Paper Shoes by Incubus Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Emotional Tapestry of Letting Go

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Incubus's Paper Shoes at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I fly
I soar
This I adore

And then like a locomotive
The sound of your sorrow comes
I’m tired of the way that it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
But I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater
I’d rather be alone
You’re about as reliable as paper shoes in bad weather
But pain will roll off like water on feathers

You fly
You soar

And then like a locomotive
The sound of your sorrow comes
I’m tired of the way that it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
But I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater
I’d rather be on my own
You’re about as reliable as paper shoes in bad weather
But pain will roll off like water on feathers

I’m tired of the way that it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater
I’d rather be alone
You’re about as reliable as paper shoes in bad weather
But pain will roll off like water on feathers

Incubus, the band known for its ability to blend alternative rock with nuanced emotional exploration, gifts us with ‘Paper Shoes’, a track that reverberates with raw introspection. Through its poetic lyrics, ‘Paper Shoes’ serves as more than just a melodic experience; it’s a profound journey through the pain of detachment and the liberation in self-discovery.

The lyrics of ‘Paper Shoes’ are layered with metaphor, each verse peeling back the complexities of relational dynamics and personal growth. As we carefully examine its narrative fabric, we reveal the intricacies and the often-overlooked depth that Incubus infuses into their music.

A Flight of Freedom: The Pursuit of Self in ‘Paper Shoes’

The song opens with a declaration of flight and soaring, a metaphor for freedom and escape from confines. Through this imagery, Incubus suggests a yearning for elevation above one’s current state, implying there is something below that is restraining and inadequate. It paints the emotional landscape of a person determined to leave behind the gravity of their troubles.

However, this flight is not without its counterforce—the ‘sound of your sorrow’ that hits like a ‘locomotive’. This juxtaposition of the opening freedom with the incoming sorrow lays bare the struggle between seeking solace and being confronted by the lingering connections to past afflictions.

‘You’re about as reliable as paper shoes’: The Fragility of Trust

The central metaphor of ‘Paper Shoes’ speaks volumes about the vulnerability and instability in the bonds we make. Paper shoes, by their very nature, are ill-suited to protect and serve their purpose. Thus, when Incubus likens the reliability of the other to paper shoes in bad weather, it points to the root issue—a foundation so fragile it cannot withstand the storms of life.

This metaphor speaks to a universal human experience of disappointment, of placing trust in something that ultimately lets us down. It’s an acknowledgement of the need to seek stronger footing, to surround oneself with reliability and strength rather than something as ephemeral as paper shoes.

The Horsehair Sweater Syndrome: Outgrowing the Uncomfortable Past

The curious reference to a ‘horsehair sweater’ serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it represents an outdated form of comfort, perhaps an old relationship or a coping mechanism. It’s itchy and uncomfortable, echoing the dissatisfaction that can arise from things that no longer fit our lives.

Secondly, the act of outgrowing the horsehair sweater is a powerful declaration of personal growth. There comes a time when we must shed our old skins, our old protections, no matter how familiar they may feel. Incubus masterfully encapsulates the uncomfortable, yet necessary, evolution we undergo as individuals.

Water on Feathers: The Fluidity of Healing in ‘Paper Shoes’

One cannot ignore the repeated line that ‘pain will roll off like water on feathers’. This simile offers a salve to the raw wounds exposed throughout the song, imbuing it with a promise that suffering is not permanent—it can be as fleeting as water slipping off a bird’s back.

This naturalistic imagery reinforces the theme of resilience, suggesting that just as birds weather storms with feathers unscathed, so too can we emerge from emotional struggles with our capacity for joy intact. It’s a subtle, yet poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit.

The Hidden Resonance in ‘Paper Shoes’: A Deep Dive into the Subtext

Beyond the images of ephemeral footwear and avian resilience, ‘Paper Shoes’ carries a deeper meaning about the complexity of human connection. The repetitive structure of the song, with its cyclical return to sorrow and yearning for individuality, reflects the often circular path of emotional growth.

As we delve into the subtext, it becomes clear that Incubus is not merely singing about a single failed relationship or moment of clarity, but rather commenting on the cumulative nature of our experiences. Each apology, each outgrown sweater, is a step on a never-ending staircase towards self-awareness and authenticity.