While Your Lips Are Still Red

The song 'While Your Lips Are Still Red' by Nightwish is a poignant ballad that delves into the ephemeral nature of love and life. The lyrics, written with a poetic touch, urge the listener to seize the moment and experience love before it fades away. The song is not typical of Nightwish's usual symphonic metal style, as it leans more towards a softer, balladic approach, showcasing the band's versatility and the depth of their songwriting.

The opening lines of the song set a tone of quiet introspection, suggesting that some experiences are meant to be felt rather than spoken about. The imagery of 'dark hair for catching the wind' and 'a cold world' hints at the contrast between the warmth of human connection and the often harsh reality of life. The chorus, with its repeated plea to 'kiss while your lips are still red,' serves as a metaphor for embracing love and passion while one still has the chance, before age or circumstance can diminish the capacity for such experiences.

The song also touches on the theme of impermanence, with lines like 'First day of love never comes back' and 'Love while the night still hides the withering dawn.' These lyrics remind us that time is fleeting, and moments of love and beauty are transient. The reference to the violin and the poet's hand suggests that art and expression are ways to immortalize these fleeting moments. Nightwish, through this song, invites the listener to live fully and love deeply, understanding that the opportunity to do so is precious and limited.