Category: Uncategorized

プラスティック・ラブ [Purasutikku Rabu]
竹内まりや [Takeuchi Mariya]
Words & Music : 竹内まりや [Takeuchi Mariya]

“Plastic Love” is originally a track from the 1984 album “Variety”. The song was written and composed by Mariya Takeuchi, and produced with the arrangement of her husband, Tatsuro Yamashita. The sophisticated, Western-style arrangement is believed to reflect Yamashita’s tastes.

In the late 2010s, a wave of reevaluation of 1980s Japanese sophisticated pop and funk, now referred to as “City Pop,” began overseas, leading to numerous remixes and re-edits being uploaded to the internet.
Among them, an unofficial upload of “Plastic Love” on YouTube in 2017 has recorded over 24 million views. “Plastic Love” became a staple in the genre of “Future Funk,” being widely featured in overseas media and becoming famous among music enthusiasts.

突然のキスや熱いまなざしで
totsuzen no kisu ya atsui manazashi de
恋のプログラムを狂わせないでね
koi no puroguramu o kuruwasenai de ne

• 突然 [totsuzen] : suddenly
• キス [kisu] : kiss
• 熱い [atsui] : hot
• まなざし [manazashi] : gaze
• 恋 [koi] : love
• プログラム [puroguramu] : program
• 狂わせる [kuruwaseru] : disrupt

(translation) “Don’t disrupt the love program with a sudden kiss or a hot gaze.”

What does “love program” mean?

出逢いと別れ上手に打ち込んで
dea to wakare jōzu ni uchikonde
時間がくれば終わる Don’t hurry!
jikan ga kureba owaru Don’t hurry!

• 出会い（であい） [deai] : encounter
• 別れ（わかれ） [wakare] : farewell
• 上手な（じょうずな） [jōzu na] : skillful
• 打ち込む（うちこむ） [uchikomu] : input
• 時間（じかん） [jikan] : time
• くる（くる） [kuru] : come
• 終わる（おわる） [owaru] : end

(translation) “Skillfully input encounters and farewells,
and when the time comes, it will end. Don’t hurry!”

The phrase “when the time comes, it will end” is spoken as if it’s office work. Love is being treated as if it’s a job. “Program” and “input” are being used as office work terms.

愛に傷ついたあの日からずっと
ai ni kizutsuita ano hi kara zutto
昼と夜が逆の暮らしを続けて
hiru to yoru ga gyaku no kurashi o tsudzukete

• 愛（あい） [ai] : love
• 傷つく（きずつく） [kizutsuku] : hurt
• あの [ano] : that
• 日（ひ） [hi] : day
• ずっと [zutto] : all the time
• 昼（ひる） [hiru] : day
• 夜（よる） [yoru] : night
• 逆（ぎゃく） [gyaku] : reverse
• 暮らし（くらし） [kurashi] : living
• 続ける（つづける） [tsudzukeru] : continue

(translation) “Ever since that day when I was hurt by love,
I’ve been living with day and night reversed.”

はやりのDiscoで踊り明かすうちに
hayari no Disco de odori akasu uchi ni
おぼえた魔術なのよ I’m sorry!
oboeta majutsu na no yo I’m sorry!

• はやりの [hayari no] : trendy
• ディスコ [Disco] : disco
• 踊る（おどる） [odoru] : dance
• 明かす（あかす） [akasu] : stay up
• 覚える（おぼえる） [oboeru] : learn
• 魔術（まじゅつ） [majutsu] : magic

(translation) “While dancing all night at the trendy disco,
I learned this magic. I’m sorry!”

Disco refers to what we now call a nightclub. It’s a term reflecting the popularity of the 1970s and 1980s.
“明かす / akasu” implies staying up all night and reaching the morning as a result of dancing.

The subject is omitted in this sentence, so it’s unclear what the magic is exactly, but perhaps it means that becoming able to treat love as if it were a job is like being a magician?

私のことを決して本気で愛さないで
watashi no koto o kesshite honki de aisanai de
恋なんてただのゲーム 楽しめばそれでいいの
koi nante tada no gēmu tanoshimeba sore de ī no
閉ざした心を飾る 派手なドレスも靴も 孤独な友だち
tozashita kokoro o kazaru hade na doresu mo kutsu mo kodoku na tomodachi

• 私（わたし） [watashi] : I
• 決して…ない（けっして…ない） [kesshite…nai] : never
• 愛する（あいする） [aisuru] : love
• 恋（こい） [koi] : love
• ただの [tada no] : just
• ゲーム [gēmu] : game
• 楽しむ（たのしむ） [tanoshimu] : enjoy
• いい [ī] : good
• 閉ざす（とざす） [tozasu] : close
• 心（こころ） [kokoro] : heart
• 飾る（かざる） [kazaru] : decorate
• 派手（はで） [hade] : flashy
• ドレス [doresu] : dress
• 靴（くつ） [kutsu] : shoes
• 孤独（こどく） [kodoku] : loneliness
• 友達（ともだち） [tomodachi] : friend

(translation) “Never love me seriously.
Love is just a game; it’s fine as long as you enjoy it.
The flashy dresses and shoes that decorate my closed heart are lonely friends.”

私を誘う人は皮肉なものね いつも彼に似てるわ
watashi o sasou hito wa hiniku na mono ne itsumo kare ni niteru wa
なぜか思い出と重なり合う
nazeka omoide to kasanari au
グラスを落として急に涙ぐんでも わけは尋ねないでね
gurasu o otoshite kyū ni namidagunde mo wake wa tazunenaide ne

• 誘う（さそう） [sasou] : invite
• 人（ひと） [hito] : person
• 皮肉（ひにく） [hiniku] : irony
• いつも [itsumo] : always
• 彼（かれ） [kare] : he
• 似ている（にている） [niteiru] : resemble
• なぜか [nazeka] : somehow
• 思い出（おもいで） [omoide] : memory
• 重なる（かさなる） [kasanaru] : overlap
• グラス [gurasu] : glass
• 落とす（おとす） [otosu] : drop
• 急に（きゅうに） [kyū ni] : suddenly
• 涙ぐむ（なみだぐむ） [namidagumu] : become teary
• わけ [wake] : reason
• たずねる [tazuneru] : ask

(translation) “The person who invites me is always ironic, always resembling him.
Somehow, it overlaps with memories.
Even if I suddenly become teary and drop a glass, please don’t ask the reason.”

夜更けの高速で眠りにつくころ
yofuke no kōsoku de nemuri ni tsuku koro
ハロゲンライトだけ妖しく輝く
harogen raito dake ayashiku kagayaku

• 夜更け（よふけ） [yofuke] : late night
• 高速道路（こうそくどうろ） [kōsokudōro] : highway
• 眠る（ねむる） [nemuru] : sleep
• ころ [koro] : around
• ハロゲンライト [harogen raito] : halogen light
• 輝く（かがやく） [kagayaku] : shine

(translation) “Around the time I fall asleep on the highway late at night, only the halogen lights shine eerily.”

“高速” (kōsoku) is an abbreviation for “高速道路” (kōsokudōro) (=highway).

氷のように冷たい女だと
kōri no yō ni tsumetai onna da to
ささやく声がしても Don’t worry!
sasayaku koe ga shite mo Don’t worry!

• 氷（こおり） [kōri] : ice
• ように [yō ni] : like
• 冷たい（つめたい） [tsumetai] : cold
• 女（おんな） [onna] : woman
• 囁く（ささやく） [sasayaku] : whisper
• 声（こえ） [koe] : voice

(translation) “Even if a whispering voice says I’m a cold woman like ice, don’t worry!”

The part “Don’t worry” feels more fitting as “I don’t worry.”
Since this is the first article, let me state that focusing too much on small details won’t help us progress (a reminder to myself as well).

I’m just playing games I know that’s plastic love
Dance to the plastic beat Another morning comes
I’m just playing games I know that’s plastic love
Dance to the plastic beat Another morning comes

The lyrics depict a city woman enjoying free love while sometimes feeling lonely. Regarding the lyrics,
it’s a bit unusual that the English interjections come in sporadically. Usually, English lyrics are inserted at the beginning of the chorus. It can be said that it was uniquely made to sound like Western music.
Musically, I think it’s really cool. A bit old-fashioned, but really cool, is probably the impression people have nowadays.

