OMG…I know…finally right?
Okay…let’s get started shall we?
First off, here are the english translated lyrics as found in the lyric book. There will be underlining and note indicators but read through the song fully before you go to the notes. Also, keep in mind that this is my interpretation, I could be wrong. Feel free to input your opinion in the comments.
TOGURO (Coil)
“Killthe tounge”¹
“The Silence of the White“¹
“It bloats as words”¹
“Eagerness crawls near”¹
The crumbling temptation has a smiling face²
The blurred night bursts²
“Cover scars with scars”²
“Darkness, Doubt and Human Nature”²
“Crave each other like crazy”²
Shooting of the people that can adapt ◊
She picks the petals of the butterfly smilingly≡
Superiority≡
Scatter peacefully≡
Be broken so mount♣
Shut your eyes and yourself from reality³
The loser human drifts forever³*
It won’t be heard³
Shooting of the people that can adapt ◊
The demand and the gathering for the camouflage, the destruction of order in the lines ◊
Reality, entertainment, andthe nothingness opens up the wound³
You trace the answers with your finger♣
Dancing Slowly Forever Sick ³
¹: The underlined words in the first three lines indicate death. I included the fourth line because if the first three lines do indicate death then the fourth line could indicate maggots anddecay. In addition, all of these lines have something to do with words or speech. I take this verse to mean either the death of language, or more likely, of the freedom of speech.
²: This whole 2nd verse points toward sex. It’s darker lines suggest S&M. The coupling of the 3rd and 4th lines is quite poignant. It suggests that darkness and insecurity are intrinsically a part of us as human beings and that those sides of us cause an inhibited need for sexual contact. In addition, the use of the word “Crave” (at least to me) suggests an animilistic urgency. It may, however, have less to do with sex and more to do with a generalized downward slope of morality.
≡: These lines are the few that overtly contradict themselves. The three lines suggest the torture of something smaller than yourself. The word “petals” is obviously meant to be wings. However, the fact that “she” is smiling during the act of wounding an exceptionally beautiful creature suggests either severe sadism, or, more likely as the word “Superiority” suggests, a need to display superiority. The addition of the third line suggest a calmness surrounding the violent act that has just occurred, which is quite contradictory.
³ : These lines, when looked at together suggest that one of the dark sides of culture today is the intentional separationof ourselves from reality. It suggests that, although we do this to numb ourselves from the pains that reality will inevitably cause, in the long run we are hurt by it. It causes a sickness within us, as well as an inability to connect with other human beings. Leaving us essentially alone and unheard, drifting in our own world.
◊: Theses lines, contrary to the rest of the song clearly include an uprising within society. They elude to the upheavalof what is considered the norm, or what is culturally acceptable. When considered with the rest of the messages contained within this song, these lines could portray the overthrowingof a centralized government. In this context, the girl with the butterfly would be a power hungry government who mistreats its people.
♣: I’m honestly not sure how these lines tie in withthe song. All I could imagine the first one to mean is an attempt at overcoming. You are broken but you should still try to overcome this? The second line is difficult because the question that is to be answered is not clear. I don’t know, Suggestions would be appreciated!
*: The original Japanese text says something about saying good bye, so the english translation may not reflect the orginal japanese text accurately, however, as my Kanji skills are limited, I cannot do any better, therefore, we must live with it. Y_Y
In summary, the song (possibly…@_@) begins with the death of free speech, one of our most basic rights. This coupled with a decline in morality and power hungry governments cause people to retreat into their own minds. Although this causes temporary relief, in the long run, it damns us to solitude. And in the end this condition becomes a disease that we blind ourselves to. The title ties in too in that the word “coil” is synonymous with the word spiral and this songs seems to depict a downward spiral of sorts.
As a side note, I’m looking at this song from a worldly point of view, however, it can be directly applied to Japanese culture. Between overall discontent with their government to their reliance on portable forms of entertainment, this song paint a fairly accurate picture of the more negative side of modern Japanese culture.
The End
Comments/CONSTRUCTIVE input is encouraged!
<3