細菌汚染 (Bacterial Contamination)

The song "細菌汚染 (Bacterial Contamination)" by VOCALOID, a singing voice synthesizer software, delves into the dark themes of social ostracism, bullying, and the spread of malicious gossip. The lyrics personify the concept of contamination, using the metaphor of a bacterial infection to describe the way harmful rumors and social rejection can spread and affect individuals deeply.

The song opens with a group deciding to ostracize someone based on hearsay, suggesting that anyone associated with the target should also be crushed. This reflects the often cruel and exclusionary nature of social groups, particularly in settings like schools or workplaces. The target of the rumors feels the pain of this 'contamination,' expressing a sense of inescapable suffering and the absence of allies or escape. The repetition of 'itai,' meaning 'painful' or 'hurts' in Japanese, emphasizes the emotional torment caused by this social pollution.

As the song progresses, the victim of the rumors begins to internalize the negativity, leading to a breakdown of their self-esteem and sense of identity. The contagion metaphor extends as the victim contemplates spreading the pain to others, reflecting the cycle of hurt that bullying can perpetuate. In the end, the victim is left alone, suggesting that the spread of 'contamination' has either driven everyone away or that the victim has become numb to the pain. The laughter at the end could symbolize a twisted sense of relief or a final breakdown of sanity.