ラブ・ストーリーは突然に [Rabu Sutōrī wa Totsuzen ni]
小田和正 [ODA Kazumasa]
Words & Music : 小田和正 [ODA Kazumasa]

“Love Story wa Totsuzen ni” is a song by Kazumasa Oda, released in 1991. It was created as a tie-up song for the TV drama “Tokyo Love Story ^YT.” The song sold about 2.7 million copies, setting a sales record in Japan at the time.
The drama “Tokyo Love Story,” based on Fumi Saimon’s popular manga, reflected the atmosphere of the bubble economy and was supported by young women, becoming a big hit. By the way, Japanese TV dramas produced in the early ’90s came to be called “torendi dorama” (=trendy dramas).
In the drama, “Love Story wa Totsuzen ni” was frequently used as background music, enhancing the storyline.

Let’s first explain the meaning of title “ラブ・ストーリーは突然に / Rabu Sutōrī wa Totsuzen ni”.

• 突然（とつぜん） [totsuzen] : sudden

Literally translated, it means “Love Story Suddenly.” I believe it doesn’t relate to the song’s lyrics. Rather, it seems linked to the content of the drama. If so, it could be “Love Story begins suddenly.”
As an aside, the word “totsuzen / 突然” is an adverb, and “ni / に” is unnecessary. The title’s grammar is completely incorrect, but somehow, it feels natural and even rhythmic. I think it’s a very strategically thought-out title.

何から伝えればいいのか分からないまま時は流れて
nani kara tsutaereba ī no ka wakaranai mama toki wa nagarete

• 何（なに） [nani] : what
• 伝える（つたえる） [tsutaeru] : tell
• いい（いい） [ī] : good
• わからない（わからない） [wakaranai] : not understand
• まま（まま） [mama] : as it is
• 時（とき） [toki] : time
• 流れる（ながれる） [nagarete] : flow

(translation) “As I don’t know what to tell, time flows on.”

One of the themes of this song is the passage of time.
Remember the word “mama / まま.”

浮かんでは消えてゆくありふれた言葉だけ
ukande wa kiete yuku arifureta kotoba dake

• 浮かぶ（うかぶ） [ukabu] : float
• 消える（きえる） [kieru] : disappear
• ありふれた（ありふれた） [arifureta] : commonplace
• 言葉（ことば） [kotoba] : words

In the lyrics, the word order is sometimes reversed, making it hard to interpret them grammatically.
You could translate it as
“Only commonplace words float and disappear.”
However, if you read in the order of the words, it could also be translated as
“Various words float and disappear. And only the commonplace words remain.”

君があんまりすてきだから
kimi ga anmari suteki dakara
ただすなおに好きと言えないで
tada sunao ni suki to ienai de

• 君（きみ） [kimi] : you
• あんまり（あんまり） [anmari] : too
• 素敵（すてき） [suteki] : wonderful
• 素直（すなお） [sunao] : honest
• 好き（すき） [suki] : love
• 言う（いう） [iu] : say

(translation) “Because you are so wonderful,
I just can’t honestly say I love you.”

“Anmari” and “amari” are the same.
“Ienaide” (cannot say) and “ienakute” are the same.

多分もうすぐ雨も止んで二人たそがれ
tabun mōsugu ame mo yande futari tasogare

• 多分（たぶん） [tabun] : maybe
• もうすぐ（もうすぐ） [mōsugu] : soon
• 雨（あめ） [ame] : rain
• やむ（やむ） [yamu] : stop
• 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two person
• たそがれる（たそがれる） [tasogaru] : twilight

(translation) “Maybe the rain will soon stop, and the two of us will be in twilight.”

The origin of “たそがれ / tasogare” is the old Japanese phrase “Ta zo kare” meaning “Who is that?” It then came to refer to the time when it’s hard to recognize faces, i.e., twilight.
Further, it also came to be used colloquially to mean “to ponder.” Here, it has that meaning.
In the song “Lipstick Message (Rouge no Dengon)”, it is used in its original sense.

あの日あの時あの場所で君に会えなかったら
ano hi ano toki ano basho de kimi ni aenakattara
僕等はいつまでも見知らぬ二人のまま
bokura wa itsumademo mishiranu futari no mama

• あの（あの） [ano] : that
• 日（ひ） [hi] : day
• 時（とき） [toki] : time
• 場所（ばしょ） [basho] : place
• 会う（あう） [au] : meet
• 僕（ぼく） [boku] : I
• いつまでも（いつまでも） [itsumademo] : forever
• 見知らぬ（みしらぬ） [mishiranu] : unknown

(translation) “If we hadn’t met on that day, at that time, in that place,
we would remain two strangers forever.”

This part is a hypothetical look back at the past.
It’s like setting a time and place and… it kind of reminds you of the famous movie “Back to the Future” (1985), doesn’t it?

“僕 / Boku” is “I,” and attaching “ら / ra” makes “bokura” (=us). It can also be said as “bokutachi.” “Futari” is “two persons” but frequently appears in the lyrics as a symbolic meaning. “Bokura” and “futari” both mean “two of us.”

誰かが甘く誘う言葉にもう心揺れたりしないで
dareka ga amaku sasou kotoba ni mō kokoro yuretari shinaide
切ないけどそんなふうに心は縛れない
setsunai kedo sonna fū ni kokoro wa shibarenai

• 誰か（だれか） [dareka] : someone
• 甘い（あまい） [amai] : sweet
• 誘う（さそう） [sasou] : invite
• もう（もう） [mō] : already
• 心（こころ） [kokoro] : heart
• 揺れる（ゆれる） [yureru] : sway
• 切ない（せつない） [setsunai] : poignant
• 縛る（しばる） [shibaru] : bind

(translation) “Don’t let sweet words from someone else sway your heart anymore.
It’s poignant, but the heart cannot be bound in that way.”

“切ない / setsunai” is said to be a unique Japanese word that means “painful or bittersweet, with feelings of sadness or longing.” However, many young people use it simply to mean “regretful.”

明日になれば君をきっと今よりもっと好きになる
ashita ni nareba kimi o kitto ima yori motto suki ni naru
そのすべてが僕のなかで時を超えてゆく
sono subete ga boku no naka de toki o koete yuku

• 明日（あした） [ashita] : tomorrow
• なる（なる） [naru] : become
• 今（いま） [ima] : now
• より（より） [yori] : than
• もっと（もっと） [motto] : more
• 全て（すべて） [subete] : all
• 超える（こえる） [koeru] : transcend

(translation) “Tomorrow, I’ll surely love you more than now.
All of it transcends time within me.”

“時を超える / toki o koeru” literally means “to transcend time.” For example, it can be used in the context of music from 1991 reaching people in 2024.

君のためにつばさになる君を守りつづける
kimi no tame ni tsubasa ni naru kimi o mamori tsudzukeru
やわらかく君をつつむあの風になる
yawarakaku kimi o tsutsumu ano kaze ni naru
あの日あの時あの場所で君に会えなかったら
ano hi ano toki ano basho de kimi ni aenakattara
僕等はいつまでも見知らぬ二人のまま
bokura wa itsumademo mishiranu futari no mama

• ため（ため） [tame] : for
• つばさ（つばさ） [tsubasa] : wings
• 守る（まもる） [mamoru] : protect
• 続け る（つづける） [tsudzukeru] : continue
• やわらかい（やわらかい） [yawarakai] : gentle
• つつむ（つつむ） [tsutsumu] : wrap
• 風（かぜ） [kaze] : wind

君のためにつばさになる　君を守りつづける
kimi no tame ni tsubasa ni naru kimi o mamori tsudzukeru
やわらかく君をつつむあの風になる
yawarakaku kimi o tsutsumu ano kaze ni naru
あの日あの時あの場所で君に会えなかったら
ano hi ano toki ano basho de kimi ni aenakattara
僕等はいつまでも見知らぬ二人のまま
bokura wa itsumademo mishiranu futari no mama

今君の心が動いた言葉止めて肩を寄せて
ima kimi no kokoro ga ugoita kotoba tomete kata o yosete
僕は忘れないこの日を君を誰にも渡さない
boku wa wasurenai kono hi o kimi o darenimo watasanai

• 動く（うごく） [ugoku] : move
• 肩（かた） [kata] : shoulder
• 忘れる（わすれる） [wasureru] : forget
• 渡す（わたす） [watasu] : give

(translation) “Now that your heart has moved, I’ll stop the words and draw close to you.
I won’t forget this day, and I won’t let anyone take you away.”

