Just a quick note, I've updated the previous translation post on Laugh away to reflect the fact that the song now has two PVs, hooray! \(^ o ^)/
Before I get into this post though, I should really note that this post features an extremely contextualised translation - so if you are hoping for a more literal interpretation, click here to jump to the user comments segment. I initially tried to strike a more balanced translation but found it exceedingly difficult to convey the beauty of the lyrics under that approach... So I took the lazy way out, LOL (^__^")
Nonetheless, I still don't feel that I have done any justice to the piece, though I can promise you I tried very hard to do so. Indeed, the song's lyrics were so powerful in Japanese that it led Sky Crawlers (スカイ・クロラ) director, Mamoru Oshii (押井守), to redo the ending credits so that he could better fit it to the song. This is a significant gesture because Oshii is known for his adamant refusal to use any musical work that was not tailor-made for his movies... but after listening to this, he seems to have decided otherwise. (^___^")
Anyhow, the summer is certainly making its presence felt these days as the heat has been torturous in Hong Kong. As I wake up each morning to face that pale and diluted blue sky, I scorn - the thought of how hot it is outside sends chills through my spine... and with the Olympics a mere few weeks away, I can't imagine what it'd be like for the horses and their jockeys as the city hosts the equestrian events.
At a time when I am trying to find any possible shade I could, it's difficult to understand why the Chinese government would ever want to ensure cloudless skies by sniping the poor balls of fluff out of the air with their darned anti-aircraft guns...
As if stepping up their control of 1.3 billion people was not enough to ensure a "peaceful and harmonious" Olympics, Beijing has gone the extra mile to reign in control of the weather as well. (-___-") If you are interested in how the whole thing works, hop on to this USA Today article.
Still, the two months leading up to the Games have been somewhat hectic as the government finds itself clearing up pollution, algae and political commentators in anticipation of welcoming the world through its doors. Anyway, I've gone on enough about this; I just wanted to share my awe at the Chinese army's ability to shoot clouds out of the air... LOL (^___^")
So, getting back on track as we long for the future that will bring us the Olympics, let us move on to this jewel of a song (^___^)
Song information:
Track 15 from ayaka's album, Sing to the Sky (Released 2008/06/25).
PV availability:
This PV marks the first ayaka video that features no sign of her whatsoever... (@__@) In her stead, viewers will be treated to scenes from The Sky Crawlers; which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on which you are a bigger fan of - clearly, I fall in the "not all too impressed" camp, LOL (^___^")
Theme song:
This song is the theme to the movie, スカイ・クロラ (also known as The Sky Crawlers).
Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions at this moment.
Comments:
Listening to the first few lines of the song, ayaka's serenade certainly makes the ballad seem like nothing more than an ode to love, but it is not until the bridge of the song that the context of her words are truly revealed - the piece is not so much a song of love as it is a eulogy for someone she loves. In the booklet that came with the CD, her notes on this song go:
"In spending time with the people we love, a warm feeling is evoked from the touch of their skin. Though these occasions don’t seem particularly special, they are in fact irreplaceable moments. Sadly, we often get too used to a person and it is only when we lose them that we begin to realise this. In this way, the happiness that frames the moment of “now” is a happiness that we ourselves should strive to be grateful for with its every occurrence."
Of course, her notes were written in Japanese in the booklet, but I took the liberty of translating it in order to provide more context for understanding the song. The nice thing about the album is simply that ayaka takes time out to write notes on all the songs in the album and also explains why the album is titled, Sing to the Sky, LOL. I'll be translating these notes as I go through the songs in this album, so stay tuned as I work my way through it. (^___^")
Returning to the focus of this segment, despite noting that this song is more of a eulogy, it is really not about the loss but about the appreciation of the love left behind; not about sorrow and regret but about joy and gratitude; not a lamentation but a celebration. The song's message is not in the literal reading of its words but in understanding the concepts that it is implying through the lyrics, vocal expression as well as melody.
