the paperbag girls by leeson
By Pat Law • Oct 8th, 2008 • Category: Lead Story, The NarcissistThe Paperbag Girls
Lyrics: Pat Law & Jamie Gibbings
Music: Jamie Gibbings (Vocals), Gerald Teo (Guitars), Thomas Wu (Guitars), Brian Koh (Bass), Mark Cheng (Drums)
A thousand blades have glided on my skin
With every second passed I bled within, and I remember
When I could tell you ‘fuck off’ through my pride
But you’ve got something that I left behind
We kiss like Gala and Dali
That butterfly stings like a bee
Beneath the paperbag with me
The world keeps staring jealously
But it wasn’t built for you or me
Beneath the paperbag we’re free
You took my heart and now I couldn’t hide
And if you’re Bonnie then I know I’m Clyde
We’re George and Brad now
We’re Shrimp and Goby
And I had to fall
So take my hand and we will conquer all
Her feline eyes closed ever so gently, as a soft sigh of satisfaction escaped her lips. Her fingers found their way into her rebellious, wild curls, twirling just momentarily, before resuming their original tap dance against the cracked wooden table. She was alone in her world.
It was a lazy Saturday afternoon when my wife and I stumbled upon Singapore’s best kept secret; Leeson. A blend of dance and pop hooks concentrate induced with serious words of such poetic honesty; Leeson creates music that places you on an emotional pedestal with confusing polarity. It wasn’t a surprise my wife fell in love that day.
Music to my wife is what Art is to me. We live and breathe our passion, we wither and die without. Recognizing her appreciation for Music and Leeson, it was only natural for me to explore the idea of having the band produce a song especially for her. For someone as special as her, an off-the-shelf Louis Vuitton bag just doesn’t quite match up.
I approached Brian, the bassist of Leeson whom I thankfully know on a personal level, and pitched my idea with bated breath. I respect the band a lot, and I did not want him to think I was, in anyway, feeling otherwise. Fortunately for me, he didn’t think I was some melodramatic lesbian preoccupied with impressing some girl and getting laid, and agreed to speak to the band for me. They agreed, in a positive if not rather amused note, if I may add.
So there we were, my wife and I, at Big Ears Studio down at Onan Road on a Sunday night, witnessing our love being celebrated (forgive me for the drama, the song is after all, about us). The band, seasoned musicians that they are, recorded the song rather seamlessly in spite or not having practised the song together before. That bit’s my fault really. I didn’t give them enough time at all. They were burning their precious Sunday night away recording a song in time for my wife’s birthday. In a way, it makes the final product a hell lot more honest, doesn’t it?
Dear Brian, Jamie, Gerald, Thomas and Mark of Leeson, and not to mention Ronald (for coming to our rescue at the last minute):
Saying thank you does not do you any justice.
You allowed a couple of lesbians into your lives for one night, and blessed us with a euphoric experience like no other. And you didn’t ask us to kiss for the camera.
You did not laugh at us, for our cheesiness. Instead, you respected us. More importantly, you took pride in your craft. I would’ve died personally, if I had to play a verse repeatedly until “that is perfect”.
The Paperbag Girls is not just a song you have produced. It is Pride you showed. It is Humanity you embraced. It is Love you celebrated.
My wife and I thank you for that. Thank you for being part of our lives.
Enjoy the song with us. 
[Update: 8 october 2008]
Here’s the full song at shooting blanks.
Pat Law is a Digital Strategist who, in her time in the Adland, has marketed a range of global brands including adidas, Cadbury Schweppes, Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, Hewlett-Packard, Johnnie Walker, L’Oréal, and Royal Salute. Pat is the Boss Lady of GOODSTUPH, a badass social influence studio, and is represented by FLY Entertainment.
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Awesome in so many ways.
You do know you just spoiled the market for everyone.
THIS IS UBER COOL! but Ian is right. You have spoiled the market. Only salvation is for all of us to bug Brian to have the band make songs for us as well.
Oh now, poor Brian. Oei, not free hor. Don’t insult the band! LOL.
I really love this song. Awesome people and band too..respects!
hahaha, how come i’m not listed on bass? hahahaha, first i wasn’t emailed on the original reply, and now this? kekekekeke
but yah man.. this was truly fun to work on! and if it made two people happy, that’s all that matters -)
oh! and your art is amazing lah!
Aaawwww……
That’s the sweetest gift I’ve ever seen.
aww man….. thats amazing. how sweet!!!!!
this song arrangement takes me back to the Beatles era, nice and easy.
[...] Mrs Patlaw’s birthday this year, local band LEESON conspired with Patlaw to record a song. An it is an awesome song, for an awesome lady – jettisoning the rest of us [...]
That’s really a sweet gesture! I’m sure Mrs. Law will be very happy… I’m jealous!
you’ve just re-defined romantic.
my best wishes to your wife, yourself and your love.
Lesbians and Onan. The sexual references/innuendo is uncannily apt. Wonderful song, though I like the demo a whole lot better. You realise you’re also put yourself in a rut, as you’ll have to top that for next year’s birthday.
Thanks for letting us be a part of this, Pat! Also gave me another opportunity to yell at the guys and have some fun. Glad you like the song!
serendipity, I have some female friends and colleagues who have forwarded this page to their boyfriends and husbands. Perhaps you can do the same to yours.
missy, my wife and I thank you!
This is really really beautiful. Soulful, sincere, straight from the heart. What you have & what you give through your song, is what many of us long to have. Some of us are lucky enough to possess it once in a lifetime but there are others that live their entire lives without knowing what it’s like. Embrace & enjoy what you have. I wish you guys all the love in the world.
Really made my day to have read your post.
Hey Mark!
You’re a classic. Both my wife and I chuckled to each CHEEBYE you punctuate a verse with. You’re hilarious. And hey, thank you so very much. Great blog you have there, by the way.
Pat
Hey Daph, yes I have been really lucky. Lucky enough to fall in love. Lucky enough to know this is love. Thank you for your very kind words.
Midnight’s Driver, nahhhh, topping this won’t be that hard when you’re in love.
The song’s really awesome. And yes, that’s a real swell idea for a present!!
*Thumbs up to Leeson and to Pat!*
Great song! Really loved it.
I’m so gonna take notice of Leeson from now on.
And aye this would be the gift idea to top. I’m kinda afraid of what you’re gonna come up with next year.
You are so romantic you make me sick.
In a good way.
Happy birthday to wifey – bet it was just perfect.
waa…rock star!
Hi Stan,
The thumbs are rightful for Leeson only. I did nothing much compared to them. Thanks for the well wishes.
Harlow Ruok,
Yeah Leeson’s most definitely a band worth listening to. Probably Singapore’s best kept secret in our local music scene. I won’t be too afraid of next year though. I’m always gonna be one sappy fuck.
flamintear,
Yeah, I’m LAW-mantic. Heh.
alan, think YOU were the rockstar at Asia Interactive Awards.