Paper Crown by Homemade Shine
Paper Crown
Verse 1
Gold paint dripping off a plastic throne
Flashbulbs popping, but I’m all alone
They clap so loud when the lights come on
Disappear when the money’s gone
Every smile feels rented now
Every handshake’s a silent vow
Pre-Chorus
They say, “Stay humble,” but they bow
Funny how fast they change somehow
Chorus
I wear a paper crown, looks solid from afar
Folded out of headlines and borrowed stars
One bad wind, one honest sound
And it all falls down—this paper crown
They cheer my name, then tear me down
Love me loud, don’t stick around
I stand tall till the truth comes out
I’m king for now in a paper crown
(Paper crown)
Verse 2
Mirrors lie when you dress them right
Champagne dreams every lonely night
I learned applause don’t mean a thing
When silence is the heaviest ring
Built a throne from praise and fear
Didn’t notice the cracks appear
Pre-Chorus
Success is loud, but it don’t stay
It packs its bags and slips away
Chorus
I wear a paper crown, cut clean and thin
Sharp on the edges where doubt creeps in
One bad wind, one honest sound
And it all falls down—this paper crown
They raise me up just to watch me drown
Pass the blame when I don’t rebound
I stand tall till the truth comes out
I’m king for now in a paper crown
(Paper crown)
Bridge
If I lose it all, will they know my name?
Or was I just part of the game?
Fame don’t bleed and it don’t feel pain
But it burns you slow like acid rain
(Acid rain)
Breakdown
Take the crown, let it tear in two
Show me what’s left when the shine falls through
Final Chorus
I wore a paper crown, thought it’d hold
But fortune’s fickle and glory’s cold
One bad wind, one honest sound
And it all falls down—this paper crown
If I walk away without the clout
I’ll find my worth when the noise dies out
I’d rather stand when the truth’s profound
Than rule a lie in a paper crown
(Paper crown)
Outro
No more cardboard halos now
I lay it down—this paper crown
(Paper crown)