Under Kids
TUYU
The Despair and Defiance of Youth: A Deep Dive into TUYU's 'Under Kids'
TUYU's 'Under Kids' is a raw and poignant exploration of the struggles faced by marginalized youth. The song opens with a powerful declaration of frustration and blame, directed at the parents and society that the narrator feels have failed them. The lyrics, '最悪だ 最低だ お前らのせいだ' (It's the worst, it's the lowest, it's your fault), set the tone for a narrative steeped in resentment and a sense of betrayal. The narrator laments their very existence, suggesting that life would have been easier if they had never been born, highlighting a profound sense of hopelessness and disillusionment.
The song delves into the daily battles of these young individuals, who feel they have no place in the world. The lyrics describe a life of constant struggle, where even basic necessities are hard to come by. The mention of '泣けなしのお小遣いで制服そろえて' (using their meager allowance to buy uniforms) and '手頃な刃に薬もたい量に' (affordable blades and a large amount of medicine) paints a grim picture of their reality. The narrator's actions, such as preparing for a journey with a backpack filled with these items, symbolize a desperate attempt to find some semblance of control or escape from their dire circumstances.
Despite the bleakness, there is a glimmer of defiance and a desire for recognition. The narrator yearns for acknowledgment, even if it comes from lies or fleeting moments of connection. The repeated refrain, '愛の正体も知らないけど 今が楽しければそれでいいよね' (I don't know the true nature of love, but if I'm happy now, that's enough), underscores a longing for immediate relief from their pain. The song also touches on the inevitability of their fate, with references to a diminishing lifespan and the uncertainty of how long they can continue to survive in their harsh environment. The final verses express a resigned acceptance of their situation, coupled with a wish for the end of their suffering, whether through escape or the ultimate release of death.
'Under Kids' is a powerful commentary on the plight of disenfranchised youth, capturing their anger, despair, and fleeting moments of hope. TUYU's emotive delivery and the stark, vivid imagery of the lyrics create a haunting portrayal of a generation struggling to find their place in a world that seems indifferent to their existence.