Keep Tryin’

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone outwardly indifferent, claiming "I don't care about anything," yet internally wrestling with a deep-seated dissatisfaction and a constant yearning for more. This persona adopts a nonchalant facade, "Doudemoiitte kao shinagara" (while wearing a don't-care face), while secretly "Zutto zutto inotteita" (praying all the time). The core tension lies between this projected apathy and the undeniable "Naimononedari" (wishing for things one doesn't have) and the feeling that "Chottoyasotto de manzoku dekinai" (can't be satisfied with just anything). This internal conflict fuels the repeated mantra, "Dakara keep trying." The song acknowledges the mundane struggles of daily life, like the "Shigoto no tsukare" (work fatigue) that makes even a "Juu ji no owarai bangumi" (10 PM comedy show) a comfort, and the fleeting loneliness that can creep in. Yet, it suggests that these moments of vulnerability are important. The narrator observes a personal regression, noting "Kyonen yori mendoukusagari ni natteru zo" (I've become lazier than last year), but frames the pursuit of goals as a reward only "Chousensha nomi moraeru gohoubi" (challengers can receive). This highlights a drive for achievement, even amidst self-perceived laziness. A key craft element is the juxtaposition of external cool and internal struggle. The narrator might "Kuuru na poozu kimenagara" (strike a cool pose), but "Jitsu wo iu to tatakatteta" (to tell the truth, was fighting). There's also a fascinating commentary on societal values, questioning the "'Aijou yori money'" (love over money) mentality and asserting that "Ai ga areba" (if there's love) it's enough, even if a partner is just a "sarariiman" (salaryman). This suggests a personal value system that prioritizes emotional fulfillment over material gain, despite the underlying dissatisfaction. The lyrics' effectiveness stems from this relatable dichotomy: the universal desire for something more, masked by a practiced indifference. The repeated "keep trying" becomes an anthem for anyone who feels that gnawing sense of wanting, who puts on a brave face while battling internal doubts and the daily grind. The final, extended repetition of "keep trying" directed at various family roles – "Otousan," "Okaasan," "Oniichan," "shashousan," "oyomesan" – transforms the personal struggle into a collective, almost communal, exhortation to persevere through life's ups and downs, acknowledging that everyone is in their own "kataomoi" (unrequited love) or pursuit.