Paradisin'

Song by Rina Sawayama

## Audio

"**Paradisin'**" is the sixth track from Rina Sawayama's debut album, *Sawayama* (2020). In the song, written by Rina with its producer Clarence Clarity, Rina discusses how she's living her best life in paradise with her friends and family through nostalgic tales from her childhood. It entices the atmosphere of a Japanese video game arcade.

## Background

Rina said about the song:

> I wanted to write a theme song for a TV show. Like if my life, my teenage years, was like a TV show, then what would be the soundtrack, the opening credits? It really reminded me of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and that kind of fast BPM you’d get in the ’80s. I think it’s at 130 or 140 BPM. I was really wild when I was a teenager, and that sense of adventure comes from a production like that. There’s a bit in the song where my mum’s telling me off, but that’s actually my voice. I realized that if I pitched my voice down, I sound exactly like my mum.
>
> — Sawayama via Apple Music

## Critical reception

Erin Bashford from *The Line of Best Fit* wrote that the "thicket of genres which twist throughout *SAWAYAMA*, often opposing each other, are the key weapon in the arsenal", naming “Paradisin’” and “Akasaka Sad” as two "strong pop songs sat side by side." Writing for *Beats Per Minute*, Rob Hakimian said that "[the song] is supposed to be a sort of theme song for her teenage years, but the cheesy melodies wear thin after one go-around."

## Live performances

"Paradisin'" was part of the regular set list of the Dynasty Tour, which began on 8 November 2021 in Dublin, Ireland.

## Lyrics

Paradisin'

Livin' my best life thrivin'

Drivin' you cra-a-a-a-azy

Paradisin'

Livin' my best life thrivin'

You say I'm misbehavin'

But I'm just a kid, so save it

Let me have an unforgettable time of my life

I went and messed up again

Went against everything you said

Summer of drinking in Trafalgar Square, yeah, yeah

Then you threaten to send me to

Boarding school for the seventh time

I know we can't afford that, so I'm fine

Though I'm stuck in the middle of it all

Isn't life so, life so beautiful?

Paradisin'

Livin' my best life thrivin'

Drivin' you cra-a-a-a-azy

Paradisin'

Livin' my best life thrivin'

You say I'm misbehavin'

But I'm just a kid, so save it

Let me have an unforgettable time of my life

First kiss in 2003

Making out, feeling carefree

But then his phone rings

And your number's on the screen (Oh, fuck)

Hacked my MSN messenger

Blackmailed my best friend, telling her

"Rina、あんた、ふざけんじゃないよ。私は—"

Mum, I'm fine

Yeah, I bet you think I'm terrible

But you don't know nothing, not at all

Paradisin'

Living my best life thriving

Drivin' you cra-a-a-a-azy

Paradisin'

Living my best life thriving

You say I'm misbehavin'

But I'm just a kid, so save it

Let me have an unforgettable time of my life

Paradisin'

Living my best life thriving

Drivin' you cra-a-a-a-azy

Paradisin'

Living my best life thriving

You say I'm misbehavin'

But I'm just a kid, so save it

Let me have an unforgettable time of my life

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

## References

1. ↑ *God Is In The Tv*. Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA (Dirty Hit)
2. ↑ *Sputnikmusic*. Review: Rina Sawayama - Sawayama
3. ↑ SAWAYAMA by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music
4. ↑ *The Line of Best Fit*. Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA.
5. ↑ *Beats Per Minute*. Album Review: Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA