Meaning and Lyrics of Young Man by HYUKOH

HYUKOH’s Young Man may initially present itself as another anthem for youthful exuberance, but dig deeper and you’ll find a profound meditation on the struggles and absurdities of life, articulated through emotionally charged lyrics and compelling instrumentation. Young Man is a juxtaposition of optimism and existential dread, a musical narrative that invites listeners to embrace the paradoxes of existence.

Verse 1 sets the scene with a sense of urgency and survival. The imagery of “fighting” and “trying to survive” instantly brings to mind the ceaseless battles young people face, whether they’re physical, emotional, or ideological. The mention of “dead friends” adds a sobering layer to the narrative, hinting at past losses and the casualties of these battles. The line “Hands with a fire, jump to the sea” juxtaposes the elements, suggesting a cleansing or an escape. Fire symbolizes passion and destruction, while the sea represents calm and infinity, a place where the flames might be doused or reignited. This duality is a recurring theme throughout the song, emphasizing the conflicting forces that define youth.

Verse 2 builds on this tension. The phrase “Only go higher, you and me” transforms into “go down or higher,” introducing the possibility of failure alongside success. This binary outlook—ascension or descent—encapsulates the high stakes of youth. There’s a poignant inevitability here; the characters must keep striving or risk falling into obscurity, a sentiment painfully familiar to those navigating the precarious transition from adolescence to adulthood.

The Chorus injects a nihilistic yet liberating philosophy into the song. “Every day is yesterday” suggests a monotonous cycle, where each day bleeds into the next, devoid of new meaning. However, the proclamation “We don’t look back” is a rallying cry for living in the moment. Despite the apparent meaninglessness, there’s a deliberate act of moving forward “with no regrets.” By stating “We, the young, forever mercy,” HYUKOH is asserting the resilience and merciful defiance of youth. They acknowledge the futility (“meaning’s always meaningless”) but choose to persist, embracing a kind of reckless grace.

The Bridge, sung in Korean, delivers a stark contrast with its mournful reflection: “슬픔은 늘 떼로 온다” (“Sorrow always comes in droves”) and “기쁨은 늘 스쳐 간다” (“Joy always fleeting”). It underscores the transient nature of happiness and the pervasive presence of sorrow, ending with “기쁨은 없다” (“There is no joy”), driving home the somber reality that joy, when found, is ephemeral.

Returning to the Chorus, the repetition reinforces the core message. There’s a hypnotic quality to it, as if HYUKOH is entrenching this philosophy deep into the listener’s psyche. The refrain “Every day is yesterday” becomes both a lament and an anthem, a bittersweet acknowledgment of life’s relentless pace and a vow to keep pushing forward regardless.

Musically, Young Man combines HYUKOH’s signature blend of indie rock and alternative sounds. The arrangement is tight but expansive, leaving room for introspection. The guitars oscillate between delicate strumming and robust chords, reflecting the song’s emotional highs and lows. The rhythm section grounds the track, offering a steady heartbeat amid the lyrical turbulence.

In sum, Young Man is a masterful exploration of youthful defiance in the face of life’s inherent absurdity. HYUKOH manages to capture the fleeting nature of joy and the omnipresence of sorrow, while still invoking a determined spirit to move forward. It’s a song that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever grappled with the relentless march of time and the challenges of finding one’s place in an often unforgiving world.