Cherry by Rina Sawayama Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Quest for Authentic Love and Identity
Lyrics
Oh, never mind
So won’t you? Will you be my cherry?
So come on talk to me, talk to me
Will you, will you be mine?
1, 2, 3, let’s go
Down the subway, you looked my way
With your girl gaze, with your girl gaze
That was the day everything changed
Couldn’t stay the same
Now it’s Tuesday and I’m thinking
‘Bout to tuck in, ’bout to tuck in
Telling myself that it’s cheating
But it’s something else
Even though I’m satisfied
I lead my life within a lie
Holding onto feelings
I’m not used to feeling
‘Cause, oh, they make me feel alive
When they tell you that you’ve got to stay the same
Even though you’re not yourself
And you’ve got somebody else
When they tell you that you’ve got yourself to blame
Even though it’s not your fault
But your heart just wants to know, know
Down the subway, you looked my way
With your girl gaze, with your girl gaze
That was the day everything changed
Now it’s something else, oh
Even though I’m satisfied
I lead my life within a lie
Holding onto feelings
I’m not used to feeling
‘Cause, oh, they make me feel alive
(Oh, they make me feel alive)
So won’t you? Will you be my cherry?
So come on, talk to me, talk to me
Will you, will you be mine?
I see you watching me, will you be mine baby?
Will I be your cherry?
So come on, talk to me, talk to me
Will you, will you be mine?
With one look you take me back to everything I used to be
When everyone was seventeen with no ID, no ID
Now I wanna love myself
It’s not that us is guaranteed
‘Cause inside I’m still the same me with no ID, no ID
Won’t you be my cherry now?
Even though I’m satisfied
I lead my life within a lie
Holding onto feelings
I’m not used to feeling
‘Cause, oh, they make me feel alive
Oh, they make me feel alive
Even though I’m satisfied
I lead my life within a lie
Holding onto feelings
I’m not used to feeling
‘Cause, oh, they make me feel alive
Oh, they make me feel alive
So won’t you? Will you be my cherry?
So come on, talk to me, talk to me
Will you, will you be mine?
I see you watching me, watching me
Will you be mine baby?
Will I be your cherry?
So come on, talk to me, talk to me
Will you, will you be mine?
I see you watching me, watching me
In the realm of pop music, where the pulse of cultural discourse beats with fervor, Rina Sawayama’s ‘Cherry’ emerges as a poignant anthem of love and self-discovery. The track, with its lush melodies and introspective lyrics, delves into the complexities of identity and the yearning for a love that transcends traditional bounds.
Sawayama’s artistry thrives on candor, and ‘Cherry’ is no exception. She weaves a narrative that is not just personally revelatory but also resonates with anyone grappling with their truth amidst a cacophony of societal expectations. This exploration becomes a balm for those struggling with the dichotomy of genuine self and public facade.
The Sweetness of the Cherry: A Metaphor for True Desire
Rina Sawayama’s ‘Cherry’ offers a lyrical landscape lush with metaphorical fruits. The cherry stands out not only for its sweetness but also for its elusive nature – it is a symbol of rare and true desire. Sawayama questions the listener ‘So won’t you? Will you be my cherry?’ embarking upon a quest for a love that is as authentic as it is profound.
The repeated chorus creates a revelatory plea, showcasing the intensity of Sawayama’s pursuit – a desire not just to experience love but to embody it fully. The cherry represents that pinnacle of passion that is not just tasted but felt deeply in the core of one’s being.
Through the ‘Girl Gaze’: Challenging Conventional Narratives
Rina Sawayama’s use of ‘girl gaze’ turns the tables on the traditional male-dominated perspective in music, introducing a fresh, female-centric viewpoint. This ‘gaze’ prompts a new understanding of attraction and interaction between women, liberating the expression of love from the constraints of heteronormativity.
The moment of encounter on the subway where a mutual ‘girl gaze’ occurs marks a transformative experience for Sawayama, coloring her reality with the hues of newfound feelings that defy the status quo, encouraging listeners to celebrate their own moments of unexpected, unconventional attraction.
The Hidden Struggle: Identity and Nonconformity
Beneath the glossy surface of the track lies a profound struggle with identity. ‘Even though I’m satisfied / I lead my life within a lie’ reveals the internal conflict Sawayama faces as her true self wrestles against the façade deemed acceptable by society.
This tension articulates the artist’s resistance against the suffocating pressure to remain unchanged, despite the growth and realization that inevitably comes from claiming one’s true identity. Sawayama gives voice to the hidden battle of maintaining authenticity in a world that often demands conformity.
Memorable Lines: The Echo of Forbidden Feelings
Lines like ‘I see you watching me, will you be mine baby?’ juxtapose innocence with a bold declaration of desire. The repetition and the tender-yet-defiant tone make these lyrics ones that reverberate long after the song ends, as they encapsulate the theme of openly expressing one’s true feelings.
By contrasting the naivety of the phrase ‘with no ID, no ID,’ Sawayama alludes to the freedom of youth, unencumbered by labels, and the later life challenge to recapture that same sense of unassailed identity and love.
Feeling Alive: The Resonance of Emotional Rawness
The heartbeat of ‘Cherry’ lies in its exploration of the depth of genuine emotion that has been suppressed. ‘Holding onto feelings / I’m not used to feeling’ illustrates the vulnerability and rawness that accompanies the embrace of one’s true self and unconventional love.
When Sawayama sings ‘Oh, they make me feel alive,’ it is not just an individual exultation but a universal declaration. The artist has become an emissary, inviting listeners to let themselves feel intensely and to find life in the honesty of their emotions.
