Lyrics Translation: Kiss&Cry ~ Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル)
Carrying out step two of my move over from maintaining two accounts (Windows Live Spaces and Vox) to only accommodating the Vox account, I am abandoning the Tahoma font for the default Arial font that Vox offers. Also, I've updated Ai-chin's HEART translation post to reflect the fact that the song now has a PV to call its very own. You can find out more about the PV here.
Back on topic, it's a pity that the only live performance of Kiss&Cry turned out to be a little disappointing and as Sam pointed out, even Hikki personally acknowledged that it was as a terribly disheartening showing in her blog. Nonetheless, the song is difficult to properly execute and the performance was really not all that bad in itself. Believe it or not though, live performances and radio airplay time of this track were restricted due to the mention of "Nissin Cup Noodles" in the lyrics... go figure, LOL
As for the song, I have to admit that I was a little confused when I first heard it... was Hikki going big band!? Though this track certainly seemed influenced by that genre, it still carries a uniquely modern groove that has Hikki written all over it. Kiss&Cry is, in that way, refreshing and reassuring as it shows that Hikki is still pushing forward in positive directions with her music.
I say this only because I've been disappointed before by some other Japanese singer-songwriters and that's why I am very sensitive to things that begin to sound alike, LOL. I understand that getting too creative with a musical wand doesn't always mean that they will make good music nor does it mean that they will continue to appeal to their fanbase, but if their songs keep sounding the same then it feels as if they've stunted their own development and their talent as songwriters are never fully realised.
Indeed, there is the danger that their new direction really only adds up to mainstream conformity but the way Hikki is going, I am not worried that she is going to conform any time soon, LOL. With that, let us move on to the very funky music and lyrics of Kiss&Cry.
Song information:
Listen to a sample of Kiss&Cry (~1:20 mins)
First appearance:
Track 2 from Hikki's single, Beautiful World/Kiss&Cry (Released 2007/08/29)
PV availability:
A PV was released for the track, but like the Beautiful World PV, there is no Hikki in sight. Instead, you will be treated to anime characters from the Freedom Cup Noodles series lip-synching to the song. Yay for fans of Freedom, I guess (Now I have an honest answer to that odd American war justification question of "Do you hate freedom?"... Frankly, yes - they took my "Hikki time" away from me, bastards - down with freedom!!! LOL)... (>___<)
Theme song:
This song is the theme to the Freedom Cup Noodles commercials. The "Freedom Project" is a very interesting concept that was headed up by Nissin as a promotional campaign. It is an official anime with a story and everything, but it's primary focus is a promotional tool. Kiss&Cry will take the place of the project's previous theme song, which was Hikki's very own This is Love (another song that I adore).
Alternative versions:
There are currently no known alternative versions of the piece at this time.
Comments:
So, what is Kiss&Cry really about and why in the world was it originally titled Dancing Leah? (it looks like Hikki also got caught up in the strange Leah Dizon craze that's been going around Asia!) Well, for the record - it has nothing to do with Leah but everything to do with the concept of freedom. Kiss&Cry is merged into one word because they are two takes of the same thing - freedom. Kissing is the freedom to express affection and crying, the freedom to express anguish.
On a superficial level, this song is simply one person encouraging another person to take a chance. Beyond this understanding however is the fact that Hikki is asking this individual to free himself/herself to love (the additional lyrics at the end of the song reinforce this urging). The song is very much based on the world created in Freedom - a world on the moon where peace exists relative to strict social controls placed on its citizens.
In this lunar society called Eden, true freedom is only available for a certain period between graduating from studying to become a productive citizen and actually being a productive citizen (both of which are false freedoms). But it is during this period of "true freedom", that we understand how effective the system of social control is because its citizens continue to stream themselves into prescribed events and acts despite their brief period of "true freedom". In the story, the main character, Takeru, deviates through an act of creativity and in doing so, glimpses the secret of freedom within Eden.
