LUCID
Rina Sawayama
Exploring the Dreamscape: Rina Sawayama's 'LUCID'
Rina Sawayama's song 'LUCID' delves into the ethereal and surreal world of lucid dreaming, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's longing and desire, encapsulated in dreams that feel almost tangible. The recurring theme of lucid dreaming serves as a metaphor for an intense yearning for someone who may or may not be real. This ambiguity is highlighted in the lines, 'Are you real or a hallucination? (I don't know) / I-I got to know,' suggesting a deep emotional conflict and a quest for clarity.
The song's chorus, 'Hey girl, you are what I've been looking for, oh, oh-oh-oh, ooh / 'Cause, hey girl, you are what I've been dreaming of, oh, oh-oh-oh, ooh,' emphasizes the idealization of the person in the singer's dreams. This person represents a perfect, almost unattainable love, which is both a source of pleasure and pain. The use of the term 'stranger in the dark' further accentuates the mysterious and elusive nature of this dream figure, making the listener question whether this love is a figment of the singer's imagination or a real person who has a profound impact on her.
Rina Sawayama's musical style, which often blends pop with elements of R&B and electronic music, complements the dreamlike quality of the song. The repetitive and hypnotic nature of the lyrics, 'Lucid dreams, lucid dreams 'bout you,' mirrors the cyclical and often obsessive nature of dreams. The song captures the essence of longing and the human tendency to escape into dreams to find solace and answers. 'LUCID' is a testament to the power of dreams and the emotions they can evoke, making it a relatable and captivating piece for anyone who has ever experienced the pull of a dream they can't quite let go of.