NMB48 – Thinking time. Lyrics Meaning: The Sweet Agony of an Unspoken Crush
Why is the time spent just thinking about someone you like so special? NMB48 totally gets it. Their song “Thinking time” is a perfect snapshot of that happy, confusing, and wonderful phase of having a crush.
- NMB48 – Otoshiana | Falling into an Unexpected Love Trap
- NMB48 – Seishun nenbutsu | Chanting Away Teenage Nothingness
- NMB48 – Sayonara, kakato wo fumu hito | The Unsolved Mystery of a Classroom Crush
- Meghan Trainor – No Excuses | Reclaiming Power After a Bad Romance
- Tyler, The Creator – Mommanem | When Loyalty Cracks and Payback Calls
- ABBA – Honey Honey | When Infatuation Hits Hard
- Nogizaka46 – Ashita ga aru riyuu | The Reason We Always Have Tomorrow
- AKB48 – Kimi no tame ni boku wa… | A Promise of Ultimate Sacrifice
- AKB48 – Mammoth | Awakening a Primal Power
The Story Unfolding in “Thinking time” by NMB48
This song tells a simple, relatable story. It’s about a girl who is completely absorbed in her feelings for someone. The whole world around her becomes a backdrop for her daydreams.
A Sidewalk Daydream
The song kicks off with a super visual scene. Picture this: she’s waiting at a crosswalk. When the light changes, everyone starts walking at once. She sees the crowd of people as something beautiful.
Waiting for the signal at the crosswalk
Issei ni aruki hajmete
Everyone started walking at once
Hitonami no hana ga saita
A flower of people bloomed
It’s like her crush makes the ordinary world seem magical. She isn’t just seeing a bunch of people; she’s seeing a field of flowers. That’s how you know she’s deep in her feelings.
The “What If” Game
Her mind is buzzing. She knows that just thinking about love won’t magically change her situation. But she just can’t stop herself from playing the “what if” game. It’s a little habit she has.
Even if I imagine “what if”
Ikikata wa eikyou sarenai
It doesn’t affect my way of life
She even admits that whenever she passes a stranger, she has a fleeting thought about them possibly becoming her lover. It shows how much love is on her mind. It’s a constant, playful thought in the back of her head.
A Pre-Decided Answer
The chorus is where she really lays her feelings bare. She calls this whole process her “Thinking time.” She’s wrestling with her emotions, but deep down, she already knows the truth.
Thinking time
Anata wo dare yori mo ichiban daisuki na koto
That I love you more than anyone else
Kotae nante mou saisho kara kimatte wa iru no ni…
Even though the answer has been decided from the very beginning…
The answer is that she’s totally into this person! But the funny thing is, she’s not in a rush to get to that conclusion. She actually enjoys the process of thinking and worrying about it all.
The Heart of “Thinking time”
So, what’s this song really all about? It’s not about the dramatic confession or the happy ending. The core idea of “Thinking time” is that the journey of having a crush is a treasure in itself. The time spent daydreaming, analyzing every little thing, and just feeling those butterflies is a unique kind of happiness.
What NMB48 Teaches Us About Crushes
The biggest takeaway here is to enjoy the moment. The song tells us that this period of uncertainty is actually a happy time. She finds joy in just thinking about him, even on a bad day.
The time spent worrying about various things is happiness
Ochikomu you na ichinichi datte
Even on a depressing day
Akirameru choisu wa mitsukaranai
I can’t find the choice to give up
Her feelings for him are a source of strength. No matter how down she gets, the thought of giving up on this crush never even crosses her mind. It’s a sweet and positive way to look at unspoken love.
So, what’s your take on “Thinking time”? Does it capture that feeling of being lost in thought about someone special? I’d love to hear how you interpret the song!
