Rina began collaborating with London-based producer Hoost and released her debut single βSleeping In Wakingβ in 2013. In 2016, she was included in The Fader's 13 Artists You Need To Know About In 2017. Her debut EP βRINAβ was released in 2017.
In 2018, she released the new single βValentineβ on Valentineβs Day. The music video for album track βOrdinary Superstarβ was released in June 2018. In August 2018, Sawayama released the track βCherryβ, in which she explores her sexual identity. Sawayama embarked on her βOrdinary Superstar Tourβ 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 βSTFU!β, which is based on her experiences of micro-aggressions as an Asian woman. The album's third single βXSβ, 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, βSAWAYAMAβ 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 βChosen Familyβ.
Rina would embark on the βDynasty Tourβ for the album in 2021 after being delayed a year. Soon after in May 2022, Rina announced her sophomore album βHold The Girlβ, scheduled for a September 2nd release, along with the lead single βThis Hellβ, 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 βCatch Me In The Airβ, the title track, βPhantomβ and βHurricanesβ 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 βHold The Girl Tourβ 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 βHold The Girl Tour - Reloadedβ, beginning in June 2023, and rounding up the tour and era in October of the same year.
Many of Sawayamaβs 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 βBeg For Youβ gave Rina her first top 40 hit in the UK. In September 2023, Empress Of released her single βKiss Meβ featuring Sawayama.
This Time Last Year
Rina Sawayama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
there was a twinkle in your eye
while you stared into the fire was a love affair
but that was then this time last year
this time last year
we raised our glasses to night
oh i was your family and she wowed my eye
but this time this year
im running circles round the thoughts of you my dear
i should've realized the end was drawing near
we acted out of fear see
well now it's over
this time last year
while the amber lights were shinning so bright
i held a hope that we would be alright
but that was then this time last year
The lyrics of Rina Sawayama's song This Time Last Year speak about a relationship that has gone awry. The opening lines describe the time when the two people were in love, looking into each other's eyes, and enjoying a romantic atmosphere as they sat by the fire. It seems like they were in a love affair at that point. However, the chorus reminds us that this was all in the past and that things have changed. The next lines describe another time last year when they raised their glasses to a night when they were each other's family. The third verse indicates that things have gone sour between them, and the singer is running circles around the thoughts of the person they were with last year. They should have realized that the relationship was not going to last, but they acted out of fear. Now the relationship is over.
It seems like the singer had hoped that things would work out between them, even when the amber lights were shining bright. However, that was then, and this is now, and they seem to have realized that things have changed irreversibly. The song seems to be about nostalgia, regret, and the passing of time. The singer remembers the good times they had a year ago but also acknowledges that it's over now. The lyrics leave us with the feeling that time is fleeting and that emotions can change with it. The fact that the song is called This Time Last Year highlights the theme of nostalgia and the passing of time.
Line by Line Meaning
this time last year
Referring to a year ago from the present moment
there was a twinkle in your eye
You had a sparkle in your eye, suggesting happiness and excitement
while you stared into the fire was a love affair
As you looked into the fire, it was like a metaphorical representation of a burning love affair that we had
but that was then this time last year
That was in the past, but now it's a year later
we raised our glasses to night
We toasted to the night and the memories that we were making
oh i was your family and she wowed my eye
I played a significant role in your life and there was another person who caught my attention
but this time this year
Now that it's the present moment, things have changed
im running circles round the thoughts of you my dear
I'm constantly thinking about you, but my thoughts seem to be leading nowhere
i should've realized the end was drawing near
I should have seen the signs that the relationship was coming to an end
we acted out of fear see
We made decisions based on fear of the unknown
well now it's over
The relationship has come to an end
while the amber lights were shinning so bright
The warm, yellow lights were glowing brilliantly
i held a hope that we would be alright
I had a wishful thinking that everything would work out fine for us
but that was then this time last year
That was in the past, but now it's a year later
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wendy Heffernan
[Verse 1]
This time last year
There was a twinkle in your eye
While you stared into the fire was a love affair
But that was then this time last year
[Verse 2]
This time last year
We raised our glasses to the night
Oh, I was your family and you were mine
But that was then this time last year
[Chorus]
But this time this year
I'm running circles round the thoughts of you, my dear
I should've realized the end was drawing near
We acted out of fear, see
Well, now it's over
{Verse 3]
This time last year
While the amber lights were shinning so bright
I held a hope that we would be alright
But that was then this time last year
[Outro]
This time last year
I thought I knew everything
Wendy Heffernan
This Time Last Year
Rina Sawayama
βThis Time Last Yearβ is a Christmas song about the political landscape of 2016 and serves asβ¦ read more Β»
THIS TIME LAST YEAR LYRICS
[Verse 1]
This time last year
There was a twinkle in your eye
While you stared into the fire was a love affair
But that was then this time last year
[Verse 2]
This time last year
We raised our glasses to the night
Oh, I was your family and you were mine
But that was then this time last year
[Chorus]
But this time this year
I'm running circles round the thoughts of you, my dear
I should've realized the end was drawing near
We acted out of fear, see
Well, now it's over
{Verse 3]
This time last year
While the amber lights were shinning so bright
I held a hope that we would be alright
But that was then this time last year
[Outro]
This time last year
I thought I knew everything
honey bot
This time last year
There was a twinkle in your eye
When you stared into the fire was a love affair
But that was then, this time last year
This time last year
We raised our glasses to the night
Oh, I was your family and you were mine
But that was then, this time last year
But this time this year
I'm running circles 'round the thoughts of you, my dear
I should've realized the end was drawing near
We acted out of fear, see
Well, now it's over
This time last year
While the amber lights were shining so bright
I held a hope that we would be alright
But that was then, this time last year
This time last year
I thought I knew everything
Hekatris Plays
You have such a beautiful voice, sharp wit, and conscious soul that shines through in your music... The production quality of your content is amazing for such an obscure artist. I can't wait to see what you do next. The niche you're creating is one that many, many people have been clamoring for.
matthew lin
@7Mushrooms7 cause they loved it so much
7Mushrooms7
@Jemy Loren Why?
Jemy Loren
i can tell you were shookt when sawayama came out
shel b
3 years ago woah
Wendy Heffernan
[Verse 1]
This time last year
There was a twinkle in your eye
While you stared into the fire was a love affair
But that was then this time last year
[Verse 2]
This time last year
We raised our glasses to the night
Oh, I was your family and you were mine
But that was then this time last year
[Chorus]
But this time this year
I'm running circles round the thoughts of you, my dear
I should've realized the end was drawing near
We acted out of fear, see
Well, now it's over
{Verse 3]
This time last year
While the amber lights were shinning so bright
I held a hope that we would be alright
But that was then this time last year
[Outro]
This time last year
I thought I knew everything
qrkadiy
another underrated bop. the world needs to WAKE UP and APPRECIATE RINA SAWAYAMA
KEWISH
Such beautiful Christmas vibes I'm sensing.
Dee Carter
Loving this... A beautiful song about the pain of reminiscing.
Adriana Danish
cries because it feels like forever waiting for new music. But i respect artist that take time to produce their music/art at their own pace instead of aiming for the hype and feeding the mainstream pop cultureβ£οΈ