Papa
Vanessa Carlton · Harmonium [2004]
Look up
Look where you wanna be
Look left
Look where you left me
I should have known, by the ice in his eye
But you warmed me up with your so sweet demise
And nestled in your calculated moon shine
Boy, you give good
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, your sleeve
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, but me
Papa, oh Papa tonight
Papa, oh I'll be alright
Look left
Look where you wanna be
Look up
Look where you left me
I should've known, by the ice in his eye
But you warmed me up with your so sweet demise
Nestled in your calculated moon shine
Boy, you give good
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, your sleeve
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, but me
Papa, oh Papa tonight
Papa, oh I'll be alright
Look where you wanna be
Look left
Look where you left me
I should have known, by the ice in his eye
But you warmed me up with your so sweet demise
And nestled in your calculated moon shine
Boy, you give good
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, your sleeve
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, but me
Papa, oh Papa tonight
Papa, oh I'll be alright
Look left
Look where you wanna be
Look up
Look where you left me
I should've known, by the ice in his eye
But you warmed me up with your so sweet demise
Nestled in your calculated moon shine
Boy, you give good
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, your sleeve
Love, plastic love
You're a genuine wannabe
And you got it all up your blue sleeve, but me
Papa, oh Papa tonight
Papa, oh I'll be alright
Papa - Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa Carlton's "Papa" serves as a tender, introspective track from her 2004 album *Harmonium*. Released during a period where she explored themes of family and personal history, the song reflects her signature acoustic style and lyrical focus on intimate relationships. As part of her broader discography, which includes the critically acclaimed *Be Not Nobody*, "Papa" exemplifies her ability to blend folk sensibilities with pop structures. The recording captures a quiet moment of reflection, characteristic of her work from the mid-2000s, where she often drew upon her own life experiences to craft narratives that resonate with listeners seeking emotional authenticity.