Who would have thought a promotional anime campaign with characters that adamantly consume Nissin's Cup Noodles could have such an intriguing storyline? But there you have it, that's the basic plot to Freedom. In this way, one can understand the song as an encouragement to simply deviate - to reject defined experiences and throw oneself to the mercy of raw, turbulent and passionate emotions instead.
Of course, there is also the Cup Noodles verse in the song which seems to serve as an intermission or a highlight of the motions of life today. In some ways, the heavy use of katakana in the verse also implies the adoption of Western lifestyles in Japan. The stanza can also be seen as a critique of Cup Noodles which is the symbol for a quick meal that can be eaten alone and thus also a symbol for Western capitalism and its predominance in the Japanese mind (concepts of individualism, "time is money" mentalities, profit-making, and so on).
Nonetheless, that verse does serve as a reminder of the anime's purpose which is the promotion of Cup Noodles. More relevantly however is the message that Cup Noodles can accommodate almost any lifestyle - if you need a cheap, quick, easy and light meal then look to Cup Noodles, LOL (it carried me through my undergraduate years! But I don't recommend too much of it just because noodles in styrofoam cups don't scream "HEALTH FOOD!!!", LOL).
Overall, the song is very well done with a major funk factor that really gets the listener into the song. Although Hikki's only live performance of it didn't go too well (I will never forget how much disappointment was written into her face as the song came to a close - it was terribly heart-aching for me...), the recorded track is actually very good.
Anyhow, this comments segment is getting way too long. Enough rambling and on to the good stuff!
Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com with some modifications to facilitate karaoke-ing, LOL.
--------------------------------------
日本語:
Kiss&Cry
--------------------------------------
歌手: 宇多田ヒカル
作詞: Utada Hikaru
作曲: Utada Hikaru
--------------------------------------
不良も優等生も先生も
恋に落ちれば同じよね
鼓膜にあたるバスドラと
心地よく突くハイハット
とろけるようなＢセクション
あなたの笑顔がぼくの心に
クリティカルヒット
いつの間にやらハイテンション
もっと近づいて(kiss and cry)
我慢しないで(you are my)
少しケガをしたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
被害者意識って 好きじゃない
上目遣いで誘って 共犯がいい
お父さんのリストラと
お兄ちゃんのインターネット
お母さんはダイエット
みんなは夜空のパイロット
孤独を癒すムーンライト
今日は日清CUP NOODLE
もっと近づいて(kiss and cry)
我慢しないで(you are my)
少しケガをしたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
ドントウォーリーベイベー(kiss and cry)
考えすぎたり(you are my)
守ってばかりいたって(natural high)
さみしいじゃない
Kiss and cry
I just want to be happy
少し、もう少し
I just want you to hold me
わたしの弱虫
来年の誕生日までに
このままじゃ何も変わらない
I just want you to hold me
恥をかいたってかまわない
ちょっと傷ついて(kiss and cry)
あきらめないで(you are my)
笑い飛ばしてがんばれ(natural high)
あとはしょうがない
Kiss and cry
もっと勇気出して(kiss and cry)
もっと本気見せて(you are my)
うまくいかなくたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Kiss&Cry
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: utada hikaru
sakushi: Utada Hikaru
sakkyoku: Utada Hikaru
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
furyou mo yuutousei mo sensei mo
koi ni ochireba onaji yo ne
komaku ni ataru basudora to
kokochi yoku tsuku haihatto
torukeru youna B sekushon
anata no egao ga boku no kokoro ni
kuritikaru hitto
itsu no ma ni yara hai tenshon
motto chikadzuite (kiss and cry)
gaman shinai de (you are my)
sukoshi kega wo shitatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
higaisha ishikitte suki ja nai
uwame dzukai de sasotte kyouhan ga ii
otousan no risutora to
oniichan no intaanetto
okaasan wa daietto
minna wa yozora no pairotto
kodoku wo iyasu muunraito
kyou wa nisshin CUP NOODLE
motto chikadzuite (kiss and cry)
gaman shinai de (you are my)
sukoshi kega wo shitatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
donto woorii beibee (kiss and cry)
kangae sugitari (you are my)
mamotte bakari itatte (natural high)
samishii ja nai
Kiss and cry
I just want to be happy
sukoshi, mou sukoshi
I just want you to hold me
watashi no yowamushi
rainen no tanjoubi made ni
kono mama ja nani mo kawaranai
I just want you to hold me
haji wo kaitatte kamawanai
chotto kizutsuite (kiss and cry)
akiramenai de (you are my)
warai tobashite ganbare (natural high)
ato wa shou ga nai
Kiss and cry
motto yuuki dashite (kiss and cry)
motto honki misete (you are my)
umaku ikanaku tatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Kiss&Cry
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: Utada Hikaru
Lyricist: Utada Hikaru
Composer: Utada Hikaru
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
Delinquents, honours students and even teachers,
They’re all the same when they fall in love.
