does so in a way that is touching and introspective. The lyrics and melody are simple but effective, and make the listener reflect on their own struggles. The song might be interpreted in different ways, but a common theme is that sometimes experiencing feelings of pain or vulnerability is integral to growth and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried to see what it means to say
Attempting to comprehend the purpose of existence
Break my bones then I praise the pain
Embracing suffering as an essential component of personal growth
Don't take shelter stand in the rain
Facing adversity head-on rather than avoiding it
It's meant to feel that way
Accepting the inevitability of struggle and discomfort in life
Tired from all those things that you take
Overwhelmed by the burdens of life
Always fighting keeps you awake
The constant struggle of life is exhausting
Crying when your heart seems to break
Emotional pain is a natural response to difficult experiences
Hiding 'til you're numb and you're grey
Withdrawing from life's challenges can lead to emotional numbness
That's no way to try win the day
Avoiding life's obstacles will not lead to success
Life wants you to feel it is here
Acknowledging the presence and impact of life's challenges
It's meant to feel that way
Reiterating the acceptance of life's inherent struggles
It's meant to feel that way
Echoing the theme of the song that life's hardships are a necessary part of growth and self-discovery
Writer(s): Samuel Bentley
Contributed by Madelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.