Cold Summer
ZAZEN BOYS Lyrics

The lyrics to Zazen Boys' "Cold Summer" describe the start of summer vacation in a city and the chaos that comes along with it. Children and rowdy individuals fill the streets, painting the city in an unhealthy color. What was once a transparent colorless city is now obliterated with a red tint. However, this summer is different - it's a "cold summer" that chills one's internal organs to the point of freezing. The singer stares down the sun and its attempt to steal their body warmth. The second half of the song takes a turn in tone, as it shifts towards the Japanese custom of honoring one's ancestors during Obon season. It features the imagery of glowing lanterns and burning incense to guide the spirits of the dead back home. The singer, concerned about their ancestors not being able to return home should the incense be extinguished, takes it upon themselves to rekindle the flame. The song's intermingling of the present moment of summer with the tradition of honoring the dead creates a unique blend of themes.

One interesting element of "Cold Summer" is the use of "半透明" (hantoumei), which translates to 'semi-transparent' or 'semi-opaque,' to describe the original state of the city. The word is less common than "透明" (toumei), which directly translates to 'transparent,' as it suggests a level of obstruction or "un-clarity." Additionally, the song's lyrics feature an interplay between colors and their meaning - the red of the city symbolizes the chaos and unhealthiness brought upon by summer break, while the lanterns described in the second half are said to glow "暖色" (danshoku), which means 'warm colors.' The dual use of color creates an interesting contrast when looking at the song as a whole.