今夜も星に抱かれて・・・ is such an evocative piece that one requires no PV nor understanding of the lyrics to "see" what ayaka is singing of. Close your eyes as you listen and allow the simple yet beautiful melody to take you into a world where the night sky is filled with stars. Close your eyes and let ayaka's vocals guide you through a love that is at its warmest, most honest and most intense expression. Close your eyes and you will see what this piece is truly about.
After that, you probably won't even need to read the lyrics, but just in case you do want to reaffirm what you felt, feel free to scroll down to the next segment (you'll probably have to keep your eyes open though... (^___^")). Remember, this translation is highly contextualised - if you are looking for a more literal interpretation, click here to jump down to the user comments segment... (^___^)
Lyrics:
As always, Japanese lyrics are retrieved from www.uta-net.com.
--------------------------------------
日本語:
今夜も星に抱かれて・・・
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
この世で一番心地よい場所 それはあなたの胸の中
胸に耳あて鼓動感じるの
What l need now is you
あなたのリズムで眠りそうになる
You made me what l am
このささやかな幸せが続くように…
あなたの愛をこの身に感じ あたしも伝えるの
あなたの胸に抱かれ あなたの匂いに包まれて
What l need now is you
これ以上の幸せなどないの
You made me what l am
あたしに不安などないの あなたがそばにいるから…
５年たった今でも ゆらゆらと陽炎のように
星になった君に触れることは できないけれど
今夜も夢を見よう…
What l need now is you
Everyday Everynight l miss you
You made me what l am
Everyday Everynight Everything is you
そばにいるから
-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
konya mo hoshi ni dakarete...
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
kono yo de ichiban kokochiyoi basho sore wa anata no mune no naka
mune ni mimiate kodou kanjiru no
What I need now is you
anata no rizumu de nemurisou ni naru
You made me what I am
kono sasayaka na shiawase ga tsudzuku you ni...
anata no ai wo kono mi ni kanji atashi mo tsutaeru no
anata no mune ni dakare anata no nioi ni tsutsumarete
What I need now is you
kore ijou no shiawase nado nai no
You made me what I am
atashi ni fuan nado nai no anata ga soba ni iru kara...
gonen tatta ima de mo yurayura to kagerou no you ni
hoshi ni natta kimi ni fureru koto wa dekinai keredo
konya mo yume wo miyou...
What I need now is you
Everyday Everynight I miss you
You made me what I am
Everyday Everynight Everything is you
soba ni iru kara
-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Even Tonight, I am Nestled in the Stars...*
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
At your bosom, as I listen to the gentle throbbing of your heart
Through my earmuffs, I find my only solace in this world.
You are all that I need now
And in your comforting rhythm, I can find the safety of sleep.
It was you who made me what I am
And that is why a simple happiness flourishes in me still.
Held closely in your arms and enveloped tenderly in your perfume,
I feel your love within me as I reciprocate my feelings for you.
I need nothing more but you now,
As I know that there is no greater joy than this.
You were the one who made me what I am
And that is why nothing can trouble me, so long as you are with me.
...Five years from this day, my love for you will continue to burn...
And although I can’t snuggle up to that star you have become,
Even tonight, I could still dream...
All I need is you,
Everyday and every night... I miss you so.
I am who I am because of you,
My everyday, my every night, my everything... is you.
Because I know, unfailingly, that you are always by my side.
Notes:
*Note 1: This is the contextual version of the translation, if you are looking for the literal version - click here.
Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase Sing to the Sky online (via YesAsia Global)
Well, I am aiming to break this post out in short order since I will be off the worldwide web for a few days and don't want to leave without getting something in this week! LOL
Luckily, this song is generally quite straightforward despite some moments when I was left a little puzzled over the English phrasal verbs she chose to use in her lyrics. (^___^") Regardless, I have to say that I am a little late to the game on this one since this song was written as a spring song, as the lyrics themselves make clear.
But I have to say that it was really difficult to escape a very profound sense of happiness as I translated this song - certainly, the joyfulness that is found in the music and lyrics are so enchanting that I can't help but want to share it, LOL.
It is also because of this song's expression of delight that I am dedicating this post to Deedee, though the lyrical content may be slightly inappropriate. I know you will take things in your own stride and to that end, I just wanted to tell you to stay strong amidst the storm. Indeed, may the stars embrace you tonight as well as you find comfort in dreams... (^___^") LOL
Song information:
Track 1 from YUI's album, I LOVED YESTERDAY (Released 2008/04/09).
PV availability:
Yes, there is a PV available for the song and there is quite a lot of YUI with pretty screenshots scattered all over the place. Notice the protagonist, gestures, as well as items utilised in this PV since it is actually related to the SUMMER SONG PV which was released later. The PV sticks very closely to the message that YUI tries to convey through her lyrics, which makes it, in many ways, a visualisation of the song itself. (^___^")
UPDATE: There is now a second PV for this song, well, it is tied to the acoustic version of this song so it does count. The PV follows the same timeline as the Laugh away PV but follows the female protagonist's side of the story instead. It also gives good meaning as to what the phrase, "I LOVED YESTERDAY" tries to convey. Not a lot of YUI, but definitely worth checking out just to see the "flip side" of the earlier Laugh away PV. (^___^)
Theme song:
Not counting commercials, this song has no tie ups with any programme.
Alternative versions:
1. Laugh away -YUI Acoustic Version- (Released with the single SUMMER SONG on 2008/07/02)
I have to admit that this one caught me by surprise as I expected a "YUI Acoustic Version" of Namidairo instead. So much for my fortune-telling, huh? LOL. Consistent with all other such versions of her music, this track features a pure acoustic rendition of Laugh away; however, as I've always felt that the original song was fairly acoustically inclined anyway, which is why, for me, this version failed to capture that sense of brilliance that some of the other acoustic versions achieved.
Comments:
Perhaps it is because her lyrics are generally so descriptive of the concrete that she becomes a little difficult to comprehend sometimes when she speaks of the abstract. Overall though, the lyrics for this song are best described as "super cute" with depictions of puppy love written all over it. It has to be said that the song actually does really well to spread its brand of cheerfulness with bits of it that really make one smile as they sing along.
Overall, YUI's vocals and instrumental liveliness work very well to extend that warm fuzzy feeling to her listeners. Indeed, YUI seems to have been moving in this direction with her music recently and we are only just beginning to see her take shape as a lighter and happier individual in the music scene. Hopefully, she will be able to continue evolving her music further as there is no denying her talent as a songwriter. (^___^")
With that then, let us move on to the best part of YUI's smile campaign, LOL.
Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics were retrieved from www.uta-net.com, the all-powerful, LOL (^___^)
--------------------------------------
日本語:
Laugh away
--------------------------------------
歌手: YUI
作詞: YUI
作曲: YUI
--------------------------------------
見上げたら ヒコーキ雲 明日へと消えた
僕は それでもずっと 自転車を漕ぎ続けた
上り坂 駆けあがる あの空の向こう
いつか 追い越せるような そんな気がしているから
逸れそうな Get away Get away
情熱を Get away Get away
逃がさないように 手を伸ばして…
ちっぽけな事に悩んじゃって
とにかく君に会いたくなった yeah
生まれたての春の匂いに
咲き誇るサクラのはなびら
いつだって負けないように ねぇ
そう 笑って そっと 笑って Laugh away
そう 笑って いつも 笑って
丘の上 息を切らし 街を見下ろした
たぶん 君の家の 屋根くらいは見えるはず
窓のそと 海がすぐだよなんて 話してた
だから あの場所あたり? 同じ“今”感じている
溢れそうな Get away Get away
情熱を Get away Get away
こぼさないように 手を伸ばして…
ちっぽけな事に悩んじゃって
とにかく君に会いたくなった yeah
目の前に広がる景色を
忘れてはいけない気がした
いつだって 負けないように
Never mind. Never mind. 落ち込んだら
yeah yeah ここに来て 風に吹かれたい
ちいさな笑顔がみたいから
僕だって強くなれるのさ yeah
生まれたての春の匂いに
咲き誇るサクラのはなびら
いつだって 負けないように ねぇ
そう 笑って いつも 笑って
-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Laugh away
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: YUI
sakushi: YUI
sakkyoku: YUI
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
miagetara hikooki gumo ashita e to kieta
boku wa sore demo zutto jitensha wo kogi tsudzuketa
nobori zaka kake agaru ano sora no mukou
itsuka oi koseru you na sonna ki ga shite iru kara
haguresou na Get away Get away
jounetsu wo Get away Get away
nogasanai you ni te wo nobashite...
