"Lollipop Cider" by NELKE‐Lyrics and Meaning

Let me introduce "Lollipop Cider" by NELKE!

This song features a soul-stirring melody and lyrics filled with passion, making it an incredibly cool track.

RIRIKO’s vocals are both powerful and slightly melancholic, showcasing an impressive level of emotional expression.

The chorus, in particular, delivers a thrilling sense of exhilaration, making you want to listen to it over and over again.

The music video mainly features live performance footage, capturing the emotions on RIRIKO's face as she sings and the band's intense performance.

It’s sure to make you want to experience their live show in person!

Now, let's dive into the lyrics and explore their meaning!

Lyric interpretation

大丈夫かい？無理していないかい？

"Are you okay? Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?"

まぁ…無理してちょうど良いくらいか

"Well...maybe it’s just the right amount."

そう直ぐまた自分の価値とか 低く見てやるなよ

"But hey, don’t be so quick to undervalue yourself again."

わかるけど

"I get it, though."

The lyrics express a deep self-awareness—knowing one’s own personality and traits better than anyone else.

Because of this, even when realizing they are pushing themselves too hard, they still convince themselves that it’s acceptable.

By comparing themselves to others, they start to feel discouraged, believing their own worth is too low.

This leads to a mindset where they push themselves even harder, feeling the need to prove their value.

ベランダで吸うタバコとか

"A cigarette I smoke on the balcony,"

無理やり飲む安いお酒とか

"Cheap liquor I force myself to drink,"

あの曲のあの歌詞のあの人みたいに…

"Just like that song, those lyrics, and that person..."

These are scenes, sights, and actions that feel familiar—things seen somewhere before.

Rather than acting purely on personal desire, the lyrics suggest imitating someone from a song once heard, replicating their gestures and emotions.

It’s as if the person is observing themselves from a distance, detached yet self-aware.

Perhaps everyone, at some point, has found themselves unconsciously imitating someone they admire.

やけに晴れ渡る空で 僕は泣いていた

"Beneath the strangely clear sky, I found myself in tears."

ロリポップキャンディと炭酸水

"Lollipop candy and sparkling water."

何かになるその前に “僕”になれてるか？

"Before I become something else,Have I truly become 'myself'?"

この甘さじゃもうダメなのか？

"Doesn't this sweetness work anymore?"

This part depicts a scene where tears fall beneath a sky that remains clear, contrasting sharply with the emotions inside.

Despite the sorrow, the bright sky feels indifferent, deepening the sense of isolation.

This person might be holding a lollipop and sparkling water while crying.

A growing sense of urgency emerges—the pressure to become somebody.

Yet, before becoming somebody else, the lyrics ask: has one truly been as authentic as they can be?

You're asking yourself that question because there is uncertainty and self-doubt, but these feelings are a natural part of growth.

Am I still too sweet* in this society? It suggests a search for the right path while struggling with uncertainty.

*In Japanese, the word “sweet” is used in the sense of being easy on oneself or being naive.

青色と言うには淡くて

"Too pale to be called blue,"

水色と言うには濁ってる

"Too murky to be called light blue."

What does this in-between color—neither blue nor light blue—truly represent?

Could it be tears, emotions, or the sparkling water being consumed? Here, it likely refers to the color of the clear sky.

La…La… はぁ やっぱダメだな あーあ

"La…La…Ugh... I knew it, I’m just no good. Duh...."

La…こんな声じゃ見つけてもらえない

"La…With a voice like this, no one will ever notice me."

No matter how desperately one lives, sings, or raises their voice, the world doesn’t always take notice.

What should they do? What kind of voice would make them be heard?

There is no clear answer—but precisely because of that, possibilities exist. Yet, that uncertainty also brings pain.

君は何味を選ぶ？迷ってる場合か？

"Which flavor do you want to choose? Is this really the time to hesitate?"

気づけばMonday を繰り返し

"Before I know it, Monday comes around again and again."

未来が無限すぎるから むしろ辛いよな

"The future feels infinite—maybe that's what makes it so tough."

カラフルすぎても駄目なのさ

"Too much color can even be overwhelming."

In the midst of it all, what is it that they truly want? They know that hesitation won’t move them forward.

Before they realize it, another week has passed, and Monday comes around once again.

The more they believe in their own potential—that they can become anything—the more they struggle to figure out what they should actually do.

Too many colors can be overwhelming, leading to indecision. That’s why, at the very least, they long to find their own color.

Many people remain stuck at the starting line, unsure of which path to take.

But that’s life—that’s the journey of growing into adulthood, right?

たまに曖昧に愛してくるでしょ？

"Sometimes, you love me in such a vague way, don’t you?"

あまり馬鹿にしないでほしいよ

"I wish you wouldn’t take me for a fool."

甘い夢を見せてくれよ

"Let me have a little sweet dream.."

見ていたんだよ 忘れてないよ

"I saw it, you know—I haven’t forgotten."

The phrase "loving me in a vague way" suggests that the affection shown is not entirely genuine or dedicated.

If you aren’t willing to truly face this relationship, then you shouldn’t act as if you care in the first place. It feels as if I am being mocked.

Struggling in a world where you can’t seem to become somebody, this person longs for at least a fleeting, sweet dream to hold onto.

There is a sense of weariness toward the harshness of reality.

空が赤くなる前に全部溶けちゃった

"Before the sky turned red, everything had already melted away."

ロリポップキャンディーと炭酸水

"Lollipop candy and sparkling water."

何かになるその前に “僕”にならなくちゃ

"Before I become somebody else,I have to be 'myself'."

この甘さのこと好きだから

"Because I love this sweetness."

The sky, once a shade between blue and light blue, gradually shifts toward evening.

Yet, before it turns red, the lollipop candy being savored has already melted away.

The lyrics emphasize the importance of first becoming “myself.” Rather than endlessly chasing something, the desire to embrace oneself and live authentically comes through.

"This sweetness" can be interpreted as both the literal sweetness of the lollipop candy and the figurative "sweetness" of oneself, seen from society’s perspective—perhaps as being naive.

Still, the message seems to be: I like who I am with this sweetness*.

*In Japanese, the word “sweet” is used in the sense of being easy on oneself. In this case, meaning I like myself, including my naiveness.

Summary

What did you think?

When you put a lollipop candy and soda in your mouth together, it creates a sweet, candy-flavored drink.

In the same way, the lyrics mix the struggles of figuring out how to live and who to be with the sweetness of the candy, allowing the listener to fully take in those emotions.

Feelings of frustration, the restless urge to do more—many people can likely relate to these lyrics.

In the end, learning to accept and love oneself, no matter who they are, is a beautiful journey.

This song feels like a gentle push forward, encouraging us to embrace ourselves.

Be sure to check out their other songs as well!