君のためにつばさになる君を守りつづける
kimi no tame ni tsubasa ni naru kimi o mamori tsudzukeru
やわらかく君をつつむあの風になる
yawarakaku kimi o tsutsumu ano kaze ni naru
あの日あの時あの場所で君に会えなかったら
ano hi ano toki ano basho de kimi ni aenakattara
僕等はいつまでも見知らぬ二人のまま
bokura wa itsumademo mishiranu futari no mama

誰かが甘く誘う言葉に心揺れたりしないで
dareka ga amaku sasou kotoba ni kokoro yuretari shinaide
君をつつむあの風になる
kimi o tsutsumu ano kaze ni naru
あの日あの時あの場所で君に会えなかったら
ano hi ano toki ano basho de kimi ni aenakattara
僕等はいつまでも見知らぬ二人のまま
bokura wa itsumademo mishiranu futari no mama

The lyrics that evoke the image of a time machine blend seamlessly into a dramatic love story, making it intriguing. This song often evokes a feeling of acceleration.
The electric guitar backing seems to contribute to this acceleration. Many guitarists copy the introductory part.

どんなときも。 [Donna Toki Mo.]
Noriyuki Makihara
Words & Music : Noriyuki Makihara

Noriyuki Makihara is a singer-songwriter from Osaka Prefecture. He handles almost all the lyrics, composition, and arrangement of his songs by himself. He’s the same type as Tatsuro Yamashita, whom I introduced yesterday.

Noriyuki Makihara tends to create lyrics before the melody. His lyrics are crafted in very careful and easy-to-understand Japanese, making them easy to grasp even if you read only lyrics. I highly recommend them. Since the 1990s, there has been a trend of songs that emphasize music over lyrics, leading to more abstract or sensory lyrics, so his songs are quite valuable.

“Donna Toki Mo.” is Noriyuki Makihara’s third single. It was adopted as the theme song for the movie “Shūshoku Sensēn Ijō Nashi ^YT” (No Worries on the Recruit Front), which served as the turning point for his rise to fame. Ultimately, this song became his biggest hit.

• どんな [donna] : any kind of
• 時（とき） [toki] : time

“どんな時も / donna toki mo” means “no matter what the time.” There’s a Japanese period “。” at the end in the title どんなときも。 [Donna Toki Mo.], so it feels like “No Matter What the Time.”. If asked what meaning it has, it’s a bit difficult to explain, but it can be said to create a unique atmosphere, giving it a somewhat literary feel. Can you imagine it? In subcultures, this expression is occasionally used, adding a kind of rule-breaking charm.
What’s even stranger is that some artists use this in their names. Famous examples include “モーニング娘。: Morning Musume” “ゲスの極み乙女。 : Gesu no Kiwami Otome” and “ずっと真夜中でいいのに。 : Zutomayo.”

僕の背中は自分が思うより正直かい?
boku no senaka wa jibun ga omou yori shōjiki kai
誰かに聞かなきゃ不安になってしまうよ
dareka ni kikanakya fuan ni natte shimau yo

• 僕（ぼく） [boku] : I
• 背中（せなか） [senaka] : back
• 自分（じぶん） [jibun] : oneself
• 思う（おもう） [omou] : think
• 正直（しょうじき） [shōjiki] : honest
• 誰か（だれか） [dareka] : someone
• 聞く（きく） [kiku] : ask
• 不安（ふあん） [fuan] : anxiety
• なる（なる） [naru] : become

(translation) “Is my back more honest than I think?
I feel uneasy if I don’t ask someone.”

In Japanese, there’s an expression about one’s back “telling a story.” Even without speaking or showing facial expressions, sometimes you can understand someone’s emotions just by their posture when viewed from behind. Whether they seem happy or sad, you can somehow tell, right?

旅立つ僕の為にちかったあの夢は
tabidatsu boku no tame ni chikatta ano yume wa
古ぼけた教室のすみにおきざりのまま
furuboketa kyōshitsu no sumi ni okizari no mama

• 旅立つ（たびだつ） [tabidatsu] : set out
• ため [tame] : for the sake of
• 誓う（ちかう） [chikau] : swear
• あの [ano] : that
• 夢（ゆめ） [yume] : dream
• 古ぼけた（ふるぼけた） [furuboketa] : worn out
• 教室（きょうしつ） [kyōshitsu] : classroom
• すみ [sumi] : corner
• 置き去り（おきざり） [okizari] : left behind

(translation) “The dream I swore for when I set out
remains left behind in a worn-out classroom’s corner.”

あの泥だらけのスニーカーじゃ追い越せないのは
ano dorodarake no sunīkā ja oikosena no wa
電車でも時間でもなく僕かもしれないけど
densha demo jikan demo naku boku kamo shirenai kedo

• 泥（どろ） [doro] : mud
• だらけ [darake] : covered with
• スニーカー [sunīkā] : sneakers
• 追い越す（おいこす） [oikosu] : overtake
• 電車（でんしゃ） [densha] : train
• 時間（じかん） [jikan] : time
• かもしれない [kamo shirenai] : might be

(translation) “What those mud-covered sneakers can’t overtake
might not be the train or time, but myself.”

The “me” who still hasn’t reached the dream.

どんなときもどんなときも
donna toki mo donna toki mo
僕が僕らしくあるために
boku ga bokurashiku aru tame ni
「好きなものは好き!」と
“suki na mono wa suki!” to
言えるきもち抱きしめてたい
ieru kimochi dakishimetetai

• 僕らしく [bokurashiku] : true to myself
• 好き（すき） [suki] : like
• 言う（いう） [iu] : say
• 気持ち（きもち） [kimochi] : feeling
• 抱きしめる（だきしめる） [dakishimeru] : embrace

(translation) “No matter when, no matter when
To stay true to myself
I want to hold on to the feeling of being able to say, ‘I like what I like!’”

どんなときもどんなときも
donna toki mo donna toki mo
迷い探し続ける日々が
mayoi sagashi tsuzukeru hibi ga
答えになること僕は知ってるから
kotae ni naru koto boku wa shitteru kara

• 迷う（まよう） [mayou] : hesitate
• 探す（さがす） [sagasu] : search
• 続ける（つづける） [tsuzukeru] : continue
• 日々（ひび） [hibi] : days
• 答え（こたえ） [kotae] : answer
• 知っている（しっている） [shitte iru] : know

(translation) “No matter when, no matter when
Because I know that the days spent hesitating and searching will become the answer.”

もしも他の誰かを知らずに傷つけても
moshimo hoka no dareka o shirazu ni kizutsukete mo
絶対ゆずれない夢が僕にはあるよ
zettai yuzurenai yume ga boku ni wa aru yo

• もしも [moshimo] : if
• 他（ほか） [hoka] : others
• 誰か（だれか） [dareka] : someone
• 傷つける（きずつける） [kizutsukeru] : hurt
• 絶対（ぜったい） [zettai] : absolutely
• ゆずれない [yuzurenai] : can’t compromise
• ある [aru] : have

(translation) “Even if I unknowingly hurt someone else
there’s a dream I absolutely can’t compromise on.”

“僕には夢がある / boku ni wa yume ga aru” (=I have a dream) is a phrase worth remembering as is.

“昔は良かったね”といつも口にしながら
“mukashi wa yokatta ne” to itsumo kuchi ni shinagara
生きて行くのは本当に嫌だから
ikite iku no wa hontō ni iya dakara

• 昔（むかし） [mukashi] : past
• 良い（よい） [yoi] : good
• いつも [itsumo] : always
• 口にする（くちにする） [kuchi ni suru] : say
• 生きる（いきる） [ikiru] : live
• 本当に（ほんとうに） [hontō ni] : really
• 嫌（いや） [iya] : hate

(translation) “Because I really hate living
while always saying, ‘The past was better.’”