chippoke na koto ni nayanjatte
tonikaku kimi ni aitakunatta yeah
umaretate no haru no nioi ni
saki hokoru sakura no hanabira
itsudatte makenai you ni nee
sou waratte sotto waratte Laugh away
sou waratte itsumo waratte
oka no ue iki wo kirashi machi wo mishitaro shita
tabun kimi no uchi no yane kurai wa mieru hazu
mado no soto umi ga sugu da yo nante hanashiteta
dakara ano basho atari? onaji “ima” kanjite iru
afuresou na Get away Get away
jounetsu wo Get away Get away
kobosanai you ni te wo nobashite...
chippoke na koto ni nayanjatte
tonikaku kimi ni aitakunatta yeah
me no mae ni hirogaru heshiki wo
wasurete wa ikenai ki ga shita
itsudatte makenai you ni
Never mind. Never mind. ochi kondara
yeah yeah koko ni kite kaze ni fukaretai
chiisana egao ga mitai kara
boku datte tsuyoku nareru no sa yeah
umaretate no haru no nioi ni
saki hokoru sakura no hanabira
itsudatte makenai you ni nee
----------------------------------------
English:
Laugh away
----------------------------------------
Performed by: YUI
Lyricist: YUI
Composer: YUI
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Looking up, I see a vapour
trail vanishing off into tomorrow,
As I carried on riding this
bicycle of mine.
Feeling as though I would someday
be able to overtake it,
I face the sky as I race
up the mound.
All these feelings of euphoria
are getting away –
Scattering aimlessly as it gets
away,
So stretch out your hands to hang
on to it all...
I accept that just can’t help
but get bogged down by tiny matters,
It’s just that... I really
want to see you.
Surrounded by an aroma that is
the freshness of spring
Emitted from the petals of cherry
blossoms that are brimming with life,*
There is no real reason for me
to ever say that I’m feeling down.**
So laugh, laugh affectionately, and keep
laughing away;
Laugh away, and laugh
always.
Breathless as I stand atop the
mound, I looked upon the town below,
And am quite certain that I
could make out the roof of your house from here.
You had said that just beyond
your window lies the vast ocean,
So it should be around there,
right? As I look on, I feel our connection in the currency of this very moment.***
All these rhapsodic emotions are
getting away –
Filled to the brim and getting
away,
So put your hands out and
don’t let them spill over...
I confess that I can’t help being
bugged by little matters like these,
But I just really, really want
to see you.
I know that I won’t be able to
forget
The panoramic expanse that
lies before my eyes...
Taking in this view, I can’t
ever say that I’m unhappy.
Never mind all the little
things that may trouble you, if you are ever down,
Come on over and call out for
the wind to blow it all away.****
I confess that it is from the desire
to see a teeny-weeny smile on your face,
That I, too, garner the
strength to carry on.
Surrounded by the fragrance that
is the vigour of springtime
Composed of the petals from cherry
blossoms that are bursting with life,
I find it impossible to ever
feel dispirited.
So, laugh away, and laugh
always.
Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “Fully-bloomed cherry blossom petals.”
**Note 2: Literally, “Always, it like I can’t lose.”
***Note 3: Literally, “Therefore, shouldn’t it be around that area? I am feeling a same sense of ‘now’.”
****Note 4: Literally, “Yeah, come here and want for the wind to blow.”
Links:
YUI official website (maintained by Sony Music)
Purchase I LOVED YESTERDAY online (via YesAsia Global)
I've been thinking... maybe I should change the title of these posts from "Lyrics Translation" to "Lyrics Localisation" as it has this whole alliteration thing going for it and also seems to be a more accurate description of what I am aiming to achieve with these posts. Hmm...
