Zauner released a tape in June 2013 under the solo moniker Japanese Breakfast. The tape was titled June and boasted thirty tracks written and recorded every day of the month. A stark deviation from Little Big League's guitar-based indie rock, it showcased Zauner's dark lyrics, unique vocals and inherent knack for pop melody.
Two bedroom pop cassettes later, Japanese Breakfast returns with a first full-fledged LP and vinyl release, Psychopomp. The album explores Zauner's experimental interests and hosts a wide range of sound: jarring anime samples, minimalist ballads, rhythms and synths reminiscent of Tango in the Night-era Fleetwood Mac paired with the moody intimacy of Mount Eerie. Psychopomp revisits and revamps lo-fi tracks and adds chilling new songs to fall in love with.
In 2019, Japanese Breakfast released two singles under the W Hotels music label, "Essentially" and a cover of the Tears for Fears song, Head Over Heels.
In 2021, Zauner returns, having released three singles to her upcoming album, Jubilee, which will be out on the 4th of June. The singles are Be Sweet, Posing in Bondage, and Savage Good Boy; they were released in this order.
Till Death
Japanese Breakfast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the cruel men continue to win
You reassure me in a way you only can
Get these days to go by like the swaying a ship
Your shape in the dark
Out of state, licensed to me
Public pool, Miller moon
Steering on hostile waves of panic
Like fighting a wheel that pulls to the right
I don't deserve you but I'm giving it my best
Extol your sacrifice with fine caviars and aspics
Your voice in the night
Sing me to sleep, soothe this insomnia
Haunted dreams, stages of grief
Repressed memories, anger and bargaining
Your embrace, healin' my wounds
Teach me to breathe, teach me to move
PTSD, anxiety
Genetic disease, thanatophobia
In Japanese Breakfast's song Till Death, the lyrics address the ongoing struggle of trying to navigate through life's difficulties, such as the constant loss of celebrities and the cruel people who continue to win. The artist seeks solace from their romantic partner who reassures them and helps them cope. The song takes on an intense tone as it builds upon the emotions of fear, anxiety, and trauma.
The lyrics "All our celebrities keep dyin', While the cruel men continue to win" emphasize the significance of loss and the frustration of seeing the same oppressive individuals succeed, which can often leave someone feeling helpless. The reassurance received from their significant other is presented through the lyrics, "You reassure me in a way you only can, Get these days to go by like the swaying a ship." The metaphor of a ship swaying represents the ups and downs of life, and the partner serves as an anchor that helps to ground them.
The artist then goes on to address the turmoil they experience, through lyrics such as, "Steering on hostile waves of panic, Like fighting a wheel that pulls to the right." This can be interpreted as a metaphor for struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety or PTSD. The artist acknowledges the strength of their partner, emphasizing how they don't deserve their love and support, "I don't deserve you but I'm giving it my best, Extol your sacrifice with fine caviars and aspics."
In conclusion, the lyrics of this song address the struggles of mental health and trauma, and the lifeline that someone may seek in the form of their romantic partner. The song paints a picture of loss, frustration, and hopelessness, contrasted with the comforting reassurance that love can provide.
Line by Line Meaning
All our celebrities keep dyin'
Notice how all our beloved stars are leaving us so young
While the cruel men continue to win
Meanwhile, those who take advantage of the weak never seem to lose
You reassure me in a way you only can
You give me a unique kind of comfort that nobody else can provide
Get these days to go by like the swaying a ship
Help me get through these days by making me feel like I'm on a calming boat ride
Your shape in the dark
I can make out your silhouette in the darkness
Out of state, licensed to me
Though you are so far away, I still feel like you are mine
Public pool, Miller moon
We spent a night at the public pool under the light of the moon, a moment I cherish
Don't turn away, I'm still awake
Please don't leave me alone when I'm still battling my restless thoughts
Steering on hostile waves of panic
Navigating through the turbulent tides of anxiety is a perilous task
Like fighting a wheel that pulls to the right
It's like I'm constantly trying to correct an out-of-control steering wheel
I don't deserve you but I'm giving it my best
I know I am not worthy of you, but I am trying my hardest to be good enough
Extol your sacrifice with fine caviars and aspics
I want to honor the sacrifices you've made by giving you the finest things, like caviar and aspics
Your voice in the night
Your voice is a soothing sound in the middle of the night
Sing me to sleep, soothe this insomnia
Sing me to sleep, help me find peace and overcome my insomnia
Haunted dreams, stages of grief
My dreams are haunted by painful memories and the stages of grief that I am going through
Repressed memories, anger and bargaining
I'm struggling with repressed memories and the complicated emotions of anger and bargaining
Your embrace, healin' my wounds
Your embrace is the healing balm that makes all the pain go away
Teach me to breathe, teach me to move
Help me learn how to breathe again and how to carry on with life's journey
PTSD, anxiety
I'm dealing with PTSD and anxiety that are causing me so much anguish
Genetic disease, thanatophobia
I'm also dealing with a genetic disease and the fear of death that comes with it
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Michelle Chongmi Zauner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind