Ups and Downs [With Lyrics] (Slayer Theme) - Guilty Gear Strive OST

Ups and Downs (Slayer's Theme)
Vocal: Naoki Hashimoto
Composer: Daisuke Ishiwatari

Lyrics:
The darkness is pierced
By the morning sun
The light is beautiful
I'm mesmerized by it

But soon I
Can't open my eyes
But eventually I get used to it

Surrounded, by precious things
The heart turns into stone

Hardly the stuff of bedtime stories
Happy ending is just a snapshot in time
Life is a journey, not a destination
Enjoy the ride, with ups and downs

My friend enjoys
Courage for the plate
Holding a platinum knife
With soft fire glow

But his eyes
Did not shine
What he missed is that he cannot be overthrown

Surrounded, by precious things
My heart turns into stone

Hardly the stuff of bedtime stories
Happy ending is just a snapshot in time
Life is a journey, not a destination
Enjoy the ride, with ups and downs

Hardly the stuff of bedtime stories
Sometimes you have to play supporting roles
But what that matters is that you're eyes shine
In the moment

Hardly the stuff of bedtime stories
Happy ending is just a snapshot in time
Life is a journey, not a destination
Enjoy the ride, with ups and downs

[Robomori]

I remember seeing a comment saying that this theme is too short to be a banger, but too long to keep a lovely wife waiting.

[jackthatistheripper]

Slayer knew that he cannot change society, so instead of reflecting on themselves he lived happily, with ups and downs

[lavenkaser]

Slayer : "The past left no reminiscence for me and i have nothing to look forward in my eternal future life. So by elimination, the present is likely the happiest time."

[coffeebird]

I love the fact that the message of the Song is to Enjoy life to the fullest, and it’s coming from an immortal vampire

[clam]

I like whereas ever other character's themes are very reflective and are them making personal breakthroughs, Slayer's sounds like he already worked through this a few centuries ago and is giving others advice on their journeys.

[rattled]

The gigachad of gigachads.

There is no deep reflection in his theme cause he has everything figured out. He’s literally HIM!

[rattled]

He is one of the most powerful characters in the verse, he is literally immortal, he has a beautiful immortal loving wife, he has deep connection to many characters and organizations, he takes life as it comes and simply strives for happiness, he is handsome, he is smart, but most of all HE IS DANDY!!

[ModernAegis]

"A happy ending is just a snapshot in time"
That makes WAY more sense than "a sad short detour". Thanks, Cloud!

[playery]

I can't get over the fact that Slayer canonically:

- Haven't lost a single fight, being powerful enough to insta kill someone of the most powerful characters in GG.

- A Vampire with over + 683 years

- Helped founding the Assassin's Guild, where Zato-1 and Venom worked for

- A Writer

- A refined gentleman

- Has a lovable Wife (that he likes)

and somehow he looked like PeanutButterGamer when he was younger

(Edit: I'm are about his encounter with Bedman, but it was more of a ambush than a fight, and once they actually fight one another, it ended on a drawn, since Millia wanted to Zato-1 to take his place and both teleported away)

[HeraldOfOpera]

I've seen a lot of people saying immortality is good or bad, but I haven't seen anything quite like this song ignoring the question entirely by praising the idea of living in the moment.

[ali_altoxin]

I already said this somewhere, but I want to point out some interestng aspect of this song: did you noticed how light, common, classical and "normal" this sounds? Especially after "The Gravity", "Symphony" and "The Circle" (they are amazing, literally my favs)
"Ups and Downs" dosnt have any cool strange instruments, special vocal techniques, strange harmony, multiple rhythms or smth else, it's just jazzy, classy masterpiece without any abnormal and untraditional music experiments.
While lot of other character's themes telling a stories of hardship, loneliness, fear, PTSD (Leo moment) or smth, Slayer's theme tells just about his chill vibe and relaxed attitude to life. He doesn't have any hardships and problems with his life, he is just enjoying it, even if there will be some "Downs", not only " Ups" (same vibe with Axel's, HC's and Elphelt's themes)

I absolutely adore this song. Daisuke's cooking is on a 5★ Michelin level 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🍝🧆🍲

[MrShadowCollector]

Surrounded by precious things, the heart turns into stone.

Daisuke. Stop cooking 😭 You're already peak D A N D Y

[ARandomNope]

Naoki just released the official lyrics through his usual place: Twitter
almost all of these lyrics are correct here except for a single phrase:

"My friend enjoyed Paradise for the Palate
holding a platinum knife with sapphire gloves
but his eyes did not shine
What he needs is an economic overthrow"

these are some weird-ass lyrics, but listening to them along with the song, they fit exactly.

[Oblivionblade]

The shortest song in Strive but one of the best

[breadslise]

Although its the shortest character theme so far, the dandy man doesn’t need all those minutes to release a banger

[darkanayer]

If Sol's theme is "Sounds like a Bar fight and you are winning" then I declare Ups and Downs as

"This sounds like you are in a bar fight and your date has given you permission to join in"

[suonododici]

I'M NOT YOUR DADDY I'M YOUR GRANDPA

[LasMs_]

This man, is one of the very fundamental pillars of Overpowered Characters done perfectly.








*And Dandily of course-*

[Ramseyone]

"My beloved awaits, so struggle if you wish... it WILL be over quickly... "

[shumjuna]

I just LOVE the way you timed Slayer's combo to the beat at 1:59.