ATTENTION

The emotional journey of 'ATTENTION' begins with an air of unfulfilled longing, as Joji's chorus echoes the human need for acknowledgment and admiration from a person of his affection. Facing the ignorance of his emotional presence within the relationship, Joji ponders the pain of being secondary, compared to others who seem to captivate the interest of his subject more effortlessly. This melancholic realization fuels a mix of dejection and desperate craving for validation.

Transitioning into the pre-chorus, Joji's tone carries a hint of defiance, questioning the validity of persisting in a relationship where his departure would become a footnote rather than a chapter. It is a contemplative space, where he measures his worth against the ease with which he could be forgotten if he chose to escape the emotional dust bowl that surrounds him. Yet, despite contemplating withdrawal, there's an undertone of hope, a wish that the act of leaving might finally garner the attention he seeks.

Amidst the chorus, Joji confronts the object of his feelings with a piercing insight into her emotional escapades, her tears spent on those who were never worth it. His plea for her to be less transparent in her emotional endeavors suggests a combination of frustration and a protective sentiment, expressing a longing for a more light-hearted, casual take on their interactions. It's both a critique of her choices and an indirect request for her to see him in a different light.

The verse of the song introduces a vulnerability that Joji's character often shies away from. His struggles are laid bare: his cryptic nature, his weirdness, and how these aspects might be perceived as indifference. He opens up about his personal fears, including his health issues and mortality, and his selective authenticity, only smiling genuinely for someone special. His emotional rawness here is a direct appeal for understanding and a deeper connection.