Paracetamol

## "Paracetamol"Single by Declan McKenna

"**Paracetamol**" is a song by the English musician Declan McKenna, recorded and released for his EPs *Stains* and *Liar*, and his debut album, *What Do You Think About the Car?*. It was released on 4 December 2015. The song was written entirely by Declan himself, and was produced by James Ford.

## Theme

The song was inspired by transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, who committed suicide in 2014.

> It was a disgusting story. Not only must it have been a truly horrific experience for Leelah, but knowing that this wasn’t an isolated case genuinely terrified me. So I wrote this song called Paracetamol – without really noticing it at first – from the perspective of this ambiguous authoritative figure, talking about somebody they are oppressing, in a sort of disconnected tabloid speak… Paracetamol is not written specifically about Leelah’s case, but about sections of the media’s representation of LGBT communities in general. On the odd occasion, they are represented, the media tends to handle it so horribly that the cumulative effect is that their readers – quite understandably – just don’t quite get it either."
>
> Declan talking about the song.

## Lyrics

There's a boy 15 with a gun in his hand

And the people with no audience say should be hanged

And they ask him for his motive but they don't understand

Why they love, like they do like they do

There's a girl 15 with her head in a noose

Because she's damned to live, well she's damned to choose

And the animals walked in twos by twos

Showing love like they do like they do

There's a girl 15 although she isn't sure

Well how the hell could you want anything more?

Your beautiful perfect immaculate whore

I'm in love, love with you, love with you

Oh won't you let me finish

You drive me insane

The world will keep on turning

Even if we're not the same

Don't come on to me come on to me

There's a boy 15 turning into a man

Well tell me one other thing that he can

While you forced a smile through a jealous hand

Showing love like you do, like you do

There's a boy 15 and he's tempted to sue

Cause he's definitely sure that it's true

What kind of man, kind of man are you?

Showing love like you do like you do

Oh won't you let me finish

You drive me insane

The world will keep on turning

Even if we're not the same

Don't come on to me come on to me

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well don't forget you, paracetamol - smile

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well don't forget you, paracetamol - smile

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well don't forget you, paracetamol - smile

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well tell me what's on your mind

Well don't forget you, paracetamol - smile

You're emotionally challenged

Why do you waste your talent?

The world around you is manic

Do you have no shame?

Come on to me come on to me

## Track listings

**Digital download**

1. "Paracetamol"
2. "Brew"

## References

1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/29/trangender-teenager-leelah-alcorn-ohio-suicide
2. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/may/11/declan-mckenna-the-story-behind-paracetamol
3. ↑ https://music.apple.com/us/album/paracetamol-single/1061479201

## Navitagion

 Bonus tracks | "Excitement" (Demo) • "Brew" (Live at The Garage) • "Basic" (Live at The Garage) • "Tin Soldier Man"