TMT by STRAY KIDS Lyrics Meaning – Exploring The Parallels Between Ambition and Anxiety
Lyrics
평소처럼 밤하늘을 바라봐
난 왜 별이 많아지고 더 반짝일수록
더 초조해지고 안달이 날까 yeah
요즘 따라 저 별들이 나를 내려보는 듯 기분이 나빠
부는 바람 따라갈 걸 그랬나 역풍을 맞으며 뒤처진 걸까 나
아무나 못 된대
난 아무나가 아니라고 외쳐 매일
나도 알아 내 상황 처지
그래도 난 이 길을 계속 걷지
가도 가도 제자리걸음 treadmill
이 데자뷰는 반갑지 않아 괴롭지
두 개의 길 위기와 기회 중
내가 온 이 길은 위기인 걸까 모르는 척 계속 되묻지
반짝이는 저 별처럼 되고 싶다고
다 저 별이 될 순 없으니까 bling bling
떨어지는 저 별처럼 나도 떨어질까 봐 또 겁나
I guess I’ll never ever find out
별생각이 들어
갈까 말까 yah
별생각이 들어
별생각 다 하는 난
갈 길을 정해도 왜 헤맬까
저 별을 바라보면서 달렸지만
내 갈 길은 막막해서 또 겁나
저 별처럼 될 수 있을까
너무 멀리 와버린 걸까 yeah
뒤를 돌아봐도 똑같아 yeah
어두운 곳에서 난 빛나는 별 하나만 의지하면서 걸어왔는데
알아 내 의지와 선택으로 걸어 걸어왔던 길이지만
자꾸 다른 곳에 눈이 돌아가
미련일까 진짜 안 되는 걸 알지만 후회로 바뀔까 두렵다
Ey 누가 안 될 걸 알면서 도전하겠어
들어와 보니까 다칠 때가 많아
그래도 열심히 하는 척은 한다만
혹시 뒷걸음질 치면 누군가 난 무책임하다 손가락질할까
별을 바라보고 왔던 길은 점점
울창한 숲 사이로 가려져 정적
혹시 내가 바라봤던 별은 이미
유성처럼 떨어진 건 아닐까 두려워져
반짝이는 저 별처럼 되고 싶다고
다 저 별이 될 순 없으니까 bling bling
떨어지는 저 별처럼 나도 떨어질까 봐 또 겁나
I guess I’ll never ever find out
별생각이 들어
갈까 말까 yah
별생각이 들어
별생각 다 하는 난
솔직히 내가 선택한 건 맞는데
내 마음대로 안 될까 봐 불안해
날 둘러싸는 기대만 더 커져
더 기대다간 넘어질까 두려워
Woah woah woah woah woah (hey)
뒤돌아 가볼까
Woah woah woah woah woah (hey)
뒤돌아보지 마
갈까 말까 yeah
별생각 다 하는 난
갈 길을 정해도 왜 헤맬까
저 별을 바라보면서 달렸지만
내 갈 길은 막막해서 또 겁나
저 별처럼 될 수 있을까
In the realm of music, few songs capture the intricate dance between ambition and the accompanying anxiety quite like STRAY KIDS’s ‘TMT.’ Serving as a poignant narrative of the trials faced by dream-chasers, ‘TMT’ juxtaposes the allure of starry aspirations with the fear of falling or, worse, stagnation.
Embedded within its verses and beat is a psychological odyssey, one that many listeners will find curiously relatable. Such vulnerability and honed introspection necessitate a deeper dive into the lyrics to extract the hidden meanings and potent messages that define STRAY KIDS’s artistry.
A Sky Full of Stars: A Metaphor for Dreams and Disquietude
At first glance, the sky may seem a universal blanket of comfort, nurturing dreams as stars blanket the night. Yet, in ‘TMT,’ STRAY KIDS flips this comforting image on its head. The more the stars twinkle, the greater the anxiety becomes. The brilliance of others exacerbates the sense of urgency, a fear of being left behind in the celestial race.
It’s the juxtaposition of admiration and comparison where ‘TMT’ finds its core theme. As the stars ‘stare down,’ the implied judgement and weight of expectation can either motivate or cripple an individual. Such is the paradox of the night sky: an inspiration turned into an arena for self-doubt.
The Treadmill Synecdoche: Running in Place Yet Yearning for Progress
The metaphor of life as a treadmill forms the thematic backbone of ‘TMT.’ Stray Kids spotlight the frustration of ceaseless effort with seemingly no forward movement, an experience often shared by those grappling with the disconnect between aspirations and reality.
This notion of endless running without destination or reward is not merely about physical exhaustion but an emotional purgatory. By choosing such a vivid metaphor, STRAY KIDS amplifies the duality of persistence and futility that can consume the spirit of even the most tenacious.
Unraveling The Song’s Hidden Meaning: Fear of Falling Stars
The fear of a falling star, as expressed in ‘TMT,’ is emblematic of the internal struggle faced by those in pursuit of greatness. It’s the dread of plummeting from the heavens after daring to reach such heights, embracing the risk inherent in the relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
There is a persistent tension between longing to shine like the stars and the terror of losing one’s luminescence. STRAY KIDS doesn’t shy away from acknowledging this potent duality that often goes unspoken. Their candidness is what makes the song resonate deeply with an audience grappling with the same silent battles.
Memorable Lines: The Lament of The Lightseekers
Lines such as ‘I guess I’ll never ever find out’ reflect an existential lament, a recognition of life’s uncertainties. They cut deep for those perpetually caught in the limbo of ‘should I stay or should I go,’ highlighting the universal human tension between comfort zones and the unknown.
‘Gal giri jeonghaedo wae hemaellka’ (‘Even if I decide on a path, why do I get lost?’) speaks to the indecision plaguing those who chase dreams, questioning the challenges they face, even with clear goals in mind. It’s the poignant expression of internal conflict that adds depth to the lyrical composition.
Navigating The Dichotomy of Desire and Distress
In ‘TMT,’ STRAY KIDS articulates the anguish of being influenced by surrounding expectations and their magnification of one’s fears. Their inner conflict is tangibly presented as they contemplate turning back, yet are propelled to move forward by their undying ambition.
The dichotomy between the lure of return to safety and the drive to venture into the uncertain emerges as a relatable crisis. It is captured with raw emotional precision, offering a mirror to the audience’s own struggles with the balancing act of ambition and anxiety.
