Tempts-Another Life of Faust

This track is featured on the second album, Summer/Frenzy, of Sodagreen's "Vivaldi Project".

Similar to how "Cicada Dreams" and "Sleepless" are rooted in the story of "Madama Butterfly", this song is closely tied to Goethe's renowned work, Goethe's Faust. Allow me to briefly outline this book.

Goethe's Faust is Goethe's most famous masterpiece, set against the backdrop of German and European societies since the Renaissance. It narrates the journey of Faust, an advanced intellectual from the emerging bourgeoisie, in pursuit of personal value and the meaning of life. Faust, learned and respected, feels lost in middle age, unsure of what to seek in life next. Both the devil and God take an interest in him, wagering on whether the devil can devise schemes to corrupt Faust. Thus, the devil descends to Earth, intercepts Faust who is contemplating suicide, and makes a pact with him: if the devil can make him feel satisfied in life, his soul will belong to the devil after death. Faust's response at this moment fully reflects the Renaissance mindset – live life to the fullest now, regardless of what happens after death. So, he agrees to the devil and begins his search for fulfillment in life with the devil's help. Given Faust's extensive knowledge, satisfying people's primary pursuit of knowledge, they proceed to satisfy his desires in love. Along the way, Faust meets the beautiful Margaret but loses her due to fate. Similarly, he encounters numerous difficulties and tragedies on his subsequent paths towards political and classical beauty success. He ultimately sighs, hoping only to relieve some poor and unfortunate people. Fortunately, this long-held wish is granted, and Faust feels unparalleled satisfaction before his death, ready to give his soul to the devil. However, God recognizes Faust as truly selfless and noble, sending his soul to heaven after his death.

In summary, throughout this pact, the devil repeatedly tempts Faust into the comfort of hedonism, but Faust persists in pursuing higher values and meanings. He encounters setbacks and failures at numerous stages but fulfills his desires at the end of his life, becoming a person of great love and righteousness, with his soul ascending to heaven.

Yet, the protagonist of "Tempts" shares similar experiences with Faust but makes drastically different choices.

As "The Sound That Remains" and "Sleepless" correspond to each other, so do "Tempts" and another song on this album, "Kings Garden". "Kings Garden" narrates the protagonist's orgiastic revelry in blissful paradise after making a pact with the devil, while this song discusses the protagonist's various emotions afterwards. The lyrics are filled with confusion after mad revelry, and the protagonist feels a void after the excitement wears off. He then lights a cigarette on a rainy morning, pondering, "Is there regret? 'Perhaps...' he thinks / Like a belated pardon, a death sentence has been executed." Even after indulging with the devil's help, flying "around the world to see it," he still laments, "A little more, heaven is only for a moment." After much contemplation, the protagonist feels intense regret, believing he has exchanged for heaven but is actually stepping towards the devil's hell. The song concludes with, "Listening to another world, faintly, hearing pity."

This song, based on the backdrop of Goethe's Faust, portrays a protagonist making opposite decisions, emphasizing the distinction between indulgence and lofty pursuits. It depicts the reactions and emotions of most people under temptation, conveying intense emotions through electric guitars and clear drum beats but expressing a mood of melancholy and regret.