Hard Advice / That Made Me Stronger

[UndoingTheLaces]

Originally Posted by vivfox

LOL IMHO, that is not the doll she is referring to in the song when she sings, "don't buy that doll."

Actually, in the early part of the song she sings "Saw a life-size paper doll of you
In a record store" so when he later says "don't buy that doll" you can assume he's talking about that doll.

Frankly the entire concept of large paper cutouts of people is one I find a little creepy, which is why its a lyric I really wish she'd changed. Who buys that crap? Who thinks it's a good idea to manufacture it? Well, apparently Stevie does, because she had to be told explicitly not to buy it at the end of the song. Something I rather wish I didn't know about her.

I live in Hollywood and some of the souvenir shops have them. One of them has a whole bunch and their display shelf always reminds me of The Beatles Sgt. Peppers album cover. I used to have an Elvira one when I was younger just because I thought she was cool and fun. And I thought it was funny to have Elvira standing in a corner in my living room. I've never heard them referred to as a "paper doll" but I think the reference comes from the fact that they resemble paper dolls little girls used to play with. Like this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_doll

I think the song Paper Doll isn't about this particular paper doll but rather it's a metaphor for being objectified and treated like an object of beauty, to be dressed up, played with and shown off rather than being treated like a person. "I was your paper doll".