papercuts by Machine Gun Kelly Lyrics Meaning – Navigating Raw Emotions Behind the Rebellion
Lyrics
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them, but they got us
Yeah, yeah, uh
Uh, sleepin’ in, faked sick
Smoked a blunt, had a kid
Don’t belong, I’m a punk
Hello world, you fucking suck
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I’m dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Everybody’s so nice lately
(Everybody’s not nice)
Polarized feelings, I don’t wear them on my face lately
(I don’t wear them on my face)
Internalized everything the headlines say lately
(Everything they say)
Demonized just because I was a angel face baby
(Baby)
(Career suicide)
Hey, hey
Keep my mouth shut and wave
Hey, hey
I’m dancing on my grave
Mm
Mm
Bleach my hair, mess it up
Take my life, dress it up
Signed a deal, I got papercuts
They wanted them but they got us
But they got us
Yeah, yeah
Hey
Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘papercuts’ is a lyrical conundrum, a foray into the psyche of an artist who’s walked the tightrope between mainstream success and the anarchic spirit of punk rock. Much like a canvas splattered with divergent hues of passion and pain, ‘papercuts’ frames a specific zeitgeist in Kelly’s career, presenting a personal narrative as raw as it is relatable.
Beneath the seemingly aggressive soundscape, ‘papercuts’ is a wellspring of vulnerability, a venting session that breaks the mold of traditional rockstar braggadocio. In a gust of angst, melody, and metaphor, Machine Gun Kelly peels back layers of fame to expose the personal toll of living in the limelight and the contradictions that accompany a life made public.
Shearing Locks and Tattered Edges: The Significance Behind the Title
The imagery of ‘bleach my hair, mess it up’ sets the stage for a transformation that’s both aesthetic and symbolic. Hair, often a means of self-expression, becomes a metaphor for change – a rebellion against his own image. When Machine Gun Kelly speaks of ‘papercuts’, it’s not the sting of minor wounds but the cumulative lacerations caused by pressure, contracts, commitments, and the relentless scrutiny of the public eye.
In this song, ‘signing a deal’ and obtaining ‘papercuts’ provide critical commentary on the music industry, where artistic integrity is often a casualty of commercial success. For an artist like Machine Gun Kelly, who began in hip-hop and transitioned into the punk scene, these cuts represent the constant tension between creative freedom and industry expectations.
Rebel Without a Cause or With Too Many?
‘Don’t belong, I’m a punk, Hello world, you fucking suck’ – in these lines, Kelly nurtures the anti-establishment ethos inherent to punk culture. The song is an anthem for the disaffected, for those who feel ensnared by the societal norms they’re forced to navigate. It’s an exorcism of silent discontent, challenging a world that Machine Gun Kelly views as oppressive and disillusioned.
By claiming that he’s ‘dancing on [his] grave’, Kelly underlines a strident disregard for mortality – or, conversely, an embrace of what may come after the death of one’s former identity. The notion of the ‘grave’ could signify the burial of his past self, a proclamation of rebirth and an embodiment of a new artistic spirit.
Stripping the Angel Wings: The Illusion of Innocence
‘Demonized just because I was an angel face baby’ is a poignant reflection on the duality of public persona versus private reality. MGK alludes to his evolution from innocent beginnings to a more complex, often misjudged individual. The line suggests an awareness of how quickly society’s darlings can become its devils, seemingly overnight, in the whiplash of fame’s fickleness.
The phrase ‘career suicide’ that follows the aforementioned line is a chilling acknowledgment that speaking out against the very hand that feeds you in the industry often has dire consequences. Yet, in ‘papercuts’, there’s an air of defiance, a suggestion that the artist is willing to martyr his public perception for the sake of his personal truths.
Picking Scabs of Past Mistakes
The repeated mentions of lifestyle choices such as ‘smoked a blunt, had a kid’ frame an individual confronting their past actions, while the somber tonality suggests a reconciliation with the irreversible nature of such choices. MGK offers a glimpse into the private struggles that come with frequent missteps under the watchful gaze of an unsympathetic public.
These lyrics resonate with anyone grappling with life’s imperfections, illustrating that even those who climb to the highest echelons of fame are not immune to the messiness of human experience. ‘papercuts’ captivates listeners with its blend of confession and brashness, constructing a space where vulnerability and rebellion collide.
The Crisis of Praise and Paranoia
‘Everybody’s so nice lately (Everybody’s not nice)’ distills the paranoia that can haunt someone trapped in the spotlight. The duplicity of outward niceties conceals a cutthroat reality within the music industry. Here, MGK voices the inherent distrust that can develop when every compliment feels double-edged, every handshake a potential setup for betrayal.
MGK echoes the thoughts of anyone who has ever grappled with the dissonance between how they are perceived and who they are. In doing so, ‘papercuts’ transcends being a mere song; it becomes an encapsulation of celebrity ennui—a public diary entry outlining the existential disquiet of living on display.