As my eardrums throb to the bass drum
And the high hats continue their captivating beat,
A mesmerising B section comes to life.
Your smile launched a
Critical hit to my heart
And before I knew it, there was a feeling of high-tension.
Keep coming ever closer to me, (kiss and cry,)
I can’t resist you any longer. (you are my)
It will hurt a little (natural high.)
But it’ll be alright.
Just simply kiss and cry.
This feeling of victimisation – I don’t like it.
This upward glance of seduction – having accomplices is alright.
Dad’s corporation is restructuring.
Bro’s on the internet.
Mom is dieting.
Everyone is a pilot of the night sky
As the moonlight heals the loneliness.
Today is a day for Nissin CUP NOODLES.*
Keep coming ever closer to me, (kiss and cry,)
I can’t hold it back anymore. (you are my)
It could hurt a little (natural high.)
But it’ll be okay.
Just simply kiss and cry.
Don’t worry baby, (kiss and cry,)
You are thinking too much. (you are my)
I have always protected you, (natural high.)
So don’t feel like you are alone.
Let’s just kiss and cry.
I just want to be happy...
More, just a little more.
I just want you to hold me,
My little coward.
If you keep on going like this
Nothing will change even when you grow another year older.**
I just want you to hold me...
Don’t worry about that feeling of embarrassment.
When it hurts a little, (kiss and cry,)
Don’t give in to it. (you are my)
Laugh it all away and hang in there. (natural high.)
We can’t help whatever else happens but this we can do...***
Kiss and cry.
Show more courage, (kiss and cry,)
Look more serious, (you are my)
And even if you were to fail (natural high.)
It’ll be alright.
We’ll just simply kiss and cry.
Notes:
*Note 1: For the uninitiated, Nissin (pronounced “nisshin” in Japanese) is the producer of the Cup Noodles brand. They are noodles in a cup – just add water and you’ve got a meal in two minutes, LOL.
**Note 2: Literally, “Until your next birthday, nothing will change if you keep this up.”
***Note 3: Literally, “We can’t help the rest of it” – I added the point that there is something that can be done to highlight that that is the gist of the sentence in Japanese. There are some things that we can’t do, but for the things that we can do – we should keep at them.
Links:
Utada Hikaru Official Website (maintained by EMI Music Japan)
Purchase Beautiful World/Kiss&Cry online (via YesAsia Global)
Track 2 from Hikki's single, Beautiful World/Kiss&Cry (Released 2007/08/29)
PV availability:
A PV was released for the track, but like the Beautiful World PV, there is no Hikki in sight. Instead, you will be treated to anime characters from the Freedom Cup Noodles series lip-synching to the song. Yay for fans of Freedom, I guess (Now I have an honest answer to that odd American war justification question of "Do you hate freedom?"... Frankly, yes - they took my "Hikki time" away from me, bastards - down with freedom!!! LOL)... (>___<)
Theme song:
This song is the theme to the Freedom Cup Noodles commercials. The "Freedom Project" is a very interesting concept that was headed up by Nissin as a promotional campaign. It is an official anime with a story and everything, but it's primary focus is a promotional tool. Kiss&Cry will take the place of the project's previous theme song, which was Hikki's very own This is Love (another song that I adore).
