砂時計
Exile Lyrics

"砂時計" (Suna-dokei) by Exile is a poignant song that explores themes of love, time, and the bittersweet nature of memories.

In the first verse, the singer ponders how long it has been since they last came to this place. They reminisce about how the waves of time erase the footprints of their memories. Sitting at the counter, they remember a night when they couldn't suppress their feelings and confessed them to the person they address as "you." However, looking at the surprised expression on "your" face, the singer immediately regrets their impulsive confession and holds back their emotions. Even as time passes, the memory of that night and the warmth of "your" hand remain vivid in their heart.

The second verse introduces a phone call from someone that is as familiar as always. The singer compares the sound of that voice to a whisper even if it were to be buried at the bottom of the sea. They cherish this exclusive and irreplaceable time they spend with this person. However, the sand in the hourglass is a reminder that their time together is coming to an end. The singer realizes that life keeps moving forward, and there is a sense of resignation, as they suggest that the other person should open the door and move on to unattainable places. It seems as though waking up from a dream, the singer acknowledges that they no longer need anything as long as they were once happy, and even the tears and warmth of their hand have turned into memories.

In the third verse, the singer narrates the moment they finally reached the place where the other person is. They describe how they felt as if they were bathed in light, piercing through the gaps in the clouds. They express their dependency on this person and how meeting them made the singer begin to shine. They long for the other person to stay by their side, reminiscing about the time they wished they could have witnessed the other person's smile.

In the last verse, the lyrics portray a blissful time when both the singer and the other person were innocent and believed that their carefree days would last forever. They reminisce about the nights when they got wet together in the rain on their way home, and how those days with the other person have now become nothing more than a mirage. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer's happiness was always being by the side of the other person, and now all of those memories have become distant recollections.

The bridge and the final chorus emphasize the enduring impact the other person had on the singer's life. The singer acknowledges that they have let the person go, but they cannot forget them. The lyrics reveal that every day, the singer finds themselves unable to forget, constantly thinking about the other person. They plead with the other person to remind them of the memories shared, the love they once had. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "I've been in love" and "I've been in time of light," emphasizing the lasting impact love has had on the singer's life.