消えたいくらい辛い気持ち抱えていても
kietai kurai tsurai kimochi kakaete itemo
鏡の前笑ってみるまだ平気みたいだよ
kagami no mae waratte miru mada heiki mitai da yo

• 消える（きえる） [kieru] : disappear
• 辛い（つらい） [tsurai] : painful
• 気持ち（きもち） [kimochi] : feeling
• 抱える（かかえる） [kakaeru] : hold
• 鏡（かがみ） [kagami] : mirror
• 前（まえ） [mae] : in front
• 笑う（わらう） [warau] : smile
• まだ [mada] : still
• 平気だ（へいきだ） [heiki da] : okay
• みたい [mitai] : seems

(translation) “Even if I’m holding on to feelings so painful I want to disappear
I smile in front of the mirror—it still seems like I’m okay.”

どんなときもどんなときも
donna toki mo donna toki mo
ビルの間きゅうくつそうに
biru no aida kyūkutsu sō ni
落ちて行く夕陽に
ochite iku yūhi ni
焦る気持ち溶かして行こう
aseru kimochi tokashite ikō

• ビル [biru] : building
• 間（あいだ） [aida] : between
• 窮屈（きゅうくつ） [kyūkutsu] : cramped
• 落ちる（おちる） [ochiru] : fall
• 夕日（ゆうひ） [yūhi] : sunset
• 焦る（あせる） [aseru] : rush
• 溶かす（とかす） [tokasu] : melt

(translation) “No matter when, no matter when
In the cramped space between buildings,
I’ll melt away my rushing feelings
with the setting sun.”

そしていつか誰かを愛し
soshite itsuka dareka o aishi
その人を守れる強さを
sono hito o mamoreru tsuyosa o
自分の力に変えて行けるように
jibun no chikara ni kaete ikeru yō ni

• そして [soshite] : and then
• いつか [itsuka] : someday
• 愛する（あいする） [aisuru] : love
• その [sono] : that
• 人（ひと） [hito] : person
• 守る（まもる） [mamoru] : protect
• 強さ（つよさ） [tsuyosa] : strength
• 自分（じぶん） [jibun] : myself
• 力（ちから） [chikara] : power
• 変える（かえる） [kaeru] : change
• 行く（いく） [iku] : go

(translation) “And then, someday,
I’ll turn the strength to protect the one I love
into my own power.”

“行く / iku” means “go,” but it’s often combined with other verbs. In the lyrics, there are distinctions, such as with “生きる / ikiru” (=live), “生きていく / ikite iku” (=keep on living), “落ちる / ochiru” (=fall), “落ちていく / ochite iku” (=keep on falling), and “変える / kaeru” (=change), “変えていく / kaete iku” (=gradually change). The inclusion of the sense of moving forward gives these words a more positive feeling.

どんなときもどんなときも
donna toki mo donna toki mo
僕が僕らしくあるために
boku ga bokurashiku aru tame ni
「好きなものは好き!」と
“suki na mono wa suki!” to
言えるきもち抱きしめてたい
ieru kimochi dakishimetetai
どんなときもどんなときも
donna toki mo donna toki mo
迷い探し続ける日々が
mayoi sagashi tsuzukeru hibi ga
答えになること僕は知ってるから
kotae ni naru koto boku wa shitteru kara

 

These are positive, uplifting lyrics. As mentioned earlier, Noriyuki Makihara’s lyrics are crafted with great care, and I believe his singing style also reflects this attentiveness. This makes his songs very easy to understand and pronounce, even for non-native speakers.

恋 [Koi]
星野源 [HOSHINO Gen]
Words & Music : 星野源 [HOSHINO Gen]

The rising star Gen Hoshino, who has openly expressed his admiration for Haruomi Hosono and related music, is a singer-songwriter who also works as an actor and writer.
He led the instrumental band Sakerock from 2000, playing the marimba and guitar. From 2010, he focused on his solo career, gaining recognition while also appearing in various acting roles.

In 2016, he starred in the TV drama “Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu ^YT” (based on a Hungarian proverb), for which he also created the song “Koi” as its theme song.

• 恋（こい） [koi] : love, romance

This drama is a romantic comedy based on a manga with the same title (English title: “The Full-Time Wife Escapist ^wiki“). The drama was a huge hit, and this song became Gen Hoshino’s biggest hit.
The drama is set in a household and includes themes like housekeepers and de facto marriages. While the lyrics are not directly related, there is a slight connection, which makes it worth considering when interpreting the song.
This drama also led to Hoshino marrying the heroine, Yui Aragaki.

営みの
itonami no
街が暮れたら色めき
machi ga kuretara iromeki
風たちは運ぶわ
kaze-tachi wa hakobu wa
カラスと人々の群れ
karasu to hitobito no mure

• 営み（いとなみ） [itonami] : activity
• 街（まち） [machi] : town
• 暮れる（くれる） [kureru] : to get dark
• 風（かぜ） [kaze] : wind
• 運ぶ（はこぶ） [hakobu] : carry
• カラス（からす） [karasu] : crow
• 人々（ひとびと） [hitobito] : people
• 群れ（むれ） [mure] : flock

(translation) “As activities wind down,
the town comes alive with color.
The winds carry along
the crows and flocks of people.”

意味なんか
imi nanka
ないさ暮らしがあるだけ
naisa kurashi ga aru dake
ただ腹を空かせて
tada hara o sukasete
君の元へ帰るんだ
kimi no moto e kaerun da

• 意味（いみ） [imi] : meaning
• ない [nai] : not exist
• 暮らし（くらし） [kurashi] : life
• ある [aru] : exist
• ただ [tada] : just
• 腹がすく（はらがすく） [hara ga suku] : to be hungry
• 君（きみ） [kimi] : you
• 元（もと） [moto] : origin
• 帰る（かえる） [kaeru] : return

(translation) “There’s no meaning,
just life that exists.
With an empty stomach,
I return to you.”

物心ついたらふと
monogokoro tsuitara futo
見上げて思うことが
miagete omou koto ga
この世にいる誰も
kono yo ni iru daremo
二人から
futari kara

• 物心つく（ものごころつく） [monogokoro tsuku] : to become aware
• 見上げる（みあげる） [miageru] : look up
• 思う（おもう） [omou] : think
• こと [koto] : thing
• この世（このよ） [kono yo] : this world
• いる [iru] : exist
• 誰も（だれも） [daremo] : everyone
• 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two people

(translation) “Once I become aware,
I look up and think.
Everyone in this world,
comes from two.”

胸の中にあるもの
mune no naka ni aru mono
いつか見えなくなるもの
itsuka mienakunaru mono
それは側にいること
sore wa soba ni iru koto
いつも思い出して
itsumo omoidashite

• 胸（むね） [mune] : chest
• 中（なか） [naka] : inside
• もの [mono] : thing
• いつか [itsuka] : someday
• 見える（みえる） [mieru] : see
• それ [sore] : that
• そば [soba] : beside
• いる [iru] : exist
• いつも [itsumo] : always
• 思い出す（おもいだす） [omoidasu] : recall

(translation) “What’s inside your chest,
the things you won’t see someday,
is being beside you.
Always remember.”

君の中にあるもの
kimi no naka ni aru mono
距離の中にある鼓動
kyori no naka ni aru kodō
恋をしたの貴方の
koi o shita no anata no
指の混ざり 頬の香り
yubi no mazari hō no kaori
夫婦を超えてゆけ
fūfu o koete yuke

• 距離（きょり） [kyori] : distance
• 鼓動（こどう） [kodō] : heartbeat
• あなた [anata] : you
• 指（ゆび） [yubi] : finger
• 混ざり（まざり） [mazari] : mix
• 頬（ほお） [hō] : cheek
• 香り（かおり） [kaori] : scent
• 夫婦（ふうふ） [fūfu] : married couple

(translation) “What’s inside you,
the heartbeat within the distance,
is the love I have for you.
The mix of your fingers and the scent of your cheek.
Go beyond being a couple.”

The concept of “Go beyond being a couple” is unique, and it seems to reflect the special love portrayed in this drama.

