终于只让一个人关怀
关起门来 还有什么意外
好像一辈子 一切都已安排
这完美生活 美好得好应该
终于成为他终身最爱
被围绕也同样被依赖
余下梦想锁在门外
承诺像牢固的城堡
里面不自由
流浪在外却不自在
走进来 闯进来 逃进来 躲进来
在诺言里发展未来
留下来 停下来 这日子 过下来
进不来的想像不来
看门外 想进来 看窗外 想离开
难怪那么多人选择徘徊
最容易满足的人
才会忘了问精不精彩
站在阳台看不变风景
谁在路上 对这阳台朝拜
不好意思说 用自由换自在
也别想过去 忐忑得好痛快
远离孤独的人山人海
满足得没什么要期待
好像赢了人生决赛
在围城里张灯结彩
好像终于能
对全世界有个交代
只有懂幸福的人
才懂得进退一样精彩
一样精彩
This song about relationships is written by none other than a very talented lyricist, 林夕. Rather than attempting to encapsulate what this song is about in a single sentence, I would bring you through the song by verse. But before I do so, I would like to set some groundwork so you would know roughly what to expect/the central theme of this song.
This song reminded me of an old Sunday Times Life section by Sumiko Tan where she writes on how "Marriage is Freedom". She seeks to explain why so; "now that I’m tied to someone, I feel strangely, ironically, free." Do take a look at this interesting article here.
The song begins as our lead (could be either genders but for simplicity, I would say female) has finally started a stable relationship, one without surprises. It seems as though everything else thereafter has been arranged for; her expected perfect life is about to begin. She is finally the love of his life; there is a mutual reliance on each other. Leaving behind her dreams, she is "locked in", figuratively (a nicer term would be committed) into this relationship fortress bounded by promises made. Those who are inside may not be free but those lingering outside are not at ease.
These forms the first two verses of the song and perhaps the most meaningful takeaway here is its last line which goes; 里面不自由, 流浪在外却不自在. Isn't it somewhat ironic that those who aren't in relationships are always not at ease, yearning to be in relationships; yet those who are already in relationships want to have to have freedom and the feeling of being single. (The former scenario has been explained succinctly in Sumiko Tan's article.) Indeed, there is this fine line that needs to be balanced.
This irony is reflected in the subsequent chorus too. Those outside the relationship fortress cannot imagine how it is like inside. Those who are in, want it out; those who are out, want to be in. It is no wonder most people choose to linger around around the two realms. To me, all these are akin to the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side". Some people transit from being single to attached to single (cue vicious cycle) because they always feel that there is a next best alternative.
Jumping a verse, our lead has left the "sea of singles". She is satisfied but does not hold any further expectations. It feels like she has won the race out of single-hood and she is celebrating in her fortress. She has finally proven to the world that she has done it; she is no longer single. With the Chinese New Year coming up, there are probably many singles or couples who will face the golden question from their relatives; "when are you getting married?" or "are you attached?". If our lead is encounters this situation, she can proudly declare a big yes. Is getting into a relationship/getting married then a social responsibility expected of us or do we do so because we want to?
The song ends with a realisation; those who really know what true blissfulness is are probably the only ones who know that both realms (single or attached) are equally rewarding and satisfying. Put simply, you have the control to make the best (or worst) out of your own circumstances.
Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/33465904
