[Intro: jangly guitar riff, snappy drums kick in, 8 bars] [Verse 1] I drew a map on the back of a receipt Every coffee shop on every street Connected all the dots with a pencil line A constellation made of caffeine and time The one on third has got the wobbly chair The one on seventh plays Chet Baker in the air The one on main street knows my name by now They spell it wrong but I don't care somehow [Pre-Chorus] I'm not lost, I'm just wandering through Building paper towns in every booth I choose [Chorus] Paper town, I'm building something small Four walls of steam and nothing else at all A little kingdom where the wifi's free Paper town, population me Paper town, the rent is always cheap Just a window and a corner seat The world outside is running but I'm fine Paper town, I'm taking back my time [Verse 2] The Tuesday regular nods across the room We've never spoken but we share the afternoon He reads the paper like it's still 1995 I read my phone but I feel more alive When I look up and see the city through the glass The taxicabs and bicycles flying past Everybody's rushing somewhere fast And I'm the only one who wants this moment last [Pre-Chorus] I'm not lost, I'm just wandering through Building paper towns in every booth I choose [Chorus] Paper town, I'm building something small Four walls of steam and nothing else at all A little kingdom where the wifi's free Paper town, population me Paper town, the rent is always cheap Just a window and a corner seat The world outside is running but I'm fine Paper town, I'm taking back my time [Bridge] Some people build their empires out of glass and steel Corner offices and parking spots and three-course meals But I've got something money couldn't ever buy A ringside seat to watch the whole world walking by The barista just made art inside my cup A little leaf that says don't give this up So I won't, I'll stay another round King of nothing in my paper town [Chorus] Paper town, I'm building something small Four walls of steam and nothing else at all A little kingdom where the wifi's free Paper town, population me [Outro: guitar riff fading, light claps] Paper town… population me… Taking back my time… taking back my time… Doo doo doo… doo doo doo… Paper town…
