I'm Afraid Of Japan
Final Fantasy Lyrics
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Into a sergeant, emboldened and enlargened
For some the spell was shafted, but I am in your sway
Yes, I am still enchanted by the ways of yesterday
To the public park I walk with my new wife
And in the summer heat, I lose my head
I tell her that the army needs a modus operandi
I tell her where I really went that evening in Chelsea
I tell her I don't think I'll last another single night
She says, Yeah, right
If I do it with an ice pick, will I come back as a jock?
If I fast until starvation will I be born again a Christian?
I hear that death by burning means returning as a girl
But only by seppuku can I retain my virtue
But all my efforts have only made
An army of greedy gays
Will no one read The Sound Of Waves?
Oh, oh, I am afraid.
The song "I'm Afraid of Japan" by Final Fantasy is a complex and cryptic lyrical composition that speaks of the singer's fascination with the country of Japan. The song starts with a plea to Nippon (Japan in Japanese) to embrace the singer and transform him into a sergeant, ready to take on the world. The singer seems to be under the spell of Japan and is enamored by its culture and traditions, which he believes have the power to give him strength and courage. He mentions being enchanted by the ways of yesterday, possibly referring to the strong influence of Japanese folklore and mythology.
The song then takes a sharp turn towards morbidity, with the singer confessing to his wife about his secret escapades in Chelsea. He asks her if he could be reborn as a jock or a Christian if he was to die a certain way, indicating his fear of death and his curiosity about life after death. Finally, he mentions that his efforts to embrace Japanese culture have only led to the creation of an army of greedy gays, asking if anyone is interested in reading "The Sound Of Waves," a Japanese novel that explores themes of love and desire.
Overall, the song talks about the singer's fascination with Japan and how it has impacted his worldview, while also addressing larger themes of identity, mortality, and sexuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Nippon, won't you take me into your arms and make me
I yearn to be embraced by the culture and traditions of Japan
Into a sergeant, emboldened and enlargened
I desire to become a respected and powerful figure in the military
For some the spell was shafted, but I am in your sway
Others may have been disappointed by Japan, but I am still under its influence
Yes, I am still enchanted by the ways of yesterday
I am captivated by the traditional and nostalgic aspects of Japan
To the public park I walk with my new wife
I take my wife on a stroll to the park
And in the summer heat, I lose my head
I become overwhelmed by the heat and my surroundings
I tell her that the army needs a modus operandi
I share with her my belief that the military needs a plan of action
I tell her where I really went that evening in Chelsea
I confess to her where I actually went one evening in Chelsea
I tell her I don't think I'll last another single night
I express my fear of not surviving much longer
She says, Yeah, right
She responds skeptically to my concerns
If I do it with an ice pick, will I come back as a jock?
I wonder if committing suicide in a certain way will result in a specific rebirth
If I fast until starvation will I be born again a Christian?
I ponder if abstaining from food and dying will cause me to be reborn as a follower of Christianity
I hear that death by burning means returning as a girl
I have heard that dying by fire will lead to reincarnation as a female
But only by seppuku can I retain my virtue
I believe that committing ritual suicide is the only way to preserve my honor and virtue
But all my efforts have only made
Despite my efforts, I have only achieved
An army of greedy gays
A group of selfish homosexual individuals
Will no one read The Sound Of Waves?
I question why no one is interested in reading a classic Japanese novel
Oh, oh, I am afraid.
I express my fear and trepidation
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Owen Pallett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind