Mili is a Japanese indie music group famous for combining classical, electronic, and experimental styles. The band, which was formed in 2012, features composer Yamato Kasai and vocalist Cassie Wei (momo cashew).

Their poetic lyrics, often in multiple languages, show fantasy, emotion, and storytelling. Mili has also gained global recognition through contributions to anime, games, and rhythm music platforms.

About the Song

Red Dahlia is a dark and emotional song about a deep, painful obsession. The singer talks about a feeling that grows inside her like a flower called a dahlia. This feeling is connected to someone who has hurt her, and it keeps blooming inside her even though it causes pain.

The song uses the image of a flower growing and blooming to show how this strong emotion takes over her life. It also hints at themes of suffering, healing, and the struggle to move on.

Meaning of The Song

Red Dahlia by Mili is a haunting and metaphorical song that shows the traumatic aftermath of abuse and the resulting pregnancy.

The lyrics weave a narrative where the singer, seeking help from a doctor, instead becomes the victim of a violation that leaves her physically and emotionally scarred.

The Dahlia flower, representing the child born from this trauma, becomes a recurring symbol- its growth and blooming fueled by the singer’s pain and blood.

This flower is not only a literal child but also a manifestation of the singer’s obsession and the unhealed wounds left behind.

Throughout the song, the imagery of blooming, withering, and blooming again shows the cyclical nature of trauma and its silent persistence in the singer’s life.

The request to be “separated in half so the doctor can stitch me back up again” points to both the physical act of childbirth (possibly by C-section) and the deep emotional rupture caused by the experience.

The Secret Garden and the act of blooming in silence suggest that the trauma, though unacknowledged, continues to grow within her.

Ultimately, “Red Dahlia” uses dark, poetic symbolism to portray how abuse and its consequences can become an all-consuming force, shaping the survivor’s identity and emotional world.

The song stands as a stark warning about the destructive power of unchecked obsession and the lingering pain of unspoken trauma.

Red Dahlia Lyrics by Mili (Indie)

Verse 1

Hey doctor, take my temperature
Think I’ve got a fever
Why doctor you make me feel worse
Your touch raises my pressure

Verse 2

Blooms, it blooms, the seed that you left inside
It blooms, no need for air or sunlight
It blooms, with my blood it stays alive
[?]

Verse 3

My soil is spread
Before your eyes
Look at me
Don’t you see
Your dahlia has flowered

Verse 4

Blooms, it blooms
The secret garden serenades, germinates
Florets turn bright red
Lu-li-la, li-la, lu-li-la
Smile at me smile at me endlessly

Verse 5

Separate me in half
So the doctor can stitch me back up, up inside
Separate me in half
Prosper my dear dahlia

Verse 6

It blooms, it blooms, the dahlia blooms
It blooms, it blooms, the dahlia withers and droops
Then blooms, and blooms, forever it blooms
And dies, and blooms, silently it blooms
[?]

Similar Songs Like Red Dahlia

Here are some songs by Mili that share a similar dark, poetic, and emotionally complex atmosphere as ‘Red Dahlia.’

• Grown-up’s Paradise: A thoughtful piece that digs into the loss of innocence and the unsettling realities of adulthood, mixing playful melodies with a bittersweet undertone.
• Ga1ahad and Scientific Witchery: This song weaves a mysterious narrative filled with imagery and layered emotions, mirroring the symbolic nature of “Red Dahlia.”
• Through Patches of Violet: This track is dreamlike and thoughtful, giving a sense of longing and melancholy, painting bright scenes of memory and emotion.

Similar Artists Like Mili

Below are some artists similar to Mili, who are known for their unique fusion of classical, electronic, and experimental stylesalong with their genres and top albums:

• Aivi & Surashu
  Genre: Classical and Electronic
  Top Album: Aivi & Surashu (self-titled)
• MYTH & ROID
  Genre: J-Pop / Electronic
  Top Album: *eYe’s* (2018)
• Reol
  Genre: J-Pop / Electronic
  Top Album: *No Title+* (2016)
• Yuki Kajiura
  Genre: Neo-Classical / Anime Soundtrack
  Top Album: *Fiction* (2003)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Dahlia Based on a True Story?

There’s no official statement; the lyrics are open to interpretation.

What Instruments are Used in the Song?

Piano, strings, and electronic sounds are featured.

Why is Red Dahlia Popular Among Fans?

Fans appreciate its deep lyrics, unique sound, and emotional storytelling.