みにくいと
minikui to
秘めた想いは色づき
himeta omoi wa irozuki
白鳥は運ぶわ
hakuchō wa hakobu wa
当たり前を変えながら
atarimae o kae nagara

• 醜い（みにくい） [minikui] : ugly
• 秘める（ひめる） [himeru] : conceal
• 思い（おもい） [omoi] : thought
• 色づく（いろづく） [irozuku] : to color
• 白鳥（はくちょう） [hakuchō] : swan
• 運ぶ（はこぶ） [hakobu] : carry
• 当たり前（あたりまえ） [atarimae] : common sense
• 変える（かえる） [kaeru] : change

(translation) “Though it’s ugly,
the concealed thoughts color,
as the swans carry,
changing what’s taken for granted.”

恋せずにいられないな
koisezu ni irarenai na
似た顔も虚構にも
nita kao mo kyokō ni mo
愛が生まれるのは
ai ga umareru no wa
一人から
hitori kara

• 恋する（こいする） [koisuru] : to love
• 似る（にる） [niru] : resemble
• 顔（かお） [kao] : face
• 虚構（きょこう） [kyokō] : fiction
• 愛（あい） [ai] : love
• 生まれる（うまれる） [umareru] : to be born
• 一人（ひとり） [hitori] : one person

(translation) “I can’t help but fall in love,
with faces that resemble even fiction.
Love is born,
from just one person.”

胸の中にあるもの
mune no naka ni aru mono
いつか見えなくなるもの
itsuka mienakunaru mono
それは側にいること
sore wa soba ni iru koto
いつも思い出して
itsumo omoidashite
君の中にあるもの
kimi no naka ni aru mono
距離の中にある鼓動
kyori no naka ni aru kodō
恋をしたの貴方の
koi o shita no anata no
指の混ざり 頬の香り
yubi no mazari hō no kaori
夫婦を超えてゆけ
fūfu o koete yuke

(translation) “What’s inside you,
the heartbeat within the distance,
is the love I have for you.
The mix of your fingers and the scent of your cheek.
Go beyond being a couple.”

泣き顔も 黙る夜も 揺れる笑顔も
nakigao mo damaru yoru mo yureru egao mo
いつまでも いつまでも
itsumademo itsumademo

• 泣く（なく） [naku] : cry
• 黙る（だまる） [damaru] : silent
• 夜（よる） [yoru] : night
• 揺れる（ゆれる） [yureru] : sway
• 笑顔（えがお） [egao] : smile
• いつまでも [itsumademo] : forever

(translation) “Your crying face, the silent nights, and your swaying smile,
forever and ever.”

胸の中にあるもの
mune no naka ni aru mono
いつか見えなくなるもの
itsuka mienakunaru mono
それは側にいること
sore wa soba ni iru koto
いつも思い出して
itsumo omoidashite
君の中にあるもの
kimi no naka ni aru mono
距離の中にある鼓動
kyori no naka ni aru kodō
恋をしたの貴方の
koi o shita no anata no
指の混ざり 頬の香り
yubi no mazari hō no kaori
夫婦を超えてゆけ
fūfu o koete yuke

二人を超えてゆけ
futari o koete yuke
一人を超えてゆけ
hitori o koete yuke

(translation) “Go beyond two persons,
go beyond one person.”

It seems to suggest, “Let’s break through the concepts of being a couple or being single and move forward.”

As for the lyrics, there are many parts where the sentences are disjointed or difficult to understand. They are written with his unique sense of style.

In terms of music, while rooted in soul music and other forms of Black music, there are also unique Oriental sounds from the Chinese instrument, the erhu ^wiki, and Gen Hoshino’s specialty instrument, the marimba. These elements reflect the influence of Haruomi Hosono’s musical philosophy.
Another noteworthy aspect is the inclusion of young, distinctive musicians from the Black music genre in the backing band, such as Hama Okamoto and Ryosuke Nagaoka.

The dance from the music video, which has been viewed over 200 million times, was incorporated into the drama as the “Koi Dance,” sparking a nationwide trend in Japan. The choreography was done by Mikiko, who also worked with Perfume and Babymetal.

夜に駆ける [Yoru ni Kakeru]
YOASOBI [Yoasobi]
Words & Music : Ayase [Ayase]

Yoasobi is a duo composed of singer Lilas Ikuta and composer Ayase. They emerged from a project that turns amateur novels posted on a novel submission site into music. Yoru ni Kakeru is a song that follows this concept, with its lyrics based on a novel.

By the way, let me explain the meaning of the group’s name, “Yoasobi”. In Japanese, it is written as “夜遊び.”

• 夜（よる・よ） [yoru / yo] : night
• 遊び（あそび） [asobi] : play, have a good time

“夜遊び / Yoasobi” means to go out at night, to play until late. It’s an exciting word, don’t you think? Incidentally, around the same time, music groups such as “ヨルシカ = Yorushika” (=just only night) and “ずっと真夜中でいいのに。/ zutto mayonaka de iinoni = Zutomayo” (=It’s Fine Being Midnight Forever) debuted. All of these groups have “夜 / yoru” (=night) in their names, so they were often grouped under the keyword “夜行性 / yakōsei” (=nocturnal creatures).
The title of this song, ”夜に駆ける / yoru ni kakeru” also uses the word “夜 / yoru”.

• 駆ける（かける） [kakeru] : run

“夜に駆ける / yoru ni kakeru” means “run into the night.”

沈むように溶けてゆくように
shizumu yō ni tokete yuku yō ni
二人だけの空が広がる夜に
futari dake no sora ga hirogaru yoru ni

• 沈む（しずむ） [shizumu] : sink
• ..ように　[yō ni] : as if
• 溶ける（とける） [tokeru] : melt
• 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two people
• だけ　[dake] : only
• 空（そら） [sora] : sky
• 広がる（ひろがる） [hirogāru] : spread

(translation) “As if sinking, as if melting,
On a night when the sky just for the two of us expands.”

“..ように” (yō ni) is a phrase used to describe something happening in a certain manner. Normally, it would be followed by a verb, but here it doesn’t appear.

「さよなら」だけだった
“sayonara” dake datta
その一言で全てが分かった
sono hitokoto de subete ga wakatta
日が沈み出した空と君の姿
hi ga shizumidashita sora to kimi no sugata
フェンス越しに重なっていた
fensu goshi ni kasanatte ita

• さようなら　[sayōnara] : goodbye
• 一言（ひとこと） [hitokoto] : single word
• 全て（すべて） [subete] : all
• わかる（わかる） [wakaru] : understand
• 日（ひ） [hi] : sun
• 空（そら） [sora] : sky
• 君（きみ） [kimi] : you
• 姿（すがた） [sugata] : figure
• フェンス越し（ふぇんすごし） [fensu goshi] : across the fence
• 重なる（かさなる） [kasanaru] : overlap

(translation) “It was just ‘goodbye.’
With that single word, I understood everything.
The sun began to set, and your figure
Overlapped with the sky across the fence.”

“だった / datta” and “分かった / wakatta,” with verbs or auxiliary verbs ending in “た / ta,” indicate past tense. It creates a somewhat literary atmosphere.

初めて会った日から
hajimete atta hi kara
僕の心の全てを奪った
boku no kokoro no subete o ubatta
どこか儚い空気を纏う君は
dokoka hakanai kūki o matou kimi wa
寂しい目をしてたんだ
sabishī me o shite tanda

• 初めて（はじめて） [hajimete] : first time
• 会う（あう） [au] : meet
• 心（こころ） [kokoro] : heart
• 奪う（うばう） [ubau] : steal
• どこか [dokoka] : somewhere
• 儚い（はかない） [hakanai] : fleeting
• 空気（くうき） [kūki] : air
• まとう（まとう） [matou] : to wear
• 寂しい（さびしい） [sabishī] : lonely
• 目（め） [me] : eyes

(translation) “From the day we first met,
You stole my entire heart.
You, who always had an air of fleetingness,
Had lonely eyes.”

