[H] The meaning behind "count down"?

Spartayu · #1 25th May 2010, 01:22 PM

Hello there. I was just curious about the song, "count down", I've read the lyrics in English, but I do not really understand what Miss Hamasaki tried to convey her feelings in this song.

Anyone knows the actual meaning behind this song?

Spoiler:

Mirrorcle Monster · #2 25th May 2010, 01:52 PM

I´ve read that is about her ear

Andrenekoi · #3 25th May 2010, 01:58 PM

Her deafness

Raiu-Ayu · #4 25th May 2010, 02:05 PM

yeah I'm pretty sure its about her left ear.

I think she's basically saying that, although she is considered legally deaf, she can still hear a tiny bit in her ear, She knows eventually that she won't be able to hear at all in it, hence a 'count down' of sorts. It also implies that she understands this and accepts it and will continue on.

The line that really interests me is:
"Supposing you are in the abyss
All that is left is to go up"
From this it seems that ayu feels that she has been at the lowest point in her life and so therefore there is nowhere but up from this place.

Despite being quite a sad song, it also has quite a hopeful meaning

AyuWorld · #5 25th May 2010, 02:27 PM

actually im quite confius with the lyrics so yeah its about her deafness,thanx for clearing this ^^

Spartayu · #6 25th May 2010, 02:34 PM

That is so inspirational... Always listen to this whenever you get a fall in your life

As respected always...

Keiichi_JPU · #7 25th May 2010, 02:57 PM

I like to think a person's "left side" is some sort of empty spot for a partner / lover. That's why she sings

I'll be on your left side,
I need nothing else

I think it's a bitter-sweet love-song (god that sounds cheezy)
I don't connect it to her hearing problems.

But that's just my opinion, the way I see it

AngelSenshi · #8 25th May 2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiu-Ayu

yeah I'm pretty sure its about her left ear.

I think she's basically saying that, although she is considered legally deaf, she can still hear a tiny bit in her ear, She knows eventually that she won't be able to hear at all in it, hence a 'count down' of sorts. It also implies that she understands this and accepts it and will continue on.

The line that really interests me is:
"Supposing you are in the abyss
All that is left is to go up"
From this it seems that ayu feels that she has been at the lowest point in her life and so therefore there is nowhere but up from this place.

Despite being quite a sad song, it also has quite a hopeful meaning

I agree with this.

There's potential for it getting worse, but she knows that even if it'll be tough, she's already seen things at their worst, she knows that while one great bad thing will happen, something good will surely happen; she can only move up from the horrible things.

She's got people beside her to get through the whole thing of her hearing going and she knows they won't leave her because they're the people that were there for her in even worse times.

The meaning of count down is quite deep; I think it really is about coming to terms with what's happening, it's sad but its hopeful.

AyuWorld · #9 25th May 2010, 03:30 PM

^ agreed =)

and this line,
I'll be on your left side,
I need nothing else

maybe Ayu referring to her fans and her friends,she said before that her fans are her left ear =)

even the beginning of the music it has some sort of sound that she used to hear in her left ear before becoming totally deaf,so it kind of implies the meaning of this song =(

but looks like Ayu wanna tell us shes ok now and can accept the thing as it is and whatever that will be,life must go on (^_^)

kotora · #10 25th May 2010, 03:54 PM

count down (left ear)
Last Links (right ear)

emi♡ · #11 25th May 2010, 04:16 PM

did she actually say it was about her ear.

Spartayu · #12 25th May 2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AyuWorld

^ agreed =)

and this line,
I'll be on your left side,
I need nothing else

maybe Ayu referring to her fans and her friends,she said before that her fans are her left ear =)

even the beginning of the music it has some sort of sound that she used to hear in her left ear before becoming totally deaf,so it kind of implies the meaning of this song =(

but looks like Ayu wanna tell us shes ok now and can accept the thing as it is and whatever that will be,life must go on (^_^)

Huh? It's a little odd... If we're her left ear, it means that we were the cause of her near-fall? Shouldn't we be her right ear instead, those that brought her hopes to continue on despite the setbacks?

Oh well, anyways we should learn something from this song; Always look at the worst state before jumping to conclusions ^^, (Random thoughts o.O)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotora

count down (left ear)
Last Links (right ear)

That was for real?

Quote:

Originally Posted by emiko

did she actually say it was about her ear.

Ain't so sure bout that, but it should be, as far as we can see.

crea_spain · #13 25th May 2010, 06:03 PM

maybe she's referring to her heart (left side)

Spartayu · #14 25th May 2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crea_spain

maybe she's referring to her heart (left side)

Hmmmm... Maybe not... As the song referred to quite some setbacks she'd faced throughout her career, and yeah...

Guess what, I just realized that Last Link starts off the music on the right side of the speaker in the direction of where it supposedly came from. Does that mean something of her ear?

U-GO-BOY · #15 25th May 2010, 08:39 PM

aw this topic makes me sad.. I wish I could give her some of my hearing ability

non3ko · #16 25th May 2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emiko

did she actually say it was about her ear.

It'd be nice to know if she did say this, rather than speculations about her ear. Does anyone know where this came from, is there an article? I'd really like to read about her inspiration for this song.

SPEAKERnight. · #17 25th May 2010, 09:06 PM

This song makes me shed a tear every time I listen to it. It's so sad but uplifting at the same time!

love in music · #18 25th May 2010, 09:26 PM

A while ago I asked Misa-chan to translate the song since her translations always are so clear and easy to understand. Maybe her translation will help you:

Quote:

The perfect Eden which I've always longed for...
A strong gust of cold wind
Woke my body up
And from that moment, the Eden vanished forever

I didn't smile, nor did I cry
Because I've experienced this kind of despair before
I know it means I've returned to zero
And so, I feel nothing...

I can hear something, coming from far away
Soon, you'll see, that the end will begin
When it comes, I will accept it fully
On my left side
I don't need any sympathy

If that is really the deepest level of Hell
Then surely, the only thing you need to do is climb up

You say that so surely
What exactly do you mean?
But it doesn't really matter
Because there are other, more important things

I can hear something, coming from far away
Soon, you'll see, that the end will begin
I use the excuse of wanting to see this end
Just to stay at your left side
I don't need anything else

I can hear something, coming from far away
Soon, you'll see, that the end will begin
When it comes, I will accept it fully
On my left side

I can hear something, coming from far away
Soon, you'll see, that the end will begin
I use the excuse of wanting to see this end
Just to stay at your left side
I don't need anything else

Rebirthia · #19 25th May 2010, 09:29 PM

I didn't know why, but -before knowing the story behind it- despite the actual sadness in the song, I sensed, I felt a ray of hope, an urge to go on, to keep up your strength..
Now I understand everything.
This is how music comunicates.
This is sooo going to my blog.
Thank you for your question. Now I understand much more.

gallowsCalibrator · #20 25th May 2010, 09:34 PM

I interpreted it as her left ear being unable to hear~

Especially with the sound that plays at the beginning that reminds me of a hearing aid sound~