papercuts

Machine Gun Kelly's song 'papercuts' delves into the complexities of fame, identity, and the internal battles that come with public scrutiny. The opening lines, 'Bleach my hair, mess it up / Take my life, dress it up,' suggest a transformation or a facade that the artist feels compelled to maintain. This could be a metaphor for the way celebrities often have to alter their true selves to fit public expectations. The phrase 'Signed a deal, I got papercuts' poignantly captures the small but painful sacrifices and compromises that come with signing a record deal, symbolizing the superficial wounds that accumulate over time in the music industry.

The lyrics 'Sleepin' in, faked sick / Smoked a blunt, had a kid / Don't belong, I'm a punk / Hello world, you fuckin' suck' reflect a sense of disillusionment and rebellion. MGK portrays himself as an outsider who doesn't fit into societal norms, emphasizing his punk rock ethos. The line 'Hello world, you fuckin' suck' is a raw expression of his frustration with the world, possibly hinting at the pressures and criticisms he faces.

The chorus, 'Hey, hey, keep my mouth shut and wave / Hey, hey, I'm dancin' on my grave,' reveals a sense of resignation and defiance. MGK feels the need to stay silent and conform ('keep my mouth shut and wave'), yet he also embraces a nihilistic attitude ('I'm dancin' on my grave'), suggesting that he is aware of the self-destructive path he is on but chooses to face it head-on. The repeated theme of 'papercuts' throughout the song underscores the idea of enduring small, persistent pains that come with fame and the music industry.

In the verse 'Everybody's so nice lately (everybody's not nice) / Polarized feelings, I don't wear them on my face lately,' MGK touches on the superficiality and hypocrisy he perceives in the people around him. He internalizes his emotions and the negative headlines, feeling demonized despite his innocent beginnings ('Demonized just because I was an ángel face baby'). This line encapsulates the transformation from innocence to a more hardened, cynical outlook due to the pressures of fame.

Overall, 'papercuts' is a raw and introspective look at the struggles of maintaining one's identity in the face of fame and public scrutiny. MGK uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his feelings of disillusionment, rebellion, and the small but significant pains that come with his career.