いつだってチックタックと
itsu datte chikutakku to
鳴る世界で何度だってさ
naru sekai de nando datte sa
触れる心無い言葉うるさい声に
fureru kokoronai kotoba urusai koe ni
涙が零れそうでも
namida ga koboresō demo
ありきたりな喜び
arikitari na yorokobi
きっと二人なら見つけられる
kitto futari nara mitsukerareru

• いつだって [itsu datte] : always
• ちくたく [chikutaku] : tick-tock
• 鳴る（なる） [naru] : sound
• 世界（せかい） [sekai] : world
• 何度だって [nando datte] : countless times
• 触れる（ふれる） [fureru] : touch
• 心無い（こころない） [kokoronai] : heartless
• 言葉（ことば） [kotoba] : words
• うるさい [urusai] : noisy
• 声（こえ） [koe] : voice
• 涙（なみだ） [namida] : tears
• 溢れる（あふれる） [afureru] : overflow
• ありきたり [arikitari] : ordinary
• 喜び（よろこび） [yorokobi] : joy
• きっと [kitto] : surely
• 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two people
• 見つける（みつける） [mitsukeru] : find

(translation) “Always, tick-tock,
In a world where the sound repeats countless times,
Even when heartless words and noisy voices touch me
And my tears seem about to overflow,
The ordinary joys—
Surely, we can find them if it’s the two of us.”

“Chikutaku” is an onomatopoeia that represents the sound of an analog clock’s hands moving. It’s very similar to the English “tick-tock”!

騒がしい日々に笑えない君に
sawagashī hibi ni waraenai kimi ni
思い付く限り眩しい明日を
omoitsuku kagiri mabushī asu o
明けない夜に落ちてゆく前に
akenai yoru ni ochite yuku mae ni
僕の手を掴んでほら
boku no te o tsukande hora
忘れてしまいたくて閉じ込めた日々も
wasurete shimaitakute tojikometa hibi mo
抱きしめた温もりで溶かすから
dakishimeta nukumori de tokasu kara
怖くないよいつか日が昇るまで
kowakunai yo itsuka hi ga noboru made
二人でいよう
futari de iyō

• 騒がしい（さわがしい） [sawagashī] : noisy
• 日々（ひび） [hibi] : days
• 笑う（わらう） [warau] : laugh
• 思いつく限り（おもいつくかぎり） [omoitsuku kagiri] : as much as I can think of
• 眩しい（まぶしい） [mabushī] : bright
• 明日（あす） [asu] : tomorrow
• 明ける（あける） [akeru] : dawn
• 落ちる（おちる） [ochiru] : fall
• 前（まえ） [mae] : before
• 手（て） [te] : hand
• つかむ（つかむ） [tsukamu] : grab
• ほら [hora] : look
• 忘れる（わすれる） [wasureru] : forget
• 閉じ込める（とじこめる） [tojikomeru] : lock away
• 抱きしめる（だきしめる） [dakishimeru] : embrace
• 温もり（ぬくもり） [nukumori] : warmth
• 怖い（こわい） [kowai] : afraid
• いつか [itsuka] : someday
• 昇る（のぼる） [noboru] : rise
• いる [iru] : be

(translation) “To you, who can’t smile through the noisy days,
As much as I can think of, I wish for a bright tomorrow.
Before we fall into the endless night,
Grab my hand—look—
The days I wanted to forget and locked away
Will melt with the warmth of your embrace.
I’m not afraid—until the sun rises someday,
Let’s be together.”

From here on, I will omit the explanations of the words.

君にしか見えない
kimi ni shika mienai
何かを見つめる君が嫌いだ
nanika o mitsumeru kimi ga kirai da
見惚れているかのような恋するような
mihoれて iru ka no yō na koi suru yō na
そんな顔が嫌いだ
sonna kao ga kirai da

(translation) “I hate the way You stare at something only you can see.
Like you’re enchanted, like you’re in love—
I hate that expression.”

信じていたいけど信じれないこと
shinjite itai kedo shinjirenai koto
そんなのどうしたってきっと
sonna no dōshitatte kitto
これからだっていくつもあって
korekara datte ikutsu mo atte
そのたんび怒って泣いていくの
sono tanbi okotte naite iku no
それでもきっといつかはきっと僕らはきっと
soredemo kitto itsuka wa kitto bokura wa kitto
分かり合えるさ信じてるよ
wakariaeru sa shinjiteru yo

(translation) “I want to believe, but I can’t believe—
No matter what,
I’m sure that From now on, there will still be many times
We’ll get angry and cry.
Even so, I’m sure, someday, I’m sure, we’re sure to
Understand each other—I believe in that.”

もう嫌だって疲れたんだって
mō iya datte tsukareta n datte
がむしゃらに差し伸べた僕の手を振り払う君
gamushara ni sashino beta boku no te o furiharau kimi
もう嫌だって疲れたよなんて
mō iya datte tsukareta yo nante
本当は僕も言いたいんだ
hontō wa boku mo iitain da

(translation) “You say you’ve had enough, that you’re tired,
And you brush away my outstretched hand, offered desperately.
You say you’ve had enough, that you’re tired—
Truthfully, I want to say it too.”

ほらまたチックタックと
hora mata chikutakku to
鳴る世界で何度だってさ
naru sekai de nando datte sa
君の為に用意した言葉どれも届かない
kimi no tame ni yōishita kotoba dore mo todokanai
「終わりにしたい」だなんてさ
“owari ni shitai” da nante sa
釣られて言葉にした時
tsurarete kotoba ni shita toki
君は初めて笑った
kimi wa hajimete waratta

(translation) “Look, again, tick-tock,
In a world that keeps on turning,
None of the words I prepared for you ever reach you.
When I echoed back, ‘I want to end this,’
It was the first time you smiled.”

騒がしい日々に笑えなくなっていた
sawagashī hibi ni waraenaku natte ita
僕の目に映る君は綺麗だ
boku no me ni utsuru kimi wa kirei da
明けない夜に溢れた涙も
akenai yoru ni afureta namida mo
君の笑顔に溶けていく
kimi no egao ni tokete iku

(translation) “You had stopped smiling through the noisy days,
But in my eyes, you were beautiful.
Even the tears that overflowed in the endless night
Are melting away in your smile.”

変わらない日々に泣いていた僕を
kawaranai hibi ni naite ita boku o
君は優しく終わりへと誘う
kimi wa yasashiku owari e to izanau
沈むように溶けてゆくように
shizumu yō ni tokete yuku yō ni
染み付いた霧が晴れる
shimitsuita kiri ga hareru
忘れてしまいたくて閉じ込めた日々に
wasurete shimaitakute tojikometa hibi ni
差し伸べてくれた君の手を取る
sashinobete kureta kimi no te o toru
涼しい風が空を泳ぐように今吹き抜けていく
suzushī kaze ga sora o oyogu yō ni ima fukinukete iku
繋いだ手を離さないでよ
tsunaida te o hanasanaide yo
二人今、夜に駆け出していく
futari ima, yoru ni kakedashite iku

(translation) “I was crying in the unchanging days,
But you gently led me to the end.
As if sinking, as if melting,
The fog that had clung to me clears away.
The days I locked away, wanting to forget,
You reached out your hand and took mine.
A cool breeze swims through the sky, passing by now.
Don’t let go of the hand you’re holding.
The two of us now run into the night.”

It may seem like a love song, but the original novels (Tanatosu no Yūwaku and Yoru ni Tokeru by Maiya Hoshino) deal with much more sensational themes. The story goes as follows:

The protagonist, a man, receives a goodbye message from a woman who is captivated by the death drive, or “Thanatos.” The novel explores the man’s emotional struggle as he tries to stop her from attempting suicide by jumping off a building.

The music video also features scenes that more directly express the theme of suicide. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the allure of this song, it’s definitely worth watching.

負けないで [Makenaide]
ZARD [Zard]
Words : 坂井泉水 [SAKAI Izumi]
Music : 織田哲郎 [ODA Tetsurō]

Zard is a music group centered around Izumi Sakai. Due to Sakai’s stage fright and the strategic decision of their management agency, they rarely appeared in the media, maintaining an air of mystery while consistently producing hit songs.
The agency “Being”, to which Zard belongs, dominated the J-pop scene in the 1990s, with artists like Wands, Maki Ohguro, and Deen monopolizing the charts. Tetsuro Oda composed many of their songs. The B.B.Queens, who previously introduced the hit song “Odoru Pompokorin,” are also part of Being, and Izumi Sakai’s participation in the chorus auditions for B.B.Queens was her entry into the music world.

