Ikigai Lyrics – Tăng Duy Tân

Ikigai Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
In the opening verse, the singer reflects on the moment their loved one left. He initially believed the pain of losing her would fade quickly, but time has proven him wrong. Despite his hopes that memories of her would eventually disappear, he’s still stuck in sorrow. He uses the imagery of a river drying up and the sun erasing her name, only to be interrupted by dark clouds, representing his ongoing heartache.

[Pre-Chorus]
Here, the singer expresses a sense of being left in a confusing and emotional state, standing at a metaphorical waterfall. He’s lost in the sound of rain, which reflects his sadness. Although he acknowledges their separation, he wishes for a future reunion when both have fully lived their lives, suggesting a hope that their paths may cross again someday.

[Chorus]
In the chorus, the singer is engulfed in sadness as night falls and the rain continues to pour. He watches her walk away, unable to find the words to express his feelings. He doesn’t want to feel this pain, but it’s there, heavy in his heart. He wonders how long the rain (and by extension, his sorrow) will last before his pain finally disappears, highlighting his desperation for relief.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the female perspective comes through as she addresses the man. She hopes he realizes that even after a hundred years, she won’t forget him. She remembers his gentle smile and peaceful demeanor, but she’s saddened that such peace was short-lived. She feels isolated, going through life alone and struggling with her pain. She doesn’t wish for them to get back together; instead, she just seeks a bit of tranquility within herself. The rain continues to symbolize her hidden emotions, and she recognizes that their paths have diverged. Ultimately, she longs for inner peace, away from the turmoil of lost love.

[Verse 3]
In this verse, the singer reflects again on his feelings after the separation. He thought he was strong enough to handle the heartbreak, but it turns out he’s deeply hurt. He acknowledges that life is unpredictable and that feelings can fade with time, yet he grapples with the uncertainty of when that healing will occur. This acceptance of life’s impermanence underscores the pain of his present moment.

[Pre-Chorus]
This pre-chorus mirrors the earlier one, reinforcing the feelings of being stuck at a precipice of emotions. He’s still lost in thought, surrounded by the sound of the rain, but he maintains the hope of meeting again in a different time and place, hinting at the possibility of closure in the future.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the themes of sadness and longing as night sets in and the rain continues to fall. The singer feels a profound sense of loss and helplessness as he watches his love walk away, silent and unable to voice his feelings. He’s trapped in this cycle of pain and wonders how long it will last. This repetition emphasizes his despair and the yearning for his suffering to finally come to an end.

[Outro]
In the outro, the rain symbolizes the woman’s concealed emotions as she admits that it hides her true feelings. She recognizes that they are now on separate paths, and while she doesn’t yearn for the past, she hopes to find peace in her heart amidst the sorrow. The repeated wish for calmness reflects a desire to move forward from the pain.