We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Paper Boats

by Ed Woltil

supported by
ConRadio
ConRadio thumbnail
ricksrecordspodcast
ricksrecordspodcast thumbnail
Francesc Sole
Francesc Sole thumbnail
Richard M. Wolff
Richard M. Wolff thumbnail
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown thumbnail
davekrr
davekrr thumbnail
jeff kisseloff
jeff kisseloff thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Hold it in your hands...turn it over and read the back, or open it up and read the credits! Remove the disc from its sleeve and pop it into your car stereo...if you're more the tactile type and like real objects, own your own copy. Nicely packaged in a matte-finished digipak sleeve.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Paper Boats via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD or more 

     

1.
Algebra 03:42
lyrics
buy track
Everything is algebra, algebra, algebra Everything is algebra but life gets in the way All the world is x and y the answer works out every time but I keep searching for some sign to get to point b from point a. Everything is algebra, algebra, algebra All of life is algebra, but hearts get in the way Sorting through the plans I plotted every factor in its slot, except the promises that I forgot to keep along the way. Everything is algebra, algebra, algebra Everything is algebra but words get in the way Rows and rows of fingers and toes don’t add up any which way and if the answer’s up to me then all we can do is pray. All the world is algebra, but we get in the way. Line by line your equation looks fine until I lurch into the fray… If anyone can break algebra count on me to lead the way. Algebra is greek to me but your blue eyes, they speak to me… If algebra really is the key, well, then who am I to say? I guess everything’s OK. Everything is algebra, algebra, algebra All of life is algebra but we get in our own way.
2.
Random Access Memory 04:26
lyrics
buy track
Sweetest memories from out of nowhere breeze across my mind’s eye Halcyon summer sky. Back to present tense, I clench my teeth against the wind and the ice, reveries put to flight. I may nod and smile, but I want to cry and I’ll be the one laughing at the funeral I’m a random access memory kind of guy. That momentous day, the grand occasion you want me to recall, I can’t replay at all. But what’s crystal clear is sitting near you on the river one night counting the fireflies. Ask me when it was; well now, let me see… please don’t ask me where, don’t interrogate me I’m a random access memory casualty. A quarrel from years ago still rattling round my head but I can’t for the life of me remember what you just said what was it you just said, I can’t get it through my head. In a cheering crowd, I stand and stare I was just elsewhere momentarily my random access memory caught me on the fly. I’m a random access memory kind of guy.
3.
Hiding in Plain Sight 03:15
lyrics
buy track
In 1’s and 0’s the data flows this is how we roll. In an endless freefall zone I feel so alone with my old dumbphone Grant me cyber grace I’m falling through space floating at the speed of light We are everywhere and barely there hiding in plain sight. Lost and found, the network's down how do we connect? Can you peek beneath the lid Read my face in lights winking on the grid Here in cyberspace I’ve fallen from grace floating at the speed of light I am everywhere and barely there hiding in plain sight. We had twin dreams and we woke up afraid midstream two thousand miles in between. Sending password prayers in bits through the air streaming homeward in their flight We are everywhere and virtually nowhere ever hiding in plain sight.
4.
If Somebody Loved Me 04:11
lyrics
buy track
I see you walk on air humming without a care I recognize that look about you. And I know what you’re feeling ‘cause I’ve felt it, too. Notice my past is tense, your heart was on the fence now I’m left behind to puzzle it through and my heart is still reeling though I should pursue Someone who loves me like I love you Someone who loves me like I love you Someone who loves me like I love you now I know the price of buying into a dream that never can come true. Pardon my long dog face You tried to leave no trace but it’s all too plainly written in view and I don’t have the power to hide it from you. I hope that I could show more common sympathy for an old friend whose heart has started to unglue even if that someone should turn out to be you someday, too. If somebody loved me like I love you If somebody loved me like I love you If somebody loved me like I love you I hope that I could forget you someday and stop clinging to these hopes of one day drowning out the voice of reason hounding me to this self-treason haunting, wanting you… Someone who loves me like I love you Someone who loves me like I love you Someone who loves me like I love you now I know the price of buying into a dream that never can come true. now I know the price of buying into a dream that never can come true.
5.
Someone Else's Life 03:37
lyrics
buy track
