Paper Houses

Sidney's 'Paper Houses' is a poignant exploration of vulnerability, fear, and the struggle to maintain stability in a fragile world. The metaphor of 'paper houses' serves as a powerful symbol for the delicate and precarious nature of the structures we build in our lives, whether they be relationships, dreams, or personal achievements. The repeated line 'I don't know how to build no paper houses, without them falling down' underscores the artist's sense of inadequacy and the inevitability of failure when trying to create something lasting out of fragile materials.

The song delves into the duality of feeling like a hero while simultaneously recognizing the need for a villain, highlighting the complexity of human emotions and the internal conflicts we face. Sidney's admission of having 'only friends' instead of adversaries suggests a life devoid of the dramatic tension that often propels us forward, leaving the artist in a state of inertia. This is further emphasized by the recurring fear of fire, a metaphor for the destructive forces that threaten to consume the fragile 'paper houses' and dreams.

The imagery of building a sunroof for planes to see from miles away introduces a sense of aspiration and the desire for a broader perspective. However, the line 'with wings you don't need to fall' juxtaposes this aspiration with the reality that even with the ability to soar, there is still a fear of falling. The song's chorus, with its haunting repetition of being 'scared of fire' and 'scared of dreaming,' encapsulates the artist's internal struggle between the desire to dream and the fear of the potential consequences. Sidney's 'Paper Houses' ultimately paints a vivid picture of the delicate balance between hope and fear, and the challenge of maintaining one's breath in the darkness of uncertainty.