vivi

Kenshi Yonezu's song 'vivi' delves into the complex emotions surrounding love, loss, and the inevitable farewells that life brings. The lyrics are a poignant exploration of the struggle to express deep feelings and the frustration that often accompanies this struggle. The song opens with the singer reflecting on words swallowed in sadness and words thrown out in anger, both of which linger and haunt. This sets the tone for a narrative about the difficulty of communication and the elusive nature of perfect expression.

The recurring phrase '愛してるよ ビビ' (I love you, Vivi) juxtaposed with the necessity of saying goodbye ('バイバイしなくちゃいけない僕だ') highlights the transient nature of relationships. The singer acknowledges that despite the love they feel, they must part ways, leaving behind a city that seems to be on the brink of turning to ash. This imagery of a decaying city serves as a metaphor for the end of a relationship, where everything familiar and cherished is left behind.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitable. The singer writes a letter to their beloved, reminiscing about beautiful memories but finding themselves unable to put these thoughts into words. The lyrics also touch on surreal and melancholic imagery, such as melting amber, falling balloons, and singing fish, which add to the dreamlike quality of the song. These images evoke a sense of fleeting beauty and the passage of time, reinforcing the theme of impermanence.

In the end, the song circles back to the idea that despite the inability to fully articulate their feelings, the act of saying goodbye is itself a form of love. The final lines, 'さよならだけが僕らの愛だ' (Only goodbye is our love), encapsulate the bittersweet reality that sometimes, love is best expressed through letting go.