All this thought was sparked off by a comment I received, one which I am really grateful for since it shows that there are still individuals that are keeping me in check and it also gave me an opportunity to share the process of how I translate these songs, which may sound quite tedious and complicated, though I have to emphasise that it really isn't and doesn't take nearly as much time as my reply may imply, LOL. (^___^")
Nonetheless, I've been a little torn lately since I know that I should really be translating some YUI now. She has already released an album and will be releasing a single tomorrow! But ayaka just released her album last week as well and there are so many awesome tracks on it! ARRGGGHHHH~~~
On top of that, there is this backlog of artists that I really want to introduce to the blog, namely, the funky techno-pop trio, Perfume; the girl with one very massive voice, Miho Fukuhara (福原美穂); and the Tibetan singer that I'm sure could sing to trees and have them sing back, alan... (^___^") So many artists, so little time...
But it's decision time and I have to pick my next song, which is why I know I should be finding something that I could laugh away about after going through a song as heartbreaking as this one... right?
Song information:
First appearance:
Track 9 from Hikki's album, HEART STATION (Released 2008/03/19). Note that the CD jacket I used for the above sample is from the single, Prisoner Of Love, which was released after the album. I did it to mix things up a bit... (^__^")
PV availability:
A PV was made available for the song when the single was released. The PV itself doesn't have much of a relationship to the song besides maybe the fact that it shows her in the process of writing Prisoner Of Love... and perhaps the fact that she seemed to be a prisoner of her studio throughout the video. (^___^") Personally, I absolutely loved the parts where she was struggling to finish the song and did tons of random things as a result, including air boxing and falling asleep on the couch. Those snippets reminded me very much of me, except she's an unquantifiable amount of times more awesome than me, LOL.
Theme song:
This song serves as the theme song to the uber-well-received drama, ラスト・フレンズ ("Last Friends").
Alternative versions:
1. Prisoner Of Love -Quiet Version- (Released with the single Prisoner Of Love on 2008/05/21)
If it were up to me, I'd be calling this the "-Deep Depression Version-" as Hikki brings the pain with the help of what seems to be only two instruments - a piano and a violin. Add along with that a slight echo to her vocals as well as a full song in that it doesn't fade off before she sings her final words, and you have yourself a heart-crushing mix of pure emotion that manages to belittle my other depression song of choice, Be My Last, LOL.
Comments:
How do I even begin talking about this song? It's not as if anyone needed to read the lyrics to understand how absolutely heart-wrenching and intensely desperate this song actually is and yet, from the entire song, the only part that depicts how extremely angry she is with him is the very first stanza. From there, the song carries itself along the bittersweet moments that form the highlights of their now broken relationship... As the title succinctly articulates, she's now nothing more than a prisoner of love - sentenced, it would seem, to life.
Musically, this piece is absolutely amazing as the violins clearly depict the sense of disbelief and then sorrow as they deliver their weeping song throughout. The bass drums also form another important part of the song's mood, sharpening the pain as it emphasises the heavy beating of a devastated heart; note how it pauses on the stanza where she recalls her final push to save the relationship - where she believed there was still hope.
As if that wasn't enough to break a million hearts, Hikki perfects this objet d'art with her heart-piercing vocals. Indeed, the song's vocal finale carries its message so powerfully that, even without understanding a single bit of the lyrics that preceded it, the message is instantly comprehensible (I know, because one of my friends heard the tail end of the song and asked if the poor girl was going through heartbreak... LOL).
With that then, let us plunge into the emotional depths within Prisoner Of Love.
Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics are from uta-net.com, with modifications to the end of the song to give me more leeway to write, LOL.
