Tender Sugar
Akira Yamaoka Lyrics


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I run, I fall, what ripped away, check my body
Was it body or soul
The darkness fades, fades to the light
Disappearing now, disappears from the night

And all these nightmares I once had as a child
The morning always came, it came too late
What did my mind forget, forget to hide
Could the nightmare be awake, I don't know

In or out, up or down, never know its an illusion
Round and round, on and on, every day spins my confusion

Not again, not again, not again, this dream I can't awake
What is real, what is real, what is real, it's getting hard for me to take
What I need, what I need, what I need, a little somethin' I rely
And the white sugar gently hides me

Oh the sweet sugar saves me, it's the room that confines me
Confines me...sweet sugar

Yesterday back and forth, broken door no longer opens
Breaking down, need it now, mother's sugar always loves me

Not again, not again, not again, this dream I can't awake
What is real, what is real, what is real, it's getting hard for me to take
What I need, what I need, what I need, a little somethin' I rely
And the white sugar gently hides me





Oh the sweet sugar saves me, it's the room that confines me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tender Sugar by Akira Yamaoka feat. Melissa Williamson (Mary Elizabeth McGlynn) convey a sense of confusion and unease, as if the singer is lost in a dream or nightmare. The opening lines suggest that the singer has somehow been wounded or hurt ("what ripped away"), but they are unsure whether it was their body or their soul that was damaged. Despite the darkness, the singer is hopeful that they will emerge into the light, but this hope is short-lived as they continue to be plagued by nightmares that they cannot escape.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "not again" and "what is real," suggesting that the singer is struggling to differentiate between reality and the nightmares that haunt them. They are searching for something to help ground them, something they can rely on, and the "white sugar" serves as a type of escape and refuge from the confusion and pain. The bridge of the song references a "broken door" and needing "mother's sugar," which may suggest that the singer is seeking comfort from a parental figure or from something that reminds them of childhood.


Overall, the lyrics of Tender Sugar convey a sense of desperation and a desire for escape from the confusion and pain that the singer is experiencing.


Line by Line Meaning

I run, I fall, what ripped away, check my body
I am in pain and unsure of what is causing my suffering


Was it body or soul
I am questioning whether the source of my pain is physical or emotional


The darkness fades, fades to the light
The source of my pain is becoming clearer and easier to understand


Disappearing now, disappears from the night
The source of my pain is dissipating and I am finding relief


And all these nightmares I once had as a child
I am haunted by the memories of my childhood


The morning always came, it came too late
I am frustrated that my troubles seem to pass only after it is too late


What did my mind forget, forget to hide
I am trying to understand why my feelings have become so overwhelming


Could the nightmare be awake, I don't know
I am unsure whether I am dreaming or if these problems are a waking reality


In or out, up or down, never know its an illusion
I feel trapped in a confusing and deceptive situation


Round and round, on and on, every day spins my confusion
My confusion and uncertainty seem never-ending and ever-present


Not again, not again, not again, this dream I can't awake
I am distressed and desperate to escape from my troubles


What is real, what is real, what is real, it's getting hard for me to take
I am losing my grip on what is real and what is not, which is causing me distress


What I need, what I need, what I need, a little somethin' I rely
I am seeking some kind of relief or support in order to cope


And the white sugar gently hides me
I find comfort in the sweetness of something I can rely on, like sugar


Oh the sweet sugar saves me, it's the room that confines me
The sweetness of sugar is both a comfort and a trap; while it provides relief, it also keeps me trapped in an unhealthy pattern


Yesterday back and forth, broken door no longer opens
I feel stuck, as if I am constantly cycling through the same problems and solutions with no progress


Breaking down, need it now, mother's sugar always loves me
I am feeling overwhelmed and seeking comfort, and turn to the familiarity of the sweetness I associate with my mother's love




Contributed by Matthew C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@FranticNevada

I run
I fall
What ripped away?
Check my body

Was it body or soul?
The darkness fades
Fades to the light
Disappearing now

Disappears from the night
And all these nightmares I once had

As a child
The morning always came
It came too late
What did my mind forget?

Forget to hide
Could the nightmare be awake?

I don't know
In or out?

Up or down?
Never know, it's an illusion
'Round and 'round,
On and on,

Everyday spins my confusion
Not again, not again, not again
This dream I can't awake
What is real? What is real? What is real?
It's getting hard for me to take
What I need? What I need? What I need?
A little something I rely
And the white sugar gently hides me
Oh, the sweet sugar saves me
It's the room that confines me
Confines me
(Sweet sugar)
Yesterday,
Back and forth,
Broken door no longer opens
Breaking down,
Need it now,
Mother's sugar always loves me
Not again, not again, not again
This dream I can't awake
What is real? What is real? What is real?
It's getting hard for me to take
What I need? What I need? What I need?
A little something I rely
And the white sugar gently hides me
Oh, the sweet sugar saves me
It's the room that confines me



All comments from YouTube:

@Mad-mob.

The solo is out of this world: simple, yet soulful, remarkable and amazing. Akira Yamaoka is a master with the strings.

@Rovertimes

Ugh when the guitar solo drops.....everything drops..... amazing work by Akira and Mary Elizabeth

@GoodCityModernMusic

It's too fuckin epic!!!

@cameronwilliams4404

The solo is everything!

@Walamonga1313

I'm a guitar guy, but the unsung hero here is the bass!

@Johnytomm

@@Walamonga1313 it always is!

@dakotaotero4245

It’s the room that confines me, confines me

@doafan455

@@dakotaotero4245 just like all the rest of us because of this damn pandemic

@AWISECROW

Those vocals though.

@ricemenarq6230

"Oh the sweet sugar saves me, it's the room that confines me..."

So "Tender Sugar" refers to the Chocolate Milk in the fridge?

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