Paper Bag
Hunger and Heartache: Fiona Apple's Poetic Journey through Unrequited Love
Lyrics
I was staring at the sky
I was contemplating the sky.
Just looking for a star
Searching for a star to use for prayers or wishes.
To pray on or wish on or something like that
Reflecting on the futility of my desires.
I was having a sweet fix
Experiencing a pleasurable escape.
Of a daydream of a boy
Daydreaming about a boy with an unattainable reality.
Whose reality I knew was a hopeless to be had
Acknowledging the impossibility of having that boy.
But then the dove of hope began its downward slope
Hope takes a downward turn.
And I believed for a moment
Momentarily believing in improving chances.
That my chances were approaching to be grabbed
The hope diminishes as reality sets in.
But as it came down near
Close proximity raises expectations.
So did a weary tear
Disappointment follows the close encounter.
I thought it was a bird but it was just a paper bag
Mistaking a falling paper bag for a bird.
Hunger hurts and I want him so bad, oh it kills
Intense longing causes emotional pain.
'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't want to clean up
Acknowledging personal flaws that deter love.
I've got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold
Recognizing personal limitations in relationships.
Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love
Choosing to endure hunger rather than the cost of love.
And I went crazy again today
Experiencing emotional turmoil in the search for hope.
Looking for a strand to climb
Seeking a lifeline amidst difficulties.
Looking for a little hope
Desiring a glimmer of hope.
Baby said he couldn't stay
Being told that a loved one cannot stay.
Wouldn't put his lips to mine
Failed attempts at intimacy as a coping mechanism.
A fail to kiss is a fail to cope
Failed kisses lead to a failure in coping.
I said "honey, I don't feel so good
Expressing physical and emotional discomfort.
Don't feel justified
Feeling unjustified and unwell.
Come on put a little love here in my void"
Pleading for love to fill an emotional void.
He said "it's all in your head"
Receiving dismissal, being told it's a mental creation.
And I said "so's everything" but he didn't get it
Asserting that everything is in the mind.
I thought he was a man but he was just a little boy
Realizing a man is just a boy.
Hunger hurts and I want him so bad, oh it kills
Intense longing persists despite the pain.
'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't want to clean up
Acknowledging personal shortcomings in relationships.
I've got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold
Recognizing personal limitations in holding onto love.
Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love
Choosing starvation over the emotional cost of love.
Hunger hurts but I want him so bad, oh it kills
Intense longing persists, despite the emotional toll.
'Cause I know I'm a mess that he don't want to clean up
Accepting personal flaws that hinder love.
I've got to fold because these hands are just too shaky to hold
Recognizing personal limitations in holding onto love.
Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love
Choosing starvation over the emotional cost of love.
Hunger hurts but I want him so bad, oh it kills
Intense longing persists despite the pain.
Because I know that I'm a mess he don't want to clean up
Acknowledging personal flaws that deter love.
I've got to fold 'cause these hands are just too shaky to hold
Recognizing personal limitations in relationships.
Hunger hurts but starving, it works when it costs too much to love
Choosing starvation over the emotional cost of love.
Mm-mm
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