--------------------------------------
日本語:
Prisoner Of Love
--------------------------------------
歌手: 宇多田ヒカル
作詞: Utada Hikaru
作曲: Utada Hikaru
--------------------------------------
平気な顔で嘘をついて
笑って 嫌気がさして
楽ばかりしようとしていた
ないものねだりブルース
皆安らぎを求めている
満ち足りてるのに奪い合う
愛の影を追っている
退屈な毎日が急に輝きだした
あなたが現れたあの日から
孤独でも辛くても平気だと思えた
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
病める時も健やかなる時も
嵐の日も晴れの日も共に歩もう
I'm gonna tell you the truth
人知れず辛い道を選ぶ
私を応援してくれる
あなただけを友と呼ぶ
強がりや欲張りが無意味になりました
あなたに愛されたあの日から
自由でもヨユウでも一人じゃ虚しいわ
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
Oh もう少しだよ
Don't you give up
Oh 見捨てない 絶対に
残酷な現実が二人を引き裂けば
より一層強く惹かれ合う
いくらでもいくらでも頑張れる気がした
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
ありふれた日常が急に輝きだした
心を奪われたあの日から
孤独でも辛くても平気だと思えた
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, stay with me
一人にさせない
Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, stay with me
一人にさせない
------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Prisoner Of Love
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: utada hikaru
sakushi: Utada Hikaru
sakkyoku: Utada Hikaru
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
heiki na kao de uso wo tsuite
waratte iyaki ga sashite
raku bakari shiyou to shite
ita
nai mono nedari buruusu
minna yasuragi wo motomete iru
michi tariteru no ni ubai au
ai no kage wo otte iru
taikutsu na mainichi ga kyuu
ni kagayaki dashita
anata ga arawareta ano hi kara
kodoku de mo tsurakute mo
heiki da to omoeta
I’m just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
yameru toki mo sukoyaka naru
toki mo
arashi no hi mo hare no hi mo
tomo ni ayumou
I’m gonna tell you the truth
hito shirezu tsurai michi wo
erabu
watashi wo ouen shite kureru
anata dake wo tomo to yobu
tsuyogari ya yokubari ga muimi
ni narimashita
anata ni ai sareta ano hi kara
jiyuu de mo yoyuu de mo hitori
ja munashii wa
I’m just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
Oh mou sukoshi da yo
Don’t you give up
Oh misutenai
zettai ni
zankoku na kenjitsu ga futari
wo hiki sakeba
yori issou tsuyoku hikare au
ikura de mo ikura de mo
ganbareru ki ga shita
I’m just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
arifureta hi nichijou ga kyuu
ni kagayaki dashita
kokoro wo ubawareta ano hi
kara
kodoku de mo tsurakute mo
heiki da to omoeta
I’m just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, stay with me
hitori ni sasenai
Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, stay with me
hitori ni sasenai
-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Prisoner Of Love
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: Utada Hikaru
Lyricist: Utada Hikaru
Composer: Utada Hikaru
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
With all the calm on your
face, you spill forth your lies...
I can see you’ve grown sick of
all the laughter...
It was all simply fun and
games to you.
I’ve been gripped by the depression
that comes from asking for the impossible,
A request stirred from that
basic human drive for security.*
Even in a life so fulfilling,
we continue to struggle,
As we keep chasing after the
shadow of love.
My colourless everyday routines
were suddenly punctuated with brilliance
From the day that you came
into my life.**
Whether it’s in loneliness or in
adversity, I never doubted that I would be alright.***
It seems that I’m just a
prisoner of love,
Just a prisoner of love.
...In sickness and in health,
Through storm and through fair
weather, I pledge always to walk on your side...
I’m gonna tell you the truth
now,
Though no one knew, I felt
that I had committed myself to a rugged road
And at the time, you were there
for me...
Making you the only person
that I can honestly call my friend.
All my pretences of strength
and all my greed crumbled to nothing
From the day you said you
loved me.
Whether it’s for freedom or for
free time, a life alone seems a life wasted.****
Perhaps you could say I’m just
a prisoner of love,
Just a prisoner of love.
“We’re almost there.”
“Don’t you give up.”
“There’s no way you could fail
– of that, I’m sure.”
If cruel reality is tearing us
apart,
Then let us redouble our
efforts to stay as one.
In every possible way, with
all possible means, I gave my everything to this.*****
Now, I simply appear a
prisoner of love,
A mere prisoner of love.
