How Are Photos Used in the Context of Lyrics? | Release #16

Memories in our minds gradually turn into vague images over time. However, photos capture special moments, allowing us to reminisce. Each photo contains various personal stories, making the word 'photo' itself hold a poetic meaning for us.

This time, we summarize how words related to photos are used in the context of song lyrics.

The Japanese title is Paul Simon's 'My Kodachrome.' Kodachrome is a color reversal film by Kodak. Although it sounds like a commercial song title, it seems to have no direct connection with Kodak. Historically, it was the only reversal film that continued the earlier method, having strong popularity in the 1960s.

Nowadays, film is being replaced by digital. However, when the film 'Kodachrome' was discontinued in 2009, it made headlines as 'The famous film sung by Paul Simon exits,' indicating a sense of nostalgia for the generation that loved Kodachrome.

The lyrics convey the excitement of a boy discovering vibrant color photos when they were rare.


Kodachrome,
Kodachrome,

they give us those nice bright colors
They bring us those beautiful bright colors

Gives those greens of summers
Reproduces the vivid greens of summer

They make you think that all the world's a sunny day
Makes you think the whole world is a sunny day

Well I've got a, a Nikon camera
Well, I've got a Nikon camera

I love to take photographs
I love taking photographs with it

Ed Sheeran's 'Photograph' is famous for its music video, which is a mini-documentary reflecting on his life from infancy to age 24. The song's inspiration came from Ed Sheeran's own experience with a long-distance relationship. The message of the song is about preserving unchanging love and memories through photos.


We keep this love in a photograph
We encapsulate this love in a photograph

We made these memories for ourselves
We preserve these memories within ourselves

Where our eyes are never closing
Where our eyes never close

Hearts are never broken
Hearts are never broken

Times forever frozen still
Time remains forever frozen still


In the lyrics of 'Photograph,' photos are used as a symbol of love and memories, emphasizing emotional connections. The metaphor of photos is an essential element in expressing deep emotions and poignancy in the song.

As a side note, it seems that after a breakup, women tend to delete photos, while men often keep them.

Gen Hoshino, renowned as a versatile musician, begins his second single 'Film' with these lyrics.


Like a smile, there are many things in this world
Beautiful scenery, how much of it is true
In the depths of our eyes, like film
How much of what we've lost can we see


Even when people show smiles in beautiful scenery, various emotions are hidden behind them. What part to capture and perceive as reality is left in the film within each person's eyes. Gen Hoshino's photographic perspective appears right from the start of the song. It is a choice of words that makes us imagine something invisible through what is visible.

Sometimes as a symbol of the era, as a symbol of love and memories, or as an expression of perspective, photos encompass many complex themes. However, at the same time, photos are deeply rooted in our lives and are a simple word that resonates with many people. Because photos hold meanings beyond words, they inspire artists in their creations.