I woke up this morning haunted by a dream of an honest man without a plan or a scheme Can I be candid? I’m stranded in someone else’s life. I rushed to the bathroom, looked myself in the eye; the mirror was no clearer to help me see this guy Woke from a dream into a dream of someone else’s life. Hey, Mr. Postman, there’s no forwarding address for the man who’s been replaced by this disgraceful hot mess My crystal ball is muddy so the rest is anybody’s best guess. Life is a mystery, a clue or two at best and sometimes we play our cards too close to the vest I guess I’m folding, I’ve been sold into someone else’s life Those dreams of one day finding fortune and fame all on my own fine terms, not playing anyone’s game they fade into Monday in the din of dingy corporate shame. Old dog, new tricks, I’ll tread water somehow Long haul, quick fix, feet don’t fail me now Well, how did I get here, livin’ someone else’s life? While I wasn’t watching, I failed to see I turned into who I pretended to be The ruse has cost me, I’m lost in someone else’s life. And when at last the fateful day does arise and the whole tableau goes passing before my eyes— hey, something’s wrong here… that’s somebody else’s life. I don’t belong here… driven to the edge and wedged into someone else’s life.
6.
Illinois Sunset 04:20
lyrics
buy track
Love is a place; in the dream we are standing face to face. Do we dare hope it’s there waiting somewhere? The world is not too wide for you to step outside and find your way. Illinois sunset light up the sky and fly, little wing, fly Illinois sunset pack up your dreams and fly, little wing, fly. Love is a time; the cliché still holds sway and we are blind looking for what’s in store around the corner but when you least expect the moments to connect, your clock will chime. Illinois sunset strike up the stars and fly, little wing, fly Illinois sunset pack up your dreams and fly, little wing, fly. Goin’ down the road in a moving van just the sketch of a plan and a prayer to make this right. Suddenly you’re there in the middle of somewhere walking up a flight of stairs straight into his life. Hearts throughout time down the line pass the beat along in song. Now it’s time for you to shine, sing your life— and if it feels like time for you to fly then fly high. Illinois sunset light up the sky and fly, little wing, fly Illinois sunset pack up your dreams and fly, little wing, fly Illinois sunset strike up the stars and fly, little wing, fly little wing, fly…
7.
The One and Only Anderson 02:31
lyrics
buy track
In the morning when I rise and rub the sleep out of my eyes my little sidekick licks my face to say we’ve got a new day to chase. The one and only Anderson The one and only, the one and only one, The one and only Anderson Oooh, the one and only Anderson. He only stands about shin high not the world’s most handsome guy but he puts up with my vagaries I guess I’ll keep the little bag of fleas The one and only Anderson The one and only, the one and only one, The one and only Anderson Oooh, the one and only Anderson. We spy a rabbit on our walk and Andy barks out his warning loud and clear to let that bastard know that he’s not welcome here. We play the game where I put down his food then spring back before I lose a hand I teach him things but he just doesn’t understand Except for phrases like ‘Good boy’ or ‘Take a walk’ or ‘Get your toy’ but when I tell him to ‘Come’ or ‘Stay’ he tends to up and run away. The one and only Anderson The one and only, the one and only one, The one and only Anderson Oooh, the one and only Anderson.
8.
Open 03:42
lyrics
buy track
Everything you say, everything I do all we can imagine In between a breath, glimpse a secret path following the passion Here in the dark we lie broken wide open. Man within the boy, boy within the cell, cell inside the petri Long division trick, soul arithmetic halfway where you meet me. hope beyond hopelessly hopin’ to open. Oaths of the heart left unspoken. Fall through the dark like a token. Did I see a trace pass across your face hiding in the open? Pass protected file, coded in your smile, will the code be broken? Aimlessly, shamelessly hopin’ you’re open.
9.
The Shortest Distance (Between Two Hearts) 05:15
lyrics
buy track
Sister’s walkin’ home from work alone tryin’ to talk sense into her old cell phone and daddy’s drifted off again, ain’t been home for days. Mama shouts as she walks out the front door, late for work again, that’s just one more, and junior’s still in bed—lately he’s lost in a haze. The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts is love. Sister breaks down at the corner store counting out change, she thought she had more wonderin’ when and if she can ever rise above. Junior cuttin’ through the alleyway out of work since the beginning of May and every day feels more like push comin’ down to shove… The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts is love. Please R - E - C - E - I - V - E my love Please G - I - V - E, won’t you please, sweet love. Sister’s late out on a Friday night on the phone, crossin’ against the light never saw the taxi driver turnin’ right, slow-mo… Junior sleepin’ in an ER chair, when she comes to he wants to be right there, why does life got to be so unfair, who knows? The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts The shortest distance between two hearts is love. Please R - E - C - E - I - V - E my love Please G - I - V - E, won’t you please, sweet love.
10.
One in a Row 03:32
lyrics
buy track
