Exploring Themes in 'The Clouds and the Ghost'

Aug 2, 2024

Notes on "The Clouds and the Ghost" by Yorushika

Overview

  • Artist: Yorushika
  • Lyrics, Composition, Arrangement: n-buna
  • Vocal: suis
  • Music Video Directed by: Paprika

Themes

  • Existence and Presence: The narrator expresses feelings of being like a ghost, reflecting on their presence in the life of someone they care about.
  • Nostalgia and Memory: The narrator recalls past moments, such as sitting at a bus stop and childhood memories at the beach and shopping stalls.
  • Connection to Nature: Observations of the sky, clouds, and night evoke a sense of place and longing.
  • Isolation: The narrator feels detached, watching someone from afar yet unable to interact.

Imagery

  • “Studio-apartment-sized earth”: A metaphorical description of the narrator's small, confined world, suggesting a feeling of limitation.
  • “Pale shadows of the trees”: Sets a melancholic tone, emphasizing solitude and the passing of time.
  • “Light trap”: Refers to lights that attract bugs, symbolizing the allure of life and the inevitable death that follows.
  • “Storm clouds”: Represents emotional turmoil; watching them brings pain and a wish for escape.

Key Lines

  • "I’ve become a ghost, and tomorrow I’ll go to see you": Establishes the main premise; the narrator prepares to visit someone significant.
  • "Even without seeing anything, Even without saying anything, Even without anyone noticing, I still know": Highlights the narrator’s awareness of their surroundings and emotions despite feeling invisible.
  • "The sky I looked up at was blue": A nostalgic reference linked to their memories of shared moments.
  • "The clouds are far away, see? It really is unbelievable that the clouds at night are so high": Suggests both beauty and distance, emphasizing feelings of separation.

Questions Raised

  • What will the narrator do upon seeing this person?: The uncertainty around their action implies a deeper emotional conflict.
  • Will the person remember the narrator?: Questions about memory and impact on others linger throughout the song.

Conclusion

  • The song combines themes of nostalgia, presence, and the complexities of human emotions, wrapped in poetic imagery and reflective questions.