[1]The song samples elements of "Ashley's Roachclip" by The Soul Searchers and "Angola, Louisiana" by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson.

[3] In the song, Prince Be also says, "Imagine yourself as a cloud in the sky", and asks the audience to consider "what it would be like as a paper doll", referring to his surroundings as the "quote unquote real world".

[4] Simon Reynolds from Melody Maker commented, "One of the lovelier tracks for the most pure-and-simply gorgeous album of the year, "Paper Doll" is brimming with swoony harmony vocals, like jazz-influenced nightingales.

The lyrics are barmy, staying dangerously close to Fotherington-Thomas-goes-New-Age territory when the subject of "thinking clouds" is touched upon, and yet, and yet, PM Dawn are too funky (in a mellow, marshmallowy sort of way) to be preposterous.

"[4] Writing for the Spin Alternative Record Guide, Jonathan Bernstein stated, "Although at their most inspiring on the mellow tip, 'Paper Doll' is another loose-fitting warm weather accessory".