I have a jar without a lid I have a jar without a lid I have a jar without a lid I can’t believe what my sister did Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no I wouldn’t mind, but that’s one in a row I have a cat with one green eye I have a cat with one green eye I have a cat with one green eye The other eye got lost in a fight Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no I wouldn’t cry, but that’s one in a row Rivers run and colors bleed Mountains peak, but what do they see? Chickens squawk, parrots talk And lemmings lead …Well, it’s just the first one and it ain’t much fun Now, I have a fence made of gingerbread I have a fence made of gingerbread I have a fence made of gingerbread the dog ate the gate and fell down dead Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no It’s more than enough, it’s just one in a row Rivers run and colors bleed Mountains peak, but what do they see? Chickens squawk, parrots talk And lemmings lead …Well, it’s just the first one and it ain’t much fun Now, I have a car with one flat tire I have a car with one flat tire It might be true that I’ve still got three but they’re really not much good to me Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no It’s just my luck, that’s one in a row.
11.
Foul Weather Friends 05:01
lyrics
buy track
Every goodbye is bittersweet until we meet again I’m bound to feel incomplete and useless until then. And I confess I’m overblessed to count you as my friend I’m quick to stress and to make a mess and slow to make amends. Tonight I slide upon thin ice, I don’t know where I stand I nod and smile and I make nice, extend the old gladhand. No one is wise to my disguise, I look OK to them But you look right into my eyes and see me as I am. We’re only as debonair as our last dumbassed pratfall in the all too public eye. We’ll weather the storm together ignore every catcall and stand up with our heads held high foul weather friends, you and I foul weather friends, you and I foul weather friends, you and I. Every goodbye is bittersweet until we meet again I’m bound to feel incomplete and useless until then. I’m quick to stress and make a mess and slow to make amends. but I’ll muddle through til I’m back with you, my fair foul weather friend, my fair foul weather friend, my fair foul weather friend. We’ll weather the storm together foul weather friends, you and I.
12.
Boys 04:28
lyrics
buy track
I’ll never breathe easy again no one to answer to, free as the wind close my eyes & count up to ten then ready or not, here I come Up with the dawn & out the door hit the ground running to see what’s in store dig up some fun, then dig up some more ‘til sinking sun sends us back home but I will run with you forever if I have my choice In our hearts, you & me, we will always be boys Barefoot brigade with bloody nose swing from a vine and we drink from a hose just where we’ve been, well, nobody knows lost episodes we’ll never tell but I will run with you forever if I have my choice In our hearts, you & me, we will always be boys Swimming in the storm running with the pack breathless through the orange grove dragging contraband in a sleeping bag I guess we’re old & it’s a drag out in the cold & left holding the bag while our kids run round playing tag screaming so free out on the lawn but I will run with you forever if I have my choice In our hearts, you & me, we will always be boys.
13.
Dance With Me One More Time 02:55
lyrics
buy track
The minute hand marches forwards beginning its midnight climb come out on the floorboards and dance with me one more time. The band is lagging and it’s past the waiter’s bedtime but we’re unflagging so dance with me one more time. The air brims with sweetness the moonlight’s sublime a nightbird is warbling in 3/4 time. Tomorrow I’m sailing for some far exotic clime and words they are failing… so dance with me one more time. Tonight is treasure so would it be such a crime to steal one last measure and dance with me one more time? Come out on the floorboards and dance with me one more time.

about

Acclaimed singer-songwriter from The Ditchflowers steps out with his melodically rich, lyrically nuanced solo debut. Music to Eat calls Paper Boats "literate and intelligent…a fresh-sounding collection of folky pop rock" and its songs "marvels of construction…each a 3 or 4 minute work of art."

The Ditchflowers have been featured on NPR's Open Mic and in Performing Songwriter magazine. Eric Snider of Creative Loafing has called their music "Exquisite…sweet, timeless pop"while Quentin B. Huff of popmatters.com wrote that "“Every song exhibits supreme musicianship and an insightful yet earthy lyricism.”

Built around Woltil's sumptuous acoustic guitar work and emotively supple voice, Paper Boats brings Woltil's writing and soulful delivery to the fore. As with his Ditchflowers work, Woltil’s McCartney-centric tendencies are in evidence, but many of the songs here also hearken to American influences such as Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson and Jimmy Webb. Rounding out the 12 new songs to a baker’s dozen is a fresh take on an old Ditchflowers favorite, Boys from Carried Away.

credits

released February 20, 2014

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ed Woltil image

Ed Woltil St. Petersburg, Florida

contact / help

Contact Ed Woltil

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Ed Woltil, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now