detour - English lyrics + explanation

[Verse1]
I saw from outside the ticket gate-
The shadow of the last train dancing in the night.
In my hand, a rusty ten-yen coin
I clenched it and turned away

[Pre-chorus 1]
By an oversized sweater
I am embraced.

[Verse2]
I wandered around the city with no destination.
The faded melody sung by the countless stars dancing in the sky
Vanished and became an afterglow

[Pre-chorus 2]
I make my mouth water with a melting chocolate
And I waver. 

[Chorus]
Idiot, don’t drown in the neon lights of the city
I won't let you cross that line. 
In the middle of the crosswalk, I see the fluttering sign
And I come to my senses

[Bridge] 
Tell myself its alright
I have nothing to lose
I loosen my fist and let the coin fly
Is it about time to go home?

[Chorus]
Idiot, don't drown in the whirlpool of self-conscience.
I won't let you cross that line. 
In the twilight of my thickening white breath
Trusting in my compass, I walk

Ah
In the middle of the crosswalk, I see the fluttering sign
And I come to my senses

Hi

Hi, it's me:)

I am writing this blog because I want to show that I care about my English-speaking friends too.

I am not the best at expressing myself in English, and I have to admit that I feel very insecure writing/posting this. As I write more in English, I hope I can become more confident in making English content.

For "detour", the first song I ever fully produced, I wanted to write in Japanese, because it is the language I feel the most comfortable expressing myself with. I think it celebrates the beginning of my long journey and "detour" ahead as a musician.

Why did I write a song about "detour"? 

I don't think "adulthood day 1" ever exists. In reality, adulting is a long, brutal, emotional, messy, frustrating process, and involves A LOT of self-reflection.

I like quirky things that do not belong to the mainstream.
I don't want to care too much about what others would say because it's my life. 
The neon lights of the city are kinda tempting to go see, but I have my own stuff to do.

But, as I get older, I also started to realize that I need to be more independent and responsible for my life. There is a part of me that cares about where I stand in society and how I am being perceived by other people. 
Is becoming an adult about accepting the fact that reputation, prestige, and title matter? 

I don't think these things have to be mutually exclusive or have a binary answer, and it is okay to be in the midst of everything. On some days I may do some adult things, on some other days I will behave like a child. 

Life is not a single linear path- there are so many ways we can take a detour.
Things that were not intended to happen sometimes lead us to the right place. 
Cherish those spontaneous and unplanned moments!
Might as well make many mistakes, and, if we really screw up, we can always decide to go home too.

This "in-betweenness" is at the heart of the song "detour".

I hope I made any sense and please feel free to let me know how I can improve my writing too, I am open to constructive criticism hehe.

In the future, I want to be able to make English songs too:)

Last but not least.

Thank you for reading this!

Thanks to everyone that listened to my song and supported me in making this happen.

Thank you, for asking about my songs sometimes and encouraging me to keep doing what I love. 

And, thank you for loving me even if music were to be taken away from me.

Stream "detour"