maze of memories by STRAY KIDS Lyrics Meaning – Navigating the Complex Psyche of a Pop Phenomenon
Lyrics
마치 내 꿈처럼 day and night
잠시 내 목마를 태워
나의 추억들을 밖으로 던진다
이건 마치 각본 없는 drama
생각 못 한 결말 나와
예전의 맘속을 덮었던 먼지가
이제는 내 꿈을 짓눌러 now
Throwback 까만 밤들을 집어삼켜
이제는 내가 가져가는 태양의 붉은 빛이
그 담에는 차가운 새벽에
외로이 뜬 달 보며 얼굴을 뒤덮어 심취
검은 색칠하듯
머릿속에 타올라 가 가득해져
물음표가 나를 탓 탓
이제는 보이지 않는 답을 위해서 달려
Running on my mind 하지만 속은 더 답답해
이건 내 내일을 위한 격투
지금 내 상태 마치 어제의 미래를 본 듯해 yeah
미소를 씩 남에게 빌빌거리며 한숨을 픽
지금은 오늘의 나는 날 보는 것처럼
잠깐의 고요가 휭
걸음걸이가 느려질수록
날 부추기는 바람
Ayy, turn up with this 방랑
잠시 동안 내게 잠든 시간을 줘
내 삶에 더해 오답 같은 정답을 내게 show
지금 내게 보이는 것
다 거짓말이야 이건
돌아도 같은 시간 속 머물러있어
시퍼런 하늘 아래 붉게 타는 우리 노래
붉게 타는 우리 노래 앞을 막는 거친 모래바람
타고 날아오는 먹이 사냥하는 고래 그렇다고 먹일 줄 수는 없어
나는 원래 그래
여기저기 돌들이 다
날아오면 칼로 칭칭 다 베어버린 다음
티끌로 만들어 티끌로 태산을 만들어
다 되돌려준다
끓어 올라 주전자에 담긴 화
끌어 올려 거기 화에 갇힌 날
그 화가 꽃이었음 좋겠네
불바다 말고 꽃밭 이었음 해
도로 위에 악마들이 떠들어대네
복잡함의 공기 중에 떠도는 내 뇌
그 뇌를 낚아챈 건 높이 나는 새네
그 새의 등 뒤에 타 나는 비행해
Hah, I’ma look back
I’ma look back to the future in fact
Let me examine the progress
The demons that tried to suffocate the road to success
I’ma look forward into the sea
Oblivious sea I call “history”
Thunderous waves that rage
Destroying the maze of memories I wanna see
Jeez, and so, should I give up
But really, can I give up
We live in a time and space
A world full of blinds
It makes me wanna give up
But then again, no I shouldn’t give up
I feel it inside, don’t wanna give up
We live in a time and space
A world full of blinds
Now I’ve had enough
Calling out for help on this carousel
Life is like a dare or an open fair
I just wanna tell, tell the citadel
Dream (dream, dream)
Empire, campfire
Unpile old files, set fire
Rise higher, go wild and chase my dream (dream)
That’s why I
Never give up
Never give up
내 말을 들어 난 조금 달라 never give up
Never give up
Never give up
내일을 보고 조금 더 달려 never give up
Stray Kids, the South Korean powerhouse, weaves a compelling psychodrama in ‘Maze of Memories,’ a track from their fourth EP, ‘Clé 1: MIROH.’ Like a pulsating heartbeat behind their quest for identity and artistic integrity, the song navigates an intricate labyrinth of self-reflection and resilience. It’s a raw unraveling of their inner journey painted against the relentless march of time—a dualistic dance between the past and the future.
Unfolding through aggressive rap verses and a hauntingly unblemished chorus, ‘Maze of Memories’ exposes the vulnerability beneath the bravado. Embellished with intricate wordplay and heavy-hitting beats, the track isn’t just an exhibition of lyrical prowess but a canvas where Stray Kids offsload their existential angst and fiercely claustrophobic sense of self.
The Haunting Race Against Time
From the outset, ‘Maze of Memories’ sets a pace that mirrors the fast-moving trajectory of Stray Kids’ stardom. As the lyrics sprint forward, ‘time runs like my dreams,’ they encapsulate an almost Sisyphean rush against the hours, suggesting both their relentless work ethic and the ephemeral nature of success.
The members grapple with their aspirations, throwing their ‘memories out’—possibly referencing the sacrifices made for their craft. They spit verses that refuse to bow to the pressures that each tick of the clock presents, giving listeners a pounding echo of their adrenaline-fueled lives.
Navigating the Scriptless Drama of Self
Stray Kids traverse their internal narrative—the ‘drama without a script’—ruminating on the unexpected turns in the plot of their own lives. Striving for a goal, only to have ‘dust that covered the heart’ now ‘weighing down on my dreams’ depicts the unforeseen emotional toll their journey has taken, where childhood naivety meets the harsh reality of fame.
This metaphorical dust reflects their underlying fears and struggles. Struggle morphs into fuel for their artistic flames, as the past’s darkness is devoured by the present’s ‘red light of the sun,’ signifying hope and rebirth from their personal eclipse.
Rhymes that Pierce the Illusion
Stray Kids challenge the grand illusion with a dexterity that belies their years. ‘What I see now, all of it is a lie’, they assert, unmasking the mirages that life often presents. This verse conveys the confusion between reality and perception, a muddling truth of an industry that often blurs the lines.
With each lap around this metaphoric maze, they confront the cyclical nature of their experiences, ‘returning to the same time over and over,’ perhaps addressing the inescapable loop of public and personal expectations that comes with their artform.
Unveiling the Song’s Hidden Tapestry
Beneath the visceral impact of ‘Maze of Memories’ lies a rich tapestry of allegory and introspection. Stray Kids preemptively slice through the onslaught of hurdles with their ‘sword,’ turning obstacles to dust—creating ‘mountains from specks.’ This symbolism draws a vivid picture of their rise from obscurity to prominence, crafting a musical empire from the ground up.
The song’s imagery evokes the primal fierceness in their journey—of serpents on roads, brains adrift, and birds high in flight—depicting both the predators they face and the freedom they seek.
Memorable Lines that Fuel the Burning Desire
‘Never give up, never give up, hear my words, I am a bit different, never give up,’ is more than a catchy hook; it’s the staunch rallying cry of Stray Kids’ tenacity. A declaration of their unique path in the often homogenized terrain of pop music, this chant-like repetition serves as a captivating mantra for their relentless pursuit toward a dreamed tomorrow.
With ‘I see the future and run a little more, never give up,’ they’re not just astutely chronicling their tale; they’re also professing an unyielding resolution. A portrayal of dreams as beacons into the future, Stray Kids encapsulate the spirit of a generation—undaunted by the repetitiveness of the ‘maze’ and unwavering in the face of despair.