In recent days, as part of the Olympics-themed project, I have been introducing songs frequently used on TV in Japan as support songs for sports. “Makenaide” is used in many sports-related events, such as marathons, high school baseball, and Olympics-themed TV commercials. It is also Zard’s biggest hit song.

ふとした瞬間に視線がぶつかる
futo shita shunkan ni shisen ga butsukaru
幸福のときめき覚えているでしょ
shiawase no tokimeki oboete iru desho

• ふと [futo] : suddenly
• 瞬間（しゅんかん） [shunkan] : moment
• 視線（しせん） [shisen] : gaze
• ぶつかる（ぶつかる） [butsukaru] : collide
• 幸せ（しあわせ） [shiawase] : happiness
• ときめき（ときめき） [tokimeki] : thrill
• 覚えている（おぼえている） [oboete iru] : remember

(translation) “In a sudden moment, our gazes meet.
You remember the thrill of happiness, don’t you?”

パステルカラーの季節に恋した
pasuterukarā no kisetsu ni koishita
あの日のように輝いてる
ano hi no yō ni kagayaiteru
あなたでいてね
anata de ite ne

• パステルカラー [pasuterukarā] : pastel color
• 季節（きせつ） [kisetsu] : season
• 恋する（こいする） [koisuru] : fall in love
• あの [ano] : that
• 日（ひ） [hi] : day
• ように [yō ni] : like
• 輝く（かがやく） [kagayaku] : shine
• あなた [anata] : you
• いる [iru] : be

(translation) “I fell in love during the pastel-colored season.
Shine like you did that day.”

負けないでもう少し
makenai de mō sukoshi
最後まで走り抜けて
saigo made hashirinukete

• 負ける（まける） [makeru] : lose
• もう [mō] : more
• 少し（すこし） [sukoshi] : little
• 最後（さいご） [saigo] : end
• 走り抜ける（はしりぬける） [hashirinukeru] : run through

(translation) “Don’t give up, just a little more.
Run through to the end.”

“負けないで / makenaide” (=Don’t lose) is different from “win”; it means “don’t give up, keep challenging.”
Another topic, “頑張れ / ganbare” is a word quite frequently used in conversations but difficult to translate into English. It tends to be translated as “work hard” or “make an effort,” which might be perceived as a reflection of the diligent and work-centric nature of Japanese people from a Western perspective, but that’s not accurate. Both “頑張れ / ganbare” and “負けないで / makenaide” are primarily expressions of encouragement. Telling someone who is already making great efforts to “make an effort” is strange, right? It’s a simple cheer that can be used casually. Therefore, if someone says that this word reflects the strong sense of empathy typical of Japanese people, that might be true.

どんなに離れてても
donna ni hanarete temo
心はそばにいるわ
kokoro wa soba ni iru wa
追いかけて遥かな夢を
oikakete haruka na yume o

• どんなに [donna ni] : no matter how
• 離れている（はなれている） [hanarete iru] : be apart
• 心（こころ） [kokoro] : heart
• そば [soba] : nearby
• 追いかける（おいかける） [oikakeru] : chase
• 遥かな（はるかな） [haruka na] : distant
• 夢（ゆめ） [yume] : dream

(translation) “No matter how far apart we are,
my heart is with you.
Chase your distant dreams.”

We want to convey to the athletes in Paris that, “We are far away, but our hearts are with you.”

何が起きたってヘッチャラな顔して
nani ga okitattte hecchara na kao shite
どうにかなるサとおどけてみせる の
dō ni ka naru sa to odokete miseru no

• 起きる（おきる） [okiru] : happen
• へっちゃら [hecchara] : nonchalant
• 顔（かお） [kao] : face
• どうにかなる [dō ni ka naru] : it’ll be alright
• おどける（おどける） [odokeru] : joke around

(translation) “No matter what happens,
you show a nonchalant face and joke that it will be alright.”

Regarding “hecchara,” please also see “Cha-La Head-Cha-La.”

今宵は私と一緒に踊りましょ
koyoi wa watashi to issho ni odorimasho
今もそんなあなたが好きよ
ima mo sonna anata ga suki yo
忘れないで
wasurenaide

• 今宵（こよい） [koyoi] : tonight
• 私（わたし） [watashi] : I
• 一緒（いっしょ） [issho] : together
• 踊る（おどる） [odoru] : dance
• 今（いま） [ima] : now
• そんな [sonna] : such
• あなた [anata] : you
• 好き（すき） [suki] : love

(translation) “Let’s dance together tonight. I still love you like that. Don’t forget.”

Here’s a little grammar talk. Feel free to skip if you’re not interested.
“あなたでいて / Anata de ite”, “負けないで / Makenaide”, “走り抜けて / Hashirinukete”, “忘れないで / Wasurenaide”, all of these are imperative forms. The verb is in its conjunctive form rather than imperative, but if you consider that “ください / kudasai” is omitted at the end, it makes sense.

負けないでほらそこに
makenai de hora soko ni
ゴールは近づいてる
gōru wa chikadzuite iru
どんなに離れてても
donna ni hanarete temo
心はそばにいるわ
kokoro wa soba ni iru wa
感じてね見つめる瞳
kanjite ne mitsumeru hitomi

• ほら [hora] : “Look!”
• そこに [soko ni] : there
• ゴール [gōru] : goal
• 近づく（ちかづく） [chikadzu] : approach
• 感じる（かんじる） [kanjiru] : feel
• 見つめる（みつめる） [mitsumeru] : gaze
• 瞳（ひとみ） [hitomi] : eyes

(translation) “Don’t give up, look,
it’s there. The goal is getting closer.
No matter how far apart
we are, my heart is with you.
Feel it in my gaze.”

The lyrics are straightforward, the choice of words is natural, and it feels good. Instead of inducing tears, the upbeat melody energizes you, which is probably why this song has been loved for so long.

Izumi Sakai lived a life battling severe illness from 2000 onwards. After repeated hospitalizations, she tragically passed away in 2007 due to a fall at the hospital. Many fans were engulfed in sadness by this news, and 40,100 people attended the public memorial service. There were also memorial concerts and large-scale TV programs commemorating her.

Since this is a support song special, I want to take this song as a cheer from Sakai. Though Izumi Sakai has gone far away, her music remains close to us.

プレイバックPart2 [Pureibakku Pāto Tsū]
山口百恵 [YAMAGUCHI Momoe]
Words : 阿木燿子 [AGI Yōko]
Music : 宇崎竜童 [UZAKI Ryūdō]

Momoe Yamaguchi is an iconic idol and actress of the 1970s. She gained immediate attention in 1972 by appearing on the television audition program “Sutā Tanjō!” (=A Star Is Born!), marking an overwhelming start to her career. She has many hit songs, but completely retired in 1980 upon getting married. While her husband and son are active as actors and musicians, Yamaguchi has not appeared on TV since her retirement, making her a legendary idol.

“Playback Part 2” is Yamaguchi’s 22nd single, released in 1978. The lyricist, Yōko Agi, and the composer, Ryūdō Uzaki, are a married couple who have created many famous songs together.

緑の中を走り抜けてく真紅なポルシェ
midori no naka o hashirinukete ku makka na porushe

• 緑（みどり） [midori] : green
• 中（なか） [naka] : inside
• 走り抜ける（はしりぬける） [hashirinukeru] : run through
• 真っ赤（まっか） [makka] : bright red
• ポルシェ（ぽるしぇ） [porushe] : Porsche

(translation) “A bright red Porsche running through the green plants.”

“緑 / midori” is not only a color name but originally refers to green plants and nature. There are various opinions about the model of this Porsche.

一人旅なの
hitoritabi na no
私気ままにハンドル切るの
watashi kimama ni handoru kiru no

• 一人旅（ひとりたび） [hitoritabi] : solo trip
• 私（わたし） [watashi] : I
• 気ままに（きままに） [kimama ni] : carefree
• ハンドルを切る（はんどるをきる） [handoru o kiru] : steer

(translation) “It’s a solo trip.
I steer the wheel carefree.”

