ナポレオンフィッシュと泳ぐ日
佐野元春 Lyrics

The opening line of 佐野元春's song ナポレオンフィッシュと泳ぐ日 (Naporeon Fisshu to oyogu hi) starts with a man whistling while walking in a winter city, but he starts to cry unknowingly. The song expresses a sense of loneliness and longing for a partner to hold onto without a destination in sight. The title of the song is Napoleon Fish, which is an interesting choice because this fish species is known for its delicate beauty, bright colors, and gentle nature, yet they are not often seen in aquariums or in the wild. The bleak and lovelorn theme of the song creates a striking contrast with the tranquil and desirable image of a Napoleon Fish.

The second verse describes a strange party that the singer of the song is invited to. He finds himself alone among the crowd and compared himself to a lonely pelican, and the only person who tries to keep him company is attempting to hide him from the glare of the moon. The sense of alienation and depression continues to with the mention of a saint who never comes, and an electric guitar that burns out with the weakness of words. The song's message seems to be about elusive and fleeting moments of joy that people want to grasp on to, but they can't escape feelings of melancholy, confusion, and hopelessness. The lyrics then repeat the chorus of losing oneself without finding a destination, and the last lines pose a question to the listener, wondering where they will go next.