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.
Willow Tree March
The Paper Kites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you pray with your knees on the ground
For the things that you need
With your lust and your greed weighing down
And you weaken your love
And you hold it above your head
Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your bed
Yeah we all still die
What will you leave behind?
Oh we all still die
You fall through the trees
And you pray with your knees on the ground
For the things that you need
With your lust and your greed weighing down
And you weaken your love
And you hold it above your head
Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your bed
And we all still die
Yeah we all still die
What will you leave behind?
Oh we all still die
Marching away from the stream
This tree it will die without leaves
Marching away from the stream
This tree it will die without leaves
This tree it will die
This tree it will die
And we all still die
Yeah we all still die
What will you leave behind?
Oh we all still die
And we all still die
Yeah we all still die
What will you leave behind?
Oh we all still die
The Paper Kites's song, Willow Tree March, is a poignant reflection of the human experience and the impact our actions have on ourselves and the world around us. The lyrics evoke a sense of contemplation and introspection as the singer reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. The repeated lines "we all still die" serve as a reminder that our time on earth is limited, and what truly matters is what we leave behind.
The opening lines "You fall through the trees, and you pray with your knees on the ground" suggest a sense of desperation and vulnerability, as the singer reaches for something beyond themselves. The reference to lust and greed indicates the struggle between material desires and more profound emotional connections. The line "Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your bed" highlights the idea that external validation cannot replace true inner fulfillment.
The chorus repeats the idea that no matter what we achieve or accumulate in life, death is inevitable. The final lines "Marching away from the stream, this tree it will die without leaves" further emphasize the transient nature of life, and the importance of living in a way that enhances the world around us.
Overall, Willow Tree March explores the human experience in a deeply personal and reflective way. The lyrics are rich in meaning and have the power to resonate with listeners on a profound level.
Line by Line Meaning
You fall through the trees
Your journey through life is like falling through treetops
And you pray with your knees on the ground
You ask for what you need from a higher power
For the things that you need
You seek what you desire, not simply what you need
With your lust and your greed weighing down
Your desires and greed can weigh you down
And you weaken your love
You put love secondary to your desires and greed
And you hold it above your head
You put success above your love
Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your bed
True success comes from following your heart, not focusing on material success
And we all still die
Death is inevitable for everyone
What will you leave behind?
What is your legacy?
Marching away from the stream
Moving away from the path of life
This tree it will die without leaves
A life without purpose and growth is meaningless
This tree it will die
Life without growth and purpose can be lifeless
Oh we all still die
A reminder of the inevitability of death
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID POWYS, SAMUEL BENTLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind