Kei Sugawara crafts a haunting story of a toxic bond in the song mean. The performer collaborates with lyricist yuigot to draft the words. Together, they also produce a melody that mirrors the lyrical tension.
Released: April 8, 2026
mean
Kei Sugawara
mean Lyrics Translation – Kei Sugawara
Kei Sugawara describes a relationship that is both consuming and destructive. The narrator recalls a partner whose affection was a form of ruin, admitting the darkness whispered that love means to destroy (愛は壊すことだって). The songwriter mixes themes of panic and a desperate plea for this painful connection to be called love.
Aru hi bakemono ga watashi o mite itaOne day, a monster was watching me.
Kuraite medete ichibu ni natte itaIt consumed me, cherished me, and became a part of me.
Chigitte tokashite tobashite tooku eTearing me apart, melting me, and blowing me far away,
Tarinai mada tarinaiit’s not enough, it’s still not enough.
Nagutte kiss shite kowashitemo madaEven if you strike me, kiss me, and break me,
Wakaranai wakaranai keredoI still don’t understand, I just don’t understand, but…
The darkness whispered that love means to destroyThe darkness whispered that love means to destroy.
Yet you touched me as if not to shatter meYet you touched me as if not to shatter me.
The kiss the darkness gave me lingers like a tattooThe kiss the darkness gave me lingers like a tattoo.
But you left nothing but time and went far awayBut you left nothing but time and went far away.
Wakaranai no yo meisuiI just don’t understand this deep slumber.
Nee kocchi muite maydayHey, look at me, it’s a mayday.
Oite itte teidenLeaving me behind in a blackout,
Eien no meidenan eternal maiden.
Asette iru no maydayI’m panicking, it’s a mayday.
Wasureta hon no daimeiIt’s like the title of a forgotten book.
Sennou houkai ai to yonde neeBrainwashing, collapse… hey, please call it love.
Nozoite mite horaLook here, take a peek.
Tarinai mada tarinai no kanaIs it not enough, is it still not enough?
Kawaigatte sono teShower me with affection with those hands.
Hakai nante aa momentDestruction is just a fleeting moment.
Wakatte iru no yoI already know that.
Hontou ni meisui maydayTruly in a deep slumber, mayday.
Yume kara sameta meidenA maiden who woke up from a dream.
Ano ie ni wa kaerenaku natta n deshouI suppose I can never return to that house again.
The darkness whispered that love means toThe darkness whispered that love means to…
Love means toLove means to…
Aru hi bakemono ga watashi o mite itaOne day, a monster was watching me.
Kuraite medete ichibu ni natte itaIt consumed me, cherished me, and became a part of me.
mean Music Video
Looking for the ‘mean’ lyrics translation? It shows a painful understanding of love. Featuring Kei Sugawara, the Japanese song examines a toxic bond.