HomeKotaro OshioSong Meaning of "Tension" by Kotaro Oshio

Song Meaning of “Tension” by Kotaro Oshio

Song Details

  • Album Release Date: 2012
  • Genre: guitar

Song Meaning of “Tension” by Kotaro Oshio

Tension by Kotaro Oshio is a story of a man struggling with the inner turmoil of not being able to overcome his inner doubts and fears. It is a story of a man who can’t seem to escape his own insecurities, and how they cause an ever-increasing sense of tension within him.

The lyrics of the song explore how the narrator is desperately trying to find a way to release this tension, but no matter how hard he tries it always remains, both on a conscious and subconscious level. This tension drives him to act out in irrational ways, as he reaches breaking point in the chorus “I can’t take it anymore, so I’ll just give in.” His desperate attempts at escapism come to nothing though, as the feeling of tension always returns.

This sense of inner turmoil is often echoed in Oshio’s guitar work, as he weaves between heavy chords and delicate melodies, reflecting the push and pull of the narrator’s emotions. In the bridge of the song, the instrumentation takes a turn as the strings become distorted and chaotic. This creates almost a sense of drowning, as if the weight of the narrator’s loneliness is pulling him under.

Tension is a deeply personal exploration of the internal struggles one can find themselves struggling with in life. It captures the overwhelming feeling of vulnerability and fear that can be so difficult to escape, and the way in which it changes and defines one’s life.

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