Intro by salem ilese, TOMORROW X TOGETHER & Alan Walker — Analysis & Translation

Original Poem

Intro [Soft synths, controller clicks, notification sounds] Intro You say “one more game”, it’s already half past three Blue light on your face, but you won’t even look at me I know every combo, every map, every sound But I still lose to a console every time you come around --- Chorus It’s me or the PS5 Tell me which of us is more your type? Seems like you can't decide So if it's not me then I'm probably gonna run it over Me or the PS5 Tell me which of us will treat you right? Seems I'm not on your mind So if you leave me then I'm probably gonna screw you over --- Verse 1 I cooked your favourite dinner, now it's cold beside the bed You said you'd “be there in a minute”, same thing every night instead Your headset on, you're laughing louder than you do with me At this point I swear your online friends know you more deeply And every time I try to talk You mute me like background noise I shouldn't have to fight a game For your time and your attention, boy --- Pre-Chorus I don't need roses or expensive things Just wanna know I matter to you But every second place I get Makes me feel impossible to choose --- Chorus It’s me or the PS5 Tell me which of us is more your type? Seems like you can't decide So if it's not me then I'm probably gonna run it over Me or the PS5 Tell me which of us will treat you right? Seems I'm not on your mind So if you leave me then I'm probably gonna screw you over --- Post-Chorus (Ooh-ooh) You hold that controller tighter than my hand (Ooh-ooh) Guess I’ll never beat your high score, damn (Ooh-ooh) Maybe I should unplug everything tonight Then maybe you'd finally look me in the eyes --- Verse 2 You know my birthday, but forgot our plans again 'Cause your squad was waiting online and you “couldn't ditch your friends” I tried learning all the games you like just to stay involved Now I'm carrying your team and still our problems aren't resolved Your trophies cover every shelf But where's the space for me? I'm standing right beside you Still somehow invisible to see --- Bridge Maybe I'm dramatic Maybe you're just stressed Maybe we're both stubborn Maybe this's a mess But if I disappeared tonight Would you even realise? Or would you just press “restart” And carry on with your life? [Beat drops out] Tell me honestly If the power went dead Would you still want me Or just miss the internet? --- Final Chorus It’s me or the PS5 Tell me which of us is more your type? Seems like you can't decide So if it's not me then I'm probably gonna run it over Me or the PS5 Tell me which of us will treat you right? Seems I'm not on your mind So if you leave me then I'm probably gonna screw you over --- Outro (Quietly) You say “last game” every single night But somehow morning always arrives And I'm still here waiting by your side Competing with a neon light [Controller disconnect sound]

Translation (English)

Intro [Soft electronic sounds, game controller clicks, alert sounds] Intro You say “just one more game”, but it's already 3:30 AM The screen's blue light is on your face, but you don't even glance at me I know all the moves, all the maps, all the sounds But I still lose to a gaming console every time you're around --- Chorus Is it me or the PS5? Tell me which one you prefer? You seem unsure So if it's not me, I might just destroy it Me or the PS5? Who will treat you better? I don't seem to be on your mind So if you leave me, I might just get back at you --- Verse 1 I made your favorite meal, now it's cold by the bed You said you'd “be there soon”, but it's the same every night You're wearing your headset, laughing louder than with me I swear your online friends know you better than I do And whenever I try to talk You silence me like background noise I shouldn't have to compete with a game For your time and attention --- Pre-Chorus I don't need flowers or pricey gifts Just want to know I matter to you But every time I'm second It feels like I'm impossible to choose --- Chorus Is it me or the PS5? Tell me which one you prefer? You seem unsure So if it's not me, I might just destroy it Me or the PS5? Who will treat you better? I don't seem to be on your mind So if you leave me, I might just get back at you --- Post-Chorus (Ooh-ooh) You grip that controller tighter than my hand (Ooh-ooh) I guess I'll never beat your top score (Ooh-ooh) Maybe I should disconnect everything tonight Then maybe you'd finally look me in the eyes --- Verse 2 You remember my birthday, but forgot our plans again Because your friends were waiting online and you “couldn't leave them” I tried learning all the games you like just to be part of it Now I'm helping your team and still our issues aren't solved Your awards fill every shelf But where's the space for me? I'm right next to you Yet somehow you don't see me --- Bridge Maybe I'm overreacting Maybe you're just overwhelmed Maybe we're both stubborn Maybe this is a mess But if I vanished tonight Would you even notice? Or would you just hit “restart” And continue with your life? [Music fades] Tell me truthfully If the power went out Would you still want me Or just miss being online? --- Final Chorus Is it me or the PS5? Tell me which one you prefer? You seem unsure So if it's not me, I might just destroy it Me or the PS5? Who will treat you better? I don't seem to be on your mind So if you leave me, I might just get back at you --- Outro (Softly) You say “last game” every night But somehow morning always comes And I'm still here waiting by your side Competing with a glowing screen [Controller disconnect sound]

About the Poet

salem ilese, TOMORROW X TOGETHER & Alan Walker (Contemporary)

Salem Ilese is an American singer-songwriter known for her viral hit 'Mad at Disney'. TOMORROW X TOGETHER is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment. Alan Walker is a British-Norwegian DJ and record producer, famous for his song 'Faded'.

Historical Context

Literary Form: Song lyrics
When Written: 2022
Background: The song 'PS5' by Salem Ilese, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and Alan Walker explores the theme of modern relationships being affected by gaming addiction. It reflects the frustration of a partner feeling neglected due to the other's obsession with video games, specifically the PlayStation 5.

Sources: https://genius.com/Salem-ilese-tomorrow-x-together-and-alan-walker-ps5-lyrics, https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/us-or-ps5

Detailed Explanation

The song 'PS5' by Salem Ilese, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and Alan Walker captures the emotional struggle of a partner feeling neglected due to their significant other's obsession with gaming, specifically the PlayStation 5. The lyrics express a sense of competition between the speaker and the gaming console for the partner's attention. The speaker feels sidelined and undervalued, as their attempts to connect are overshadowed by the allure of online gaming. The repeated chorus highlights the ultimatum between the speaker and the PS5, symbolizing the speaker's frustration and desire for recognition. The song uses relatable imagery and modern references to convey the impact of technology on personal relationships. Themes of neglect, competition, and the desire for genuine connection are prevalent throughout the lyrics, making it a poignant reflection on contemporary relationship dynamics.

Themes

Literary Devices

Word Dictionary

Word	Meaning	Translation	Transliteration
combo	combination	a series of actions in a game	kom-bo
console	gaming device	a machine for playing video games	kon-sohl
mute	silence	to stop the sound	myoot
trophies	awards	items given for winning	troh-feez
squad	team	a team of players	skwod
restart	begin again	to begin again	ree-start
neon	bright light	a bright, glowing light	nee-on
controller	gamepad	a tool for playing games	kon-troh-ler
notification	alert	a message that tells you something	noh-ti-fi-kay-shun
high score	best score	the most points in a game	hai skawr
headset	earphones	a device for listening	hed-set
beat	defeat	to win against someone	beet
dramatic	emotional	very emotional	druh-mat-ik
internet	online network	a worldwide computer network	in-ter-net
expensive	costly	costs a lot of money	ik-spen-siv