Remembrance
Gojira
Exploring the Depths of Memory and Consciousness in Gojira's 'Remembrance'
Gojira's song 'Remembrance' delves into the intricate and often elusive nature of memory and consciousness. The lyrics suggest a yearning to reconnect with a past that feels more authentic and fulfilling than the present. The opening lines, 'I feel I come from better conditions / buried deep in my mind I forgot,' evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing to rediscover a forgotten, perhaps idealized, state of being. This sets the stage for a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment, as the narrator seeks to 'awake my soul' and 'find and drink this light.'
The song's imagery of 'other lives and other places' and 'always the same embraces' suggests a cyclical nature of existence, where the past continually influences the present and future. This cyclical theme is reinforced by the lines 'I return to where I've been,' indicating a perpetual quest for understanding and meaning. The desire to 'find the keys of the past' underscores the importance of memory as a tool for personal growth and self-awareness. Memory is portrayed as a powerful force that shapes our identity and our understanding of the world.
The repeated phrase 'opened them at my own will and command' signifies a struggle for control over one's destiny and the ability to access these memories and insights at will. This struggle is a central theme in the song, highlighting the tension between the desire for progress and the need to understand and integrate past experiences. Gojira's 'Remembrance' ultimately speaks to the universal human experience of seeking meaning and coherence in the tapestry of our lives, using memory as a bridge between the past, present, and future.