Paper Dolls

STOMACH BOOK's "Paper Dolls" is a haunting exploration of memory, loss, and the lingering presence of someone who has left a profound impact on the narrator's life. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with the remnants of a past relationship, where memories are likened to "paper dolls," fragile and easily torn, yet persistently present. The imagery of "haunted smiling shapes" and hearing a voice "sing in the walls" suggests a ghostly presence, emphasizing how the past continues to echo in the narrator's present.

The song delves into the complexity of emotions tied to this lingering presence. The narrator experiences a paradoxical comfort in the cold, a metaphor for the emotional numbness that accompanies loss. The shared "delusion with wine and nicotine" hints at attempts to escape reality, using substances to dull the pain and temporarily forget. Yet, despite these efforts, the memories remain, and the narrator acknowledges the inevitability of joining this ghostly presence, suggesting a deep connection that transcends physical absence.

The recurring lines about crying and laughing "about you" and "for you" highlight the duality of emotions experienced in the aftermath of loss. The dance around the room symbolizes the ongoing influence of the past, a dance with memories that the narrator cannot escape. The song captures the essence of how memories can be both a source of pain and a cherished connection to someone who is no longer physically present, illustrating the enduring impact of love and loss on the human psyche.