Paper Sun

Traffic, Steve Winwood

About Paper Sun

"Paper Sun" was the British band Traffic's debut single, released in May 1967. It was a number 5 hit in the United Kingdom, number 4 in Canada, and peaked at number 70 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart in the United States. The song is famous for its time-typical sitar riff, played by Dave Mason, and its vocals by composer Steve Winwood. It was also released in an edited version on the U. S. version of the band's debut album, Mr. Fantasy (briefly re-titled Heaven Is in Your Mind). The single's B-side, "Giving to You", features an opening vocal section with lyrics sung by Winwood. The original B-side version was later released as a bonus track on a CD reissue of Mr. Fantasy. The song was later issued in a modified version (4:20) on Mr. Fantasy. The album version begins and ends with overdubbed spoken parts (probably by Chris Wood). The song appeared on the soundtrack of the 2010 British film Made in Dagenham. 


Year:
2007
4:15
58 

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So you think you're having good times
With the boy that you just met
Kicking sand from beach to beach
Your clothes are soaking wet
But if you look around and see
A shadow on the run (on the run)
Don't be too upset because it's just a paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

In the room where you've been sleeping
All our clothes are thrown about
Cigarettes burn window sills
Your meter's all run out
But there again it's nothing
You just split when day is done (day is gone)
Hitching lifts to nowhere, hung up on the paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

Standing in the cool of my room
Fresh cut flowers give me sweet perfume (too much sun will burn)
Too much sun will burn (too much sun will burn)
Too much sun will burn

When you're feeling tired and lonely
You see people going home
You can't make the train fare
Or the sixpence for the phone
And icicles you're crying
Down your cheek have just begun
Don't be sad, good times are had
Beneath the paper sun

Ah paper sun, ah paper sun

Daylight breaks while you sleep on the sand
A seagull is stealing the ring from your hand
The boy who had given you so much fun
Has left you so cold in the paper sun
In the paper sun, in the paper sun, in the paper sun, in the paper sun

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Traffic

Traffic were an English rock band, formed in Birmingham. The group was formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason. They began as a psychedelic rock group and diversified their sound through the use of instruments such as keyboards like the Mellotron and harpsichord, sitar, and various reed instruments, and by incorporating jazz and improvisational techniques in their music. Their first three singles were "Paper Sun", "Hole in My Shoe", and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush". more »

5 fans

Written by: JIM CAPALDI, STEVE WINWOOD

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, T.R.O. INC., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Paper Sun" was the debut single by the band Traffic, which Steve Winwood co-founded in 1967, after leaving the Spencer Davis Group.
Release Date
"Paper Sun" was released in May 1967 and it marked the start of the band's successful music journey.
Concept Design
The song is recognized as a central part of the psychedelic music era. It was inspired by the "Summer of Love" and is known for its distinctive use of the sitar, an Indian stringed instrument.
Chart Performance
"Paper Sun" reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart and did well internationally, hitting number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Songwriting
"Paper Sun" was written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi, who later became well-known for their songwriting collaboration within Traffic.
Album
Despite being Traffic's first single, "Paper Sun" was not included on the UK version of their first album. However, it was featured on the American version of the album "Mr. Fantasy."
Music Video
The song's surrealistic music video was aired on the first edition of the influential BBC TV music show, Top of the Pops, in July 1967.
Sound Influence
The sitar on "Paper Sun" was played by Dave Mason, and the combination of sitar and rock marked a distinctive sound that made Traffic famous.
Legacy
The song is considered iconic and has been covered by various artists over the years. It is also frequently used in film soundtracks and commercials.

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    Paper Sun

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1967

    Billboard #94


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