The song "Dying Star" by Ashnikko is the last track on her album WEEDKILLER, which is based on a short story of the same name. The lyrics tell the story of Aster, a young woman who escapes from a dying planet that was ruled by a tyrant who exploited her magic. She finds a new home on a lush and peaceful planet, where she meets a kind and gentle woman who heals her wounds and makes her feel loved.
The song uses the metaphor of a dying star to describe Aster’s journey from a dark and oppressive place to a bright and hopeful one. A dying star is a celestial object that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and is about to collapse or explode. Depending on its mass, a dying star can become a red giant, a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. A dying star can also produce a planetary nebula, which is a colorful cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the remnant of the star.
In the song, Aster is compared to a dying star that is burning and shedding its mass as it leaves its old orbit. She is also affected by invasive weeds, which are plants that grow where they are not wanted and harm the environment. These weeds could represent the negative influences or memories that Aster carries with her from her past. She hopes to find something soft, which could mean comfort, safety, or love.
The new planet that Aster lands on is contrasted with the dying star. It is described as having soft ground, blue fire paths, sea glass shores, and waterfalls. These images suggest that the planet is full of life, beauty, and tranquility. The woman who lives on the planet is likened to a god who holds Aster in her arms and bathes her in her waterfalls. She could symbolize the healing power of nature or the divine feminine.
The song is also an allegory for Ashnikko’s personal experiences as a queer woman who has faced abuse and discrimination. In an interview with Apple Music, she said:
'The people who have been unkind to me have made me unkind, but, ultimately, I just want a soft place to land, and that’s exactly what this song is about, pulling those thorns of the Weedkiller out one by one and looking for someone to take me in.'
The song celebrates Ashnikko’s resilience and empowerment as she overcomes her challenges and finds happiness in herself and her partner. It also expresses her hope for a better world where people can live in harmony with nature and each other.
Intro: Cm - C#dim7 - Dm7 - Aaug - Abmaj - G7sus4
Verse: Cm - C#dim7 - Dm7 - Aaug - Abmaj7 - G7sus4 - Fm7 - Ebmaj7
Pre-chorus: Ebmaj7 - Bbmaj7 - Abmaj7 - Gm7 - Ebmaj7 - Bbmaj7 - Abmaj7 - Fm7 - Ebmaj7
Chorus: Cm9 - Edim7 - Fm9 - Adim7 - Bbmaj9 - Cm9 - Edim7 - Fm9 - Adim7 - Bbmaj9 - Cmadd9(no5)