My mundane days were sparked
to life in that instant,
That day when you took my
heart captive.******
Whether it’s in loneliness or in
adversity, I always thought things would work out;
But I’ve become a prisoner of love,
Nothing more than a prisoner to
love.
Stay with me, stay with me...
Baby, say you love me...
Stay with me, stay with me...
Baby, don’t you leave me...
Stay with me...
Tell me you love me!
Stay with me...
Please... don’t walk away from
me...
Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “We are all looking for a sense of security.”
**Note
2: Literally, “From the day you appeared.”
***Note 3: Literally, “Even in loneliness, even in adversity, I thought that it would be fine.”
****Note 4: Literally, “Even if I were to be free or if I were to have time to myself, it’s all meaningless if I am alone.” This struck me as a little odd when I thought about why she decided to take these two themes – “freedom” and “time for oneself”. Well, it soon struck me that these two items are, in fact, the most common arguments for staying single… Hikki seems to be going through extreme prisoner of love syndrome! Somebody help her!!! (^__^”)
*****Note 5: Literally, “In as many ways as possible, in as many ways as possible, I felt that I would keep at it.”
******Note 6: Literally, “From that day when you stole my heart.”
Links:
Utada Hikaru Official Website (maintained by EMI Music Japan)
Purchase HEART STATION online (via YesAsia Global)
Purchase Prisoner Of Love online (via YesAsia Global)
If you read any of my recent translation posts, you may have noticed that I've been putting up banners at the end of them. Hopefully, the message was clear from just glimpsing at them, LOL. (^___^") In general, there are two different sets of banners although both carry the same notion: music should be properly bought.
I was prompted to embark on this endeavour because of the increasingly errant arguments I've recently found myself getting into. Some of my friends don't quite understand why I would waste my money on original copies of games, movies, music and whatever it is that I wish to so have since all these things can readily be attained "for free". Indeed, it got even more confusing for them when they realised that I do download things... and that the things I download are the same things I buy... (^___^") So I guess I can't really blame them for finding my position a little odd, can I?
Nonetheless, arguments can seem somewhat unavoidable as my group and I do sit around talking about theoretical issues every now and then, so it's no surprise that we would launch into discourses on the false premises behind the concept of "copyright", the omni-capital might of corporations, and the propagation of the neoliberal agenda, amongst other things (yes, I really am as boring as I sound). But try as I might, I find it very hard to support their position on this issue.
Don't get me wrong though, I have no love for the entertainment industry's incessant chiming that "downloading is theft", nor do I have any respect for their heavy-handed tactics of taking individuals to court in what amounts to outright corporate bullying. No, it is not because I buy their arguments that I buy originals.
Rather, my commitment to purchasing these items is borne from the reasoning that I ultimately live in a meritocratic society, whether I like it or not. It must be stressed then that in a meritocratic society, people are asked to "vote with their wallets" - and when this becomes the primary means of communicating the public will, the purchase of music inevitably buys an artist credibility and legitimacy; however, it also means the converse is ever truer: not purchasing anything from an artist will effectively amount to a vote of no confidence.
Thus, it is for this reason that I have no qualms about forking out the money to buy my music, among other things. It is not in support of the capitalist machinery, but in support of the artist. Not for EMI, but for Hikki; not for avex, but for Ai-chin; not for Warner, but for ayaka; and certainly, not for Sony, but for YUI.
As mentioned, I'm not trying to say that downloading is a bad thing - in fact, I doubt J-pop could have grown so large without such facilitation but in the end of the day, there aren't many avenues with which I could show my appreciation for the impact their work has on my life; so, fortunately for me, one of these methods is hopping into a store and picking up that disc.
With that then, allow me to move on to address each of the two sets of banners and give a very brief description of what I was trying to convey with the words I used, LOL. (^___^")
The LOVE SUPPORT stream
You may have already figured this out, but "love support" is a play on the compound noun, "life support". The idea is simply to encourage people to support the things they love and, at a time when people seem to be buying less music, it serves as a reminder for us not to inadvertently pull the plug on our music.
The banners that have so far been created under this stream are,