Nena
Sui Generis Lyrics

The lyrics of "Nena" by Sui Generis paint a vivid picture of longing, loneliness, and a desire for connection. The song starts by introducing the listener to a character named "Nena", with the mention that "Nena" means "baby" in English. The singer expresses a desire to see Nena's face shining like that of a black slave, smiling eagerly. This imagery of brightness and joy contrasts with the singer's own feelings of being far from home and alone, without anyone to accompany them as they face the morning and the challenges ahead. The mention of needing an injection before their heart rots and their cold bones heat up adds a sense of urgency and desperation to the lyrics.

As the song progresses, the singer expresses a desire to see Nena naked on a day when bodies are paraded, hinting at a longing for intimacy and vulnerability amidst a world that seems to offer salvation from something unclear. The mention of an endless highway with meaningless signs adds to the feeling of being lost and overwhelmed by the vastness of the world. The singer's plea for Nena to laugh and treat everything as just a game, or to end their suffering at noon, reflects a sense of existential angst and a yearning for resolution or escape from their struggles.

The imagery shifts to a more intimate setting as the singer describes entering a room and feeling drawn to Nena who is lying close to them. The desire to stay and wait for the shadows to disappear suggests a longing for a moment of peace and intimacy amidst the darkness that surrounds them. The mention of the singer's blue cloak, long hair, and the symbolism of being "white" and burning the candles of anchored ships in frozen seas adds layers of symbolism and metaphor, hinting at themes of purity, transformation, and destruction.

The song concludes with a reflection on a difficult winter and the singer's feeling of having left their shadow in an underground place. The mention of Nena's legs growing longer and the inability to turn back symbolizes a sense of irreversible change and the passing of time. The mention of the city laughing at them adds a touch of bitterness and resignation to the singer's plight. Overall, "Nena" by Sui Generis explores themes of longing, isolation, intimacy, and the search for meaning and connection in a world that often feels cold and unforgiving.