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‘De Papel’ by TINI explores a passionate yet self-destructive relationship between two people who can’t seem to let go—despite the pain they continue to cause each other.

At its core, the song reflects on emotional cycles and unfinished love. The lyrics reveal a toxic push-and-pull dynamic: they break up, make up, and fall into the same patterns. There’s a lingering sense that neither of them truly knows how to love in a healthy way—“Maybe we just don’t know how to love.”

It also speaks to the pain that lingers. Even after everything, the wounds are still there: “We live with wounds on our skin / But they still hurt.” The connection feels unresolved, and the hurt never fully fades.

Still, desire and emotional longing remain. TINI expresses a deep yearning for this person, admitting that she misses them, wants more, and keeps getting drawn back in—even when she knows it’s not good for her.

The heart ‘De Papel’ lies in its central metaphor: “Setting ourselves on fire when we’re made of paper.” It captures the raw intensity of the relationship—reckless, passionate, and incredibly fragile. Both are too vulnerable for the emotional fire they continue to ignite.

‘De Papel’ English Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Ey, I think about the past ever since you’ve been gone
I think about the present in case you come back
I want to turn back time
I want to start over (Ey)
So many times we messed it up, so many times we fixed it
It happened again today, but this time, I don’t know—we drifted apart
Either you call me or I call you, this isn’t over
No one’s going to win in this game

[Chorus]

Because that’s how you and I are
We live with wounds on our skin
But they never really stop hurting
We have more than enough reasons to see each other again
Because that’s how you and I are
But in the end, we do it without meaning to
Maybe we just don’t know how to love

Setting ourselves on fire when we’re made of paper

[Verse 2]

I don’t know how to start from zero when I always add a zero to the right
And I suspect that the more you love me, the more you push me away
Yeah, you make me leave—but you make me come back
And I don’t need alcohol for your lips to make me—
I took off piece by piece, and I closed the door
So you wouldn’t hear anything, and I hit play on a reggaetón
And only the sheets know, the kisses you give me
You left, but today I want more, baby
Let’s make peace, if you feel like it
Come do all those things you do to me
I miss you like always
Let’s come back like always

[Chorus]

Because that’s how you and I are
We live with wounds on our skin
But they never really stop hurting
We have more than enough reasons to see each other again
Because that’s how you and I are
But in the end, we do it without meaning to
Maybe we just don’t know how to love
Setting ourselves on fire when we’re made of paper

[Post-Chorus]

Of—of paper