The lyrics of 'Inochi bakkari' carry such raw emotion that translating them requires more than just linguistic accuracy—it's about capturing the soul of the song. The title itself, often rendered as 'Nothing But Life,' sets the tone for its existential musings. Lines like '生きることに疲れた' ('I'm tired of living') demand careful handling—conveying weariness without melodrama. The chorus' repetition of '命ばっかり' could become 'only life, always life' to mirror its cyclical despair.
What fascinates me is how the song's simplicity in Japanese (like the childlike 'ごめんね' apology) contrasts with the weighty themes. A good translation would preserve this duality—maybe using straightforward English with poetic spacing. The final '消えたい' ('I want to disappear') needs particular sensitivity, perhaps as 'wanna fade away' to keep the youthful vulnerability. It's less about word-for-word and more about making listeners feel that same gut punch.