HUMANLIKE (人間みたいね)
Tatsuya Kitani
The Beast Within: Exploring Humanity in Tatsuya Kitani's 'HUMANLIKE (人間みたいね)'
Tatsuya Kitani's 'HUMANLIKE (人間みたいね)' delves into the complex interplay between human emotions and primal instincts. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship that has deteriorated, leaving one party feeling dehumanized and betrayed. The opening lines suggest a loss of kindness and a transformation into something unrecognizable, hinting at a deep emotional rift. This sets the stage for a narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and the darker aspects of human nature.
The recurring line 'あなたまるで人間みたいね' ('You are almost like a human') serves as a poignant metaphor, contrasting the perceived humanity of the other person with their beastly actions. This juxtaposition highlights the internal conflict of recognizing human traits in someone who has caused pain and suffering. The lyrics also touch on the idea of irreparable damage, emphasizing that once something is broken, it cannot return to its original state. This notion is further reinforced by the imagery of 'dark and deep hell,' suggesting a profound and inescapable suffering.
Kitani's use of vivid and sometimes disturbing imagery, such as '鮮やかな記憶の毒' ('vivid poison of memories') and '犬の骨のようにあなたの玩具で終わってしまった' ('ended up as your toy like a dog's bone'), adds a layer of intensity to the song. These metaphors evoke a sense of lingering pain and the toxic nature of certain memories. The song ultimately reflects on the struggle to reconcile the capacity for love with the capacity for cruelty, encapsulating the duality of human nature. The haunting refrain about meeting again in a shared nightmare underscores the cyclical and inescapable nature of this emotional turmoil.