The band's first record, Fatboy (1992), established the band as a favorite of the same 1990s scene that became popular through bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. moe. has toured with the 1997 Furthur Festival, appeared at Woodstock '99, have played in Central Park, were the opening band for The Allman Brothers and The Who, and performed at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve 2006 and 2007.
They also host the annual festival moe.down at Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. Started in 2000, the festival runs for three days and occurs every Labor Day weekend. The festival has attracted a wide variety of musical talent. Acts range from newer bands just emerging onto the scene (such as Tea Leaf Green, Nellie McKay and Raq) to big name acts and jam rock staples, such as Les Claypool, Blues Traveler, and Mike Gordon (of Phish fame); to pop rock icons, such as Leo Kottke, The Flaming Lips, The Violent Femmes; and most recently, Perry Farrell. Each year, the amount of moe.down attendees has steadily increased. moe.down I attracted around 3,000 people while moe.down VI in 2005, had attracted close to 7,000.
During an interview, guitarist Al Schnier was asked to describe moe. for those who have never heard their music: "It's an amalgamation of a wide variety of the history of rock, all regurgitated and recycled through the eyes, ears, hands, whatever of the guys in our band and all of that with a sense of adventure, a sense of humor, also a constant desire to push the envelope. All in this arena of taking chances, improvising live, and making things up on the spot."
Their official site can be found at www.moe.org
Paper Dragon
moe. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like an eagle in love
With your jugular vein
You're saddled a ride
You're his bitch it's alright
'Cause you get off on the pain
Empty eyes
You're powered by it
And that's your soulless side
Shifty smile
And that's your soulless side
Golden tongue
And that's your soulless side
[Chorus]
You're a paper dragon
You can never breathe fire
It'll never catch you
You're a real high flier
Useless concrete
And rusted steel
Boundless mountains
Make you his meal
Faithless stranger
Burning light
Cryin' women
No more life
You're a mercenary
And that's your soulless side
Just a gun for hire
And that's your soulless side
[Chorus]
[Repeat: x2]
Paper dragon and you'll
Never breathe fire
It'll never catch you
You're a real high flier
Useless concrete and rusted steel
Boundless mountains
Make you his next meal
The song "Paper Dragon" by moe. is a critique of the dehumanizing effect of corporate culture and the dangerous allure of power. The opening lines, "Death from above / Like an eagle in love / With your jugular vein" imply that a figure of authority is attacking, and the victim is enjoying it. The lines "Empty eyes / And a pitch black ride / You're powered by it" suggest that the victim, now submissive to this authority figure, has lost their own identity, and is now only motivated by a desire to please their superior.
The chorus of the song, "You're a paper dragon / You can never breathe fire / It'll never catch you / You're a real high flier / Useless concrete / And rusted steel / Boundless mountains / Make you his meal," reinforces the idea that these corporate figures are just as flimsy and powerless as a paper dragon unable to breathe fire. The lyrics also suggest that these figures have become so focused on the pursuit of power and wealth that they have lost sight of the importance of human connection and the value of a meaningful personal life.
Overall, "Paper Dragon" is a scathing critique of the corporate culture and the dangers that come with putting all of one's value into power and money. Through its provocative and introspective lyrics, the song encourages listeners to consider what truly matters in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Death from above
A fatal attack coming suddenly and unexpectedly
Like an eagle in love
An eagle, which symbolizes power, in pursuit of its desire
With your jugular vein
Aiming for the most vital part, the neck
You're saddled a ride
You're trapped and can't escape
You're his bitch it's alright
You're under someone's control, but you're okay with it
'Cause you get off on the pain
You enjoy the pain and suffering you endure
Empty eyes
Devoid of emotions or feelings
And a pitch black ride
A journey with no sight or clarity
You're powered by it
You're motivated or fueled by the darkness within you
And that's your soulless side
This is your immoral or unethical behavior
Shifty smile
A cunning or sly grin
Golden tongue
A silver tongue, or the gift of gab, which can deceive
[Chorus]
Refrain or repeating section of the song
You're a paper dragon
You seem powerful but in reality, you're weak
You can never breathe fire
You don't have the capacity to cause harm
It'll never catch you
No danger or risk will come your way
You're a real high flier
You're successful and flying high in life
Useless concrete
The man-made structures around you have no purpose
And rusted steel
The materials that once may have been strong are now decaying
Boundless mountains
The natural world around you is vast and powerful
Make you his meal
The universe is overpowering and could defeat or consume you
Faithless stranger
Someone who can't be relied upon
Burning light
A passion or desire that is overwhelming
Cryin' women
Those who can't fight for themselves or who require help
No more life
The end of something or a death
You're a mercenary
You're working for the highest bidder, without morals or loyalty
Just a gun for hire
You are only valuable for your ability to harm others
[Chorus]
Refrain or repeating section of the song
[Repeat: x2]
A directive to repeat the previous section twice
Paper dragon and you'll
You're a weak and powerless creature
Never breathe fire
You have no ability to cause harm
It'll never catch you
Nothing will ever harm or endanger you
You're a real high flier
You're successful and flying high in life
Useless concrete and rusted steel
The material world around you has no value
Boundless mountains
The powerful natural world can consume or defeat you
Make you his next meal
The universe is more powerful and can overpower you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL SCHNIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind