Tuga

Sadness, it's like water
On a cold day
Water is here, but you can't really see it
For water is fog
Silence stays because I don't know how…*
How?..
I just stay quiet when I remember
That water is fog

The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me
But water is fog
The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me
But water is fog

I have all that never happened, I have
All that once did*
You’re here, but I cannot see you
For water is fog
Silence stays because I don’t know how…
How?
I just stay quiet when I remember
That water is fog*

The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me*
But water is fog
The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me
But water is fog

What has past lives within me,
A piece of me, it stays until the end.
It cannot be otherwise—
What has past is mine to keep

What has past lives within me,
A piece of me, it stays until the end.
It cannot be otherwise—
What has past is mine to keep

I know everything
So what if I know?
Do you think it helps?
It doesn’t really help
Let me go
Just let me go

For water is fog, water is fog

The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me
But water is fog
The fog doesn’t cleanse me, doesn’t cleanse me
But water is fog

I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember
I can remember - and I remember

What is the song about?

At its core, Tuga (which means "Sadness" in Serbian) reflects on the tension between the past and present, and how unresolved emotions or memories continue to affect Konstrakta. Konstrakta seem to grapple with something deeply felt but difficult to understand or process, like trying to see through fog or make sense of something intangible. There’s a sense of helplessness, where knowing and remembering are not enough to bring emotional release or clarity.

The repeated lines about water and fog suggest that Konstrakta is dealing with memories or feelings that were once clear (like water) but have now become murky or unclear (like fog). The fog doesn’t provide the clarity or cleansing that the speaker desires, and instead, the past lingers in a way that doesn’t offer resolution.

  • “Silence remains because I don't know how" is perhaps deliberately incomplete to reflect the Konstrakta’s inner turmoil. The "how?" is left unresolved because Konstrakta doesn't seem to have the answer either. This makes the lyrics feel relatable yet enigmatic.

  • The song Tuga by Konstrakta is rich in metaphor and explores the emotional complexity of memory, grief, and the lasting impact of the past. The lyrics evoke a sense of confusion, unresolved feelings, and the struggle to find clarity or healing. The metaphor of water and fog plays a central role in expressing these themes.

  • "The fog doesn’t cleanse me": This line speaks to the fact that while Konstrakta is surrounded by these memories (fog), they do not bring clarity, healing, or emotional release. The fog does not cleanse or purify Konstrakta—it only seems to leave her stuck in confusion or emotional limbo.

  • The Past: The lines "What has past lives within me, A piece of me, it stays until the end" might suggest that Konstrakta is deeply impacted by the past. Even though time has passed, those experiences or emotions are still with her, and they are part of who she is. The past cannot be separated from Konstrakta—it is inextricably tied to her identity and will remain a part of her.

Trapped in the Fog:
Exploring the Themes of Tuga

The song Tuga captures the relentless weight of grief and the struggle with unresolved emotions. It speaks to how the past lingers in ways we can’t always comprehend—memories and feelings that continue to shape us even when they’ve become hard to fully grasp. The metaphor of water turning to fog beautifully illustrates this transformation: what was once clear and tangible has become hazy and elusive. Konstrakta seems to find no comfort or resolution in this fog; it doesn’t cleanse or bring relief. Instead, it leaves her stuck, searching for clarity that feels just out of reach.

At its heart, Tuga is a reflection on the complexity of memory and the emotional baggage we carry. It explores the difficulty of reconciling with the past—being unable to move forward but also unable to let go. It’s a poignant portrayal of being trapped in that paradox, where something deeply meaningful continues to resonate, even though it no longer exists.