Instant Music

The Pillows' song "Instant Music" delves into the superficiality and fleeting nature of modern life, particularly through the lens of music and media consumption. The lyrics paint a picture of a society that prioritizes convenience and instant gratification over depth and genuine fulfillment. The term "マニュアルーライフのアニマル" (manual-life animal) suggests a life lived by the book, devoid of spontaneity and true emotion. The repeated notion that being average or following a manual brings happiness highlights the irony and emptiness of such a lifestyle.

The chorus, with phrases like "インスタントミュージック" (instant music) and "ダイエットミュージック" (diet music), criticizes the oversaturation of shallow, easily consumable content that floods the world. The imagery of children drowning in this instant music suggests a generation lost in superficiality, unable to find deeper meaning or nourishment for the soul. The song also touches on the idea of adults becoming metaphorically 'fat' from overconsumption, indicating a society bloated with excess yet starved of true substance.

The Pillows use these metaphors to comment on the broader cultural context of a world obsessed with quick fixes and surface-level solutions. The line "心の栄養失調は o.k" (heart's malnutrition is okay) starkly points out the neglect of emotional and spiritual well-being in favor of maintaining a facade of happiness. The song ultimately serves as a critique of modern life's tendency to prioritize convenience and appearance over genuine, meaningful experiences.