The lyrics depict a protagonist who has dabbled in “wrongdoings,” been caught, and is now cornered with no escape. Depending on the tone of the song, it could be interpreted as either comical or serious, but at its core, the lyrics focus on “regret” and “determination to reform.”
- The protagonist engages in crime or illegal activities
- “I escaped through the back door and went straight” → The protagonist was once involved in the underworld but tried to turn over a new leaf.
- “If I touch that again, my life is ruined” → However, they fell back into trouble and now face ruin.
- Fear of being pursued by a powerful enemy (boss)
- “Probably that guy!! The tough-looking boss!! He’s got an uncanny intuition” → The protagonist did something shady and is afraid of being found out.
- “Dark fixer!! Yahoo News!! The shadow of a great evil looms” → Someone active in the underworld is making headlines, and the protagonist is caught in its influence.
- Apologizing to the mother and longing for love
- “I am sorry, mother” → Expressing regret and seeking a mother’s love.
- “I miss your love, lonely nights are unbearable” → Perhaps they engaged in wrongdoing due to loneliness and a lack of love.
- Relationship with the father and self-understanding
- “I am sorry, father. You and I are two of a kind” → Suggesting that the father may have walked a similar path, or that the protagonist was influenced by him.
- Decision: “I won’t do it again”
- “But I won’t do it anymore” → Declaring their determination to reform.
- Meaning of the spoken lines
- “My life was like a lacewing” → Comparing their life to a lacewing, a fragile insect with a short lifespan.
- “But isn’t it rude to talk about lacewings in such a disrespectful way?” → A sarcastic remark implying that even if life is fleeting, it shouldn’t be dismissed as meaningless.
The lyrics describe a protagonist who was once involved in crime or the underworld, found themselves in an inescapable situation, but ultimately decides to reform, recalling the love of their mother and family bonds. However, the use of humorous and ironic expressions prevents it from being purely serious, giving it an element of black comedy. The song’s tone allows for both serious and comical interpretations, making the lyrics intriguing.
- “Everything is gonna be alright” → “Everything will be fine” → A common phrase of encouragement, but since the lyrics continue with “That’s a lie,” the protagonist does not believe it.
- “I am sorry, mother” → “I’m sorry, mother” → An apology to their mother, expressing regret for having strayed down a bad path.
- “One-night-teki na motion” → “A one-night kind of motion” → Suggests a fleeting, one-night-only action, possibly hinting at temporary escapism.
- “One-chan gesu na motion” → “A one-time sleazy motion” → Implies an impulsive, reckless action taken out of desperation.
- “Sunshine… Mama… Moonlight… Mama…” → “Sunshine… Mama… Moonlight… Mama…” → A poetic expression suggesting that the protagonist thinks about their mother day and night.
Lacewings (Usubakagerou) are insects that resemble dragonflies and belong to the order Neuroptera. Although their name includes “kagerou” (mayfly), they are different from actual mayflies.
Characteristics:
- Their larvae, known as “antlions,” create funnel-shaped pits in the sand to catch ants.
- Adult lacewings barely eat and live only a few days to a week.
- They have delicate, thin wings and fly in a fluttery manner.
Symbolism:
Because of their short lifespan, lacewings are often used in literature and lyrics as a metaphor for ephemerality. In this song, the phrase “a life like a lacewing” suggests a fragile and transient existence. However, the ironic remark at the end suggests that the protagonist refuses to dismiss their life as meaningless.
- The protagonist was once involved in the underworld but tried to reform
- “I escaped through the back door and went straight” → Suggests that they once engaged in crime but attempted to lead an honest life.
- “If I touch that again, my life is ruined” → “That” may refer to drugs, implying that using them again would mean the end.
- However, a companion (or the protagonist) falls back into danger
- “Probably that guy!! The tough-looking boss!! He’s got an uncanny intuition” → The “tough-looking boss” might represent a drug dealer or underworld leader, someone trying to pull them back in.
- “Everything is gonna be alright, but that’s a lie” → Even if someone reassures them that things will be fine, they know it’s not true.
- Succumbing to loneliness and temptation
- “A one-night kind of motion, lonely nights are unbearable” → This could refer to seeking fleeting relief, whether through drugs or unhealthy relationships.
- “One-time sleazy motion, excuses are endless” → Suggests that the protagonist is making reckless decisions while justifying them with endless excuses.
- Remembering their mother and deciding to quit
- “I am sorry, mother. I miss your love” → Implies that their descent into drugs was driven by a craving for love.
- “I am sorry, father. You and I are two of a kind” → Suggests that the father also struggled with similar issues.
- “But I won’t do it anymore” → The protagonist reaffirms their resolve to quit, even as temptation looms.
- Meaning of the final spoken lines
- “You say life is like a lacewing” → Could be directed at an old friend who has given up on life.
- “But isn’t it rude to talk about lacewings in such a disrespectful way?” → Implies that even if life is fragile, it’s not meaningless.
- “I won’t give up. I will rebuild my life” → The protagonist rejects despair and chooses to move forward.
Conclusion: A Message to a Former Companion
This song could be interpreted as a message to a former companion who fell into drug use. The protagonist, having been in the same situation, expresses regret, recalls the love of family, and decides to break free. While humorous elements soften the tone, the underlying theme is one of redemption and moving forward.
