September Rain

Makoto Matsushita's 'September Rain' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The song opens with the imagery of raindrops falling on a windowpane, setting a melancholic tone that permeates the entire piece. The narrator is caught in a moment of reflection, feeling the same emotions despite the passage of time, symbolized by the clock striking five. This sense of stasis is further emphasized by the act of writing a note, an attempt to understand lingering feelings of love for someone who is no longer present.

The chorus introduces the concept of 'September rain,' a metaphor for sudden sadness that arrives unexpectedly, much like the changing seasons. The rain represents a cleansing yet sorrowful force, washing over the narrator's 'easy pain'—a term that suggests a familiar, almost comforting sadness. The mention of 'little lovers' and being 'down into your traces' evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the narrator is reminded of past relationships and the indelible marks they leave behind.

As the song progresses, the narrator recalls moments of shared smiles and twilight reflections, underscoring the bittersweet nature of these memories. The repetition of 'summer's gone' and 'I lost it all' highlights the theme of impermanence and the inevitable end of joyful times. The twilight, a transitional period between day and night, serves as a metaphor for the narrator's emotional state—caught between the light of past happiness and the darkness of present sorrow. 'September Rain' ultimately captures the essence of longing and the enduring impact of lost love, wrapped in the gentle, soothing sounds characteristic of Matsushita's musical style.