“私 / watashi” is a female first-person pronoun in this context, indicating the protagonist is a woman.

交差点では隣りの車が
kōsaten de wa tonari no kuruma ga
ミラーこすったと
mirā kosutta to
怒鳴っているから
donatte iru kara
私(あたし)もついつい大声になる
atashi mo tsuitsui ōgoe ni naru

• 交差点（こうさてん） [kōsaten] : intersection
• 隣（となり） [tonari] : next to
• 車（くるま） [kuruma] : car
• ミラー（みらー） [mirā] : mirror
• こする（こする） [kosuru] : rub
• 怒鳴る（どなる） [donaru] : shout
• ついつい [tsuitsui] : unintentionally
• 大声（おおごえ） [ōgoe] : loud voice
• なる（なる） [naru] : become

(translation) “At the intersection, the car next to me
shouted that I scratched their mirror,
so I unintentionally raised my voice too.”

Oh, is it an accident? Might it lead to a quarrel?
“あたし / atashi” is a more casual first-person pronoun than “わたし / watashi.” The switch from “わたし / watashi” to “あたし / atashi” may indicate her irritation.

馬鹿にしないでよ そっちのせいよ
baka ni shinai de yo sotchi no sei yo

• 馬鹿にする（ばかにする） [baka ni suru] : make fun of
• そっち [sotchi] : you
• せい [sei] : cause, fault

(translation) “Don’t make fun of me, it’s your fault.”

Wow, that’s bold. It’s a very strong tone but still somewhat polite for a woman. For a rougher expression, it would be “馬鹿にするなよ、お前のせいだ / baka ni suru na yo, omae no sei da.”
This may not be the best lesson, but let’s learn some Japanese insults, as beginners tend to like these terms.

• 馬鹿（ばか） [baka] : fool
• あほ [aho] : idiot

These are the top two Japanese insults. Just saying these words to someone is enough to insult them. Remember them, and try not to use them.

ちょっと待って
chotto matte
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back
今の言葉
ima no kotoba
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back

• ちょっと [chotto] : a little, slightly
• 待つ（まつ） [matsu] : wait
• 今（いま） [ima] : now
• 言葉（ことば） [kotoba] : words

(translation) “Wait a minute
Playback
The words just now
Playback”

Do you need a dashcam? (By the way, the first car dashcam was introduced in 1998.) The words were too important to ignore.
“ちょっと待って / chotto matte” is a phrase you might say at least once a day.

馬鹿にしないでよ そっちのせいよ
baka ni shinai de yo sotchi no sei yo

There was a moment of silence here. It seems she pressed the playback button.

これは昨夜(ゆうべ)の私のセリフ
kore wa yūbe no watashi no serifu
気分次第で抱くだけ抱いて
kibun shidai de daku dake daite
女はいつも待ってるなんて
onna wa itsumo matteru nante

• 昨夜（ゆうべ） [yūbe] : last night
• セリフ [serifu] : line
• 気分（きぶん） [kibun] : mood
• 次第（しだい） [shidai] : depending on
• 抱く（だく） [daku] : embrace
• 女（おんな） [onna] : woman
• いつも [itsumo] : always
• 待つ（まつ） [matsu] : wait

(translation) “This was my line last night.
Embracing only when you feel like it,
Saying women are always waiting.”

“抱く（だく） / daku” here means spending a night together in a romantic sense, a word often used in lyrics.

坊や、いったい何を教わって来たの
bōya ittai nani o osowatte kita no
私だって、私だって、疲れるわ
watashi datte watashi datte tsukareru wa

• 坊や（ぼうや） [bōya] : boy
• いったい [ittai] : what on earth
• 何（なに） [nani] : what
• 教わる（おそわる） [osowaru] : learn
• 疲れる（つかれる） [tsukareru] : tired

(translation) “Boy, what on earth were you taught?
Even I, even I, get tired.”

Her words are very high-handed, but they also show feminine kindness and vulnerability.

はるかな波がキラキラ光る海岸通り
haruka na nami ga kirakira hikaru kaigan dōri
みじかい旅よ
mijikai tabi yo
力一杯アクセル踏むの
chikara ippai akuseru fumu no

• はるかな [haruka na] : faraway
• 波（なみ） [nami] : wave
• キラキラ [kirakira] : glittering
• 光る（ひかる） [hikaru] : shine
• 海岸（かいがん） [kaigan] : coast
• 通り（どおり） [dōri] : street
• 短い（みじかい） [mijikai] : short
• 力一杯（ちからいっぱい） [chikara ippai] : with all my might
• アクセルを踏む（あくせるをふむ） [akuseru o fumu] : step on the gas

(translation) “The faraway waves glitter on the coastal road.
A short trip.
I step on the gas with all my might.”

潮風の中ラジオのボリューム
shiokaze no naka rajio no boryūmu
フルに上げれば
furu ni agereba
心かすめて
kokoro kasumete
ステキな唄が流れてくるわ
suteki na uta ga nagarete kuru wa

• 潮風（しおかぜ） [shiokaze] : sea breeze
• ラジオ（らじお） [rajio] : radio
• ボリューム（ぼりゅーむ） [boryūmu] : volume
• フル [furu] : full
• 上げる（あげる） [ageru] : raise
• かすめる [kasumeru] : brush
• 素敵な（すてきな） [suteki na] : wonderful
• 歌・唄（うた） [uta] : song
• 流れる（ながれる） [nagareru] : flow

(translation) “In the sea breeze, if I turn up the radio volume to full,
it brushes my heart,
and a wonderful song flows.”

What kind of song is playing?

勝手にしやがれ 出ていくんだろ
katte ni shiyagare deteikun daro
ちょっと待って
chotto matte
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back
今の歌を
ima no uta o
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back

• 勝手に（かってに） [katte ni] : as you please
• する（する） [suru] : do
• 出ていく（でていく） [deteiku] : leave

(translation) “Do as you please, you’re leaving, right?
Wait a minute
Playback
The song just now
Playback”

It shouldn’t be possible to playback on the radio (the first car cassette player was introduced in 1968).
Wait a minute. What does “do as you please” mean? Since the story might be confusing, let me offer one answer here.
The “wonderful song” that played on the car radio is implied to be “Katteni Shiyagare” by Kenji Sawada, which I posted an article about yesterday. It’s a response song. The rest of this song connects with the world of “Katteni Shiyagare.” If you’d like, you might enjoy reading that article first.

勝手にしやがれ 出ていくんだろ
katte ni shiyagare deteikun daro
これは昨夜(ゆうべ)のあなたのセリフ
kore wa yūbe no anata no serifu
強がりばかり言ってたけれど
tsuyogari bakari itteta keredo
本当はとても淋しがり屋よ
hontō wa totemo sabishigariya yo

• あなた [anata] : you
• 強がり [tsuyogari] : bluff
• 言う [iu] : say
• 本当 [hontō] : truth
• とても [totemo] : very
• 寂しがり屋 [sabishigariya] : lonely person

(translation) “Do as you please, you’re leaving, right?
That was your line last night.
You kept bluffing,
but you’re really very lonely.”

Knowing the lyrics to “Katteni Shiyagare” clarifies that the lonely person here is the man from that song, not the female protagonist of this story.

坊や、いったい何を教わって来たの
bōya ittai nani o osowatte kita no
私やっぱり、私やっぱり、帰るわね
watashi yappari watashi yappari kaeru wa ne
あなたのもとへ
anata no moto e
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back
あなたのもとへ Play Back
anata no moto e Playback
Play Back Play Back
Play Back Play Back

• やっぱり　[yappari] : after all
• 帰る（かえる） [kaeru ] : return
• もと [moto] : origin

(translation) “Boy, what on earth were you taught?
I knew it, I knew it, I’m going back,
back to you,
Playback
back to you, Playback”

Rather than interpreting that the singer of the car radio is her partner, it’s better to enjoy the slightly mysterious connection of the story.

Consider the personality and tone of the man in “Katteni Shiyagare” and the woman in “Playback Part 2.” Notice these differences.

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