Rina began collaborating with London-based producer Hoost and released her debut single ’Sleeping In Waking’ in 2013. In 2016, she was included in The Fader's 13 Artists You Need To Know About In 2017. Her debut EP ’RINA’ was released in 2017.
In 2018, she released the new single ’Valentine’ on Valentine’s Day. The music video for album track ’Ordinary Superstar’ was released in June 2018. In August 2018, Sawayama released the track ’Cherry’, in which she explores her sexual identity. Sawayama embarked on her ‘Ordinary Superstar Tour’ across the UK and United States in late 2018.
In 2019, Rina began to rollout of her debut full-length album, starting with the single ‘STFU!’, which is based on her experiences of micro-aggressions as an Asian woman. The album's third single ’XS’, which serves as a satirical criticism of modern capitalism, was released in March 2020, and was well received, helping her get her name more known. The album, ’SAWAYAMA’ was finally released on April 17, and went onto become one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year. It was praised for its mix of genres, wide range of influences and vocal performances. The project made multiple end-of-year lists, notably ranking #1 on The Line Of Best Fit's list. The album was also loved by musical icon Elton John, who would then go on to feature on a new duet version of the single ‘Chosen Family’.
Rina would embark on the ‘Dynasty Tour’ for the album in 2021 after being delayed a year. Soon after in May 2022, Rina announced her sophomore album ’Hold The Girl’, scheduled for a September 2nd release, along with the lead single ‘This Hell’, which puts a fun spin on negative stigma towards the LGBTQ+ community. The album's release was pushed back to September 16th, with the singles ’Catch Me In The Air’, the title track, ’Phantom’ and ‘Hurricanes’ being released in the run up. The record also garnered positive reviews upon release, and debuted at #3 on the UK charts, Rina's first time charting this high. The ‘Hold The Girl Tour’ began in October 2022, and ended in February of the following year. This tour was followed up by a second run of North America, titled ‘Hold The Girl Tour - Reloaded’, beginning in June 2023, and rounding up the tour and era in October of the same year.
Many of Sawayama’s tracks are co-written and produced by Clarence Clarity. She has also collaborated with the likes of Shamir, Bree Runway, and Charli XCX, the latter of which's collaboration ’Beg For You’ gave Rina her first top 40 hit in the UK. In September 2023, Empress Of released her single ‘Kiss Me’ featuring Sawayama.
Enter Sandman
Rina Sawayama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
'Til the sandman he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of Snow White
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite (yeah)
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
Oh, exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
In Rina Sawayama's rendition of Metallica's "Enter Sandman," the lyrics take on a haunting and introspective tone. The opening lines immediately establish a parental figure, instructing a child to say their prayers and remember to include everyone, suggesting a sense of protection and care. The reference to the Sandman, a mythical character associated with bringing sleep, further emphasizes the theme of innocence and vulnerability.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into darker themes. The mention of heavy thoughts and dreams of war, liars, and dragon's fire sets a sinister atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the initial sense of security. It highlights the internal struggles and fears that can invade one's mind even in the seemingly safe realm of sleep.
The bridge of the song shifts to a more traditional bedtime prayer, with the singer seeking protection and guidance from the Lord. However, there's a subtle twist as they acknowledge the presence of "beasts under your bed" and in their closet, suggesting a metaphorical representation of the demons and fears that haunt them.
Overall, Rina Sawayama's interpretation of "Enter Sandman" explores the juxtaposition between innocence and darkness, touching on themes of protection, inner turmoil, and the complex nature of fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Say your prayers, little one
Take a moment for introspection and reflection, my dear
Don't forget, my son
Remember always, my child
To include everyone
Incorporate everyone, without exclusion
Tuck you in, warm within
Safely settle you in, where you feel secure and protected
Keep you free from sin
Ensure you remain untainted by wrongdoing
Til the sandman he comes
Until the peaceful dreams arrive
Sleep with one eye open
Rest with a vigilant awareness
Gripping your pillow tight
Clutch your pillow tightly, seeking comfort
Exit light
Leave behind the brightness and certainty
Enter night
Embrace the obscurity and uncertainty of the darkness
Take my hand
Allow me to guide you
We're off to never never land
Together, we embark on an imagined, unreachable world
Something's wrong, shut the light
Sensations of uneasiness, extinguishing the source of illumination
Heavy thoughts tonight
Weighty musings weighing heavily on the mind this evening
And they aren't of Snow White
Not the innocent and pure fantasies of fairy tales
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Visions of conflicts, illusions spun by deceivers
Dreams of dragon's fire
Imagined scenes of mythical creatures breathing flames
And of things that will bite (yeah)
And of things that will sink their teeth into you
Now I lay me down to sleep
As I prepare to rest my body for slumber
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I beseech the divine entity to protect my eternal essence
If I die before I wake
In the event of my demise prior to awakening
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I implore the Lord to escort my soul into the afterlife
Hush little baby, don't say a word
Remain quiet, my beloved child
And never mind that noise you heard
Pay no attention to the sounds that reached your ears
It's just the beasts under your bed
Merely the imagined creatures lurking beneath your sleeping surface
In your closet, in your head
Residing both within your wardrobe and your mind
Grain of sand
Tiny element of the earth
Oh, exit light
Ah, the departure from illumination
Enter night
Welcome the arrival of darkness
Take my hand
Accept my extended hand
We're off to never never land
Together, we venture towards the realm beyond reality
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Hatfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
adam hughes
she better perform this on tour
Christopher
This didn’t age well..
Dankness Dank
@adam hughes 😭
adam hughes
@Dankness Dank let’s not talk about this i’m still upset hahaha
Dankness Dank
Well
hey ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
omg that would be epic
Erin Thomson
So nice of her to cover smaller bands <3
BENYOBEST
cringe comment
why my name is no
@Yasmin S. Hermina its a joke
why my name is no
@galinmeric its literally a joke