Paper Wings by Rise Against

Album: Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (2004)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This song is essentially about relationships, though some lines refer to what seems to be someone living under pressure, then overthrowing the pain. The lyrics, "that was a conversation you took nothing from, so raise your glass now and celebrate" indicate this.

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath is a voracious reader and was likely inspired by the story of Icarus, who flew too high to the sun, melting his wax wings. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Kes - Independence, VA
This is featured in the 2004 racing game Burnout 3: Takedown. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Airk - Skagway, AK
"Paper Wings" is part of Rise Against's album Siren Song Of The Counter Culture, their first on a major label (Geffen). Many of the songs, including the title track, deal with current events and politics, but this one is about interpersonal relationships.

Comments: 4

Shifty from Asbury Park, NjExcept Tim McIlrath didn't write this, did he? I thought this was Chris Chasse's song.
Song from Mexico, Althis is my interprertaaatinon of this song.

"One last thing I beg you please, just before you go, i've watched you fly on paper wings halfway around the world into they burnt up in the atmosphe...."( sounds like someone who hasnt reched ther full potentiol and can do better.)

"swing for the fences son..." ( the conversation "swing for the fences son" could be saying do as much or the best you could. "that was a conversation..." sying you didnt take anytrhing from that and didnt do all you could so "raise youre glass" like look how well you did(sarcasm)

"you can catch up with yourself if you run.."( you can still do something if you try hard enough)

"thers a train leaving town in an hour.." can mean thers an open oppurtunity you can take, dont just sit aroundwating time go for that oppurtunity.)

"is this the life that you lead..." (are you doing what you can and living up to your potential?)"will you take the road..." ( will you take the oppurtunity?)

the other lyrics sound like the other person in a relationship, this song could be about doing whats best for you or taking any kind of oppurtunity.

The band name RISE AGAINST fits the theme to the song of rising againstabove the situation(the smart thing to do), a very good msesage.

above the situation like any smart person would
Song from Mexico, Althis is my interprertaaatinon of this song.

"One last thing I beg you please, just before you go, i've watched you fly on paper wings halfway around the world into they burnt up in the atmosphe...."( sounds like someone who hasnt reched ther full potentiol and can do better.)

"swing for the fences son..." ( the conversation "swing for the fences son" could be saying do as much or the best you could. "that was a conversation..." sying you didnt take anytrhing from that and didnt do all you could so "raise youre glass" like look how well you did(sarcasm)

"you can catch up with yourself if you run.."( you can still do something if you try hard enough)

"thers a train leaving town in an hour.." can mean thers an open oppurtunity you can take, dont just sit aroundwating time go for that oppurtunity.)

"is this the life that you lead..." (are you doing what you can and living up to your potential?)"will you take the road..." ( will you take the oppurtunity?)

the other lyrics sound like the other person in a relationship, this song could be about doing whats best for you or taking any kind of oppurtunity.

The band name RISE AGAINST fits the theme to the song of rising againstabove the situation(the smart thing to do), a very good msesage.

above the situation like any smart person would
Adam from Yarmouth, MeNice song guitar is great!

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Don't Tell MeMadonna

Madonna's hit "Don't Tell Me" was written by her brother-in-law, Joe Henry, who has produced albums by Hugh Laurie and Bonnie Raitt.

DaughterPearl Jam

When Pearl Jam plays "Daughter" live, they usually extend the ending so Eddie Vedder can improvise, saying or singing whatever is on his mind.

StayLisa Loeb

"Stay" by Lisa Loeb was the first #1 hit by an unsigned artist. It got a boost from Ethan Hawke, who got it into a movie he starred in called Reality Bites.