Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “グロテスク” by Ken Hirai
‘グロテスク’ is a song by Ken Hirai that speaks of a love that is unconventional, dark, and beautiful. The song is in stark contrast to a conventional love song given its dark and distorted imagery. The lyrics tell a story of being in love with someone who can’t be yours: “It’s a grotesque love, like torturing the ultimate masterpiece. I’m drawn to you no matter how filthy and dirty it is.”
The metaphor of painting a “masterpiece” stands in to reference the person in the song’s life. The song speaks of beauty existing in times of darkness and tragedy, and that in spite of its imperfections, it is still something one feels a need to cling onto. The song conveys that while the love may not be perfect, it’s worth engaging in because of its beauty and intensity.
The chorus talks of holding onto something in spite of being unable to have it:
“Ah, I can’t possess beauty It’s a grotesque love, and even though it’s sorrowful, I still cling onto it”
Ultimately, ‘グロテスク’ serves as a reminder that love doesn’t always have to be perfect, and that sometimes the most beautiful things come from times of hardship and tragedy.