Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of creative output that feels meaningless, a common sentiment after intense effort. The narrator seems to be chastising themselves, or perhaps their past self, for rushing through life. There's a sense of self-deprecation, as if their own creations are being dismissed as foolish.
This feeling is amplified by the contrast between the "frenetic energy" and the "silence afterward," or the "dream after waking." The narrator questions why they want to hold onto these fleeting moments, especially as the "cityscape" hides the world, sinking into another day without blooming. This suggests a struggle to find lasting value or beauty in a world that feels superficial and transient.
The core tension lies in the narrator's feeling of being lost, "swimming in the expelled water" after losing track of right and wrong. The repetition of "why, why" underscores a deep confusion and a yearning for answers that aren't readily available. The lyrics then shift, suggesting a forced acceptance of natural progression: "night turns to morning without resistance," "sound goes outward without desire." This passive movement contrasts with the narrator's internal turmoil.
The most striking element is the repeated phrase "ひとり ひとり" (hitori hitori), meaning "alone, alone." This isolation is emphasized by the command to "go to the other side of the thorns." The narrator clings to a hard-won "now," something gained through intense observation, wanting to flaunt it regardless of their location. This desire to display their present reality, even if it's a difficult "now," suggests a desperate need for validation or a way to assert their existence.
Ultimately, the lyrics convey a profound sense of disillusionment with the cyclical nature of life and creation. The narrator contemplates disappearing to achieve a "cheerful present," a thought that leads to holding their breath. The final verses reiterate the worthlessness of past efforts and inner struggles, yet there's a defiant urge to "sing" about this "world of ups and downs." The repeated command to "go, even if you lose your form" and the desire to "show off the 'now'" point to a complex mix of resignation and a fierce, almost desperate, need to be seen and acknowledged, even in their fragmented state.