Alternative versions:
There are currently no known alternative versions of the piece at this time.
Comments:
So, what is Kiss&Cry really about and why in the world was it originally titled Dancing Leah? (it looks like Hikki also got caught up in the strange Leah Dizon craze that's been going around Asia!) Well, for the record - it has nothing to do with Leah but everything to do with the concept of freedom. Kiss&Cry is merged into one word because they are two takes of the same thing - freedom. Kissing is the freedom to express affection and crying, the freedom to express anguish.
On a superficial level, this song is simply one person encouraging another person to take a chance. Beyond this understanding however is the fact that Hikki is asking this individual to free himself/herself to love (the additional lyrics at the end of the song reinforce this urging). The song is very much based on the world created in Freedom - a world on the moon where peace exists relative to strict social controls placed on its citizens.
In this lunar society called Eden, true freedom is only available for a certain period between graduating from studying to become a productive citizen and actually being a productive citizen (both of which are false freedoms). But it is during this period of "true freedom", that we understand how effective the system of social control is because its citizens continue to stream themselves into prescribed events and acts despite their brief period of "true freedom". In the story, the main character, Takeru, deviates through an act of creativity and in doing so, glimpses the secret of freedom within Eden.
Who would have thought a promotional anime campaign with characters that adamantly consume Nissin's Cup Noodles could have such an intriguing storyline? But there you have it, that's the basic plot to Freedom. In this way, one can understand the song as an encouragement to simply deviate - to reject defined experiences and throw oneself to the mercy of raw, turbulent and passionate emotions instead.
Of course, there is also the Cup Noodles verse in the song which seems to serve as an intermission or a highlight of the motions of life today. In some ways, the heavy use of katakana in the verse also implies the adoption of Western lifestyles in Japan. The stanza can also be seen as a critique of Cup Noodles which is the symbol for a quick meal that can be eaten alone and thus also a symbol for Western capitalism and its predominance in the Japanese mind (concepts of individualism, "time is money" mentalities, profit-making, and so on).
Nonetheless, that verse does serve as a reminder of the anime's purpose which is the promotion of Cup Noodles. More relevantly however is the message that Cup Noodles can accommodate almost any lifestyle - if you need a cheap, quick, easy and light meal then look to Cup Noodles, LOL (it carried me through my undergraduate years! But I don't recommend too much of it just because noodles in styrofoam cups don't scream "HEALTH FOOD!!!", LOL).
Overall, the song is very well done with a major funk factor that really gets the listener into the song. Although Hikki's only live performance of it didn't go too well (I will never forget how much disappointment was written into her face as the song came to a close - it was terribly heart-aching for me...), the recorded track is actually very good.
Anyhow, this comments segment is getting way too long. Enough rambling and on to the good stuff!
Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com with some modifications to facilitate karaoke-ing, LOL.
--------------------------------------
日本語:
Kiss&Cry
--------------------------------------
歌手: 宇多田ヒカル
作詞: Utada Hikaru
作曲: Utada Hikaru
--------------------------------------
不良も優等生も先生も
恋に落ちれば同じよね
鼓膜にあたるバスドラと
心地よく突くハイハット
とろけるようなＢセクション
あなたの笑顔がぼくの心に
クリティカルヒット
いつの間にやらハイテンション
もっと近づいて(kiss and cry)
我慢しないで(you are my)
少しケガをしたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
被害者意識って 好きじゃない
上目遣いで誘って 共犯がいい
お父さんのリストラと
お兄ちゃんのインターネット
お母さんはダイエット
みんなは夜空のパイロット
孤独を癒すムーンライト
今日は日清CUP NOODLE
もっと近づいて(kiss and cry)
我慢しないで(you are my)
少しケガをしたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
ドントウォーリーベイベー(kiss and cry)
考えすぎたり(you are my)
守ってばかりいたって(natural high)
さみしいじゃない
Kiss and cry
I just want to be happy
少し、もう少し
I just want you to hold me
わたしの弱虫
来年の誕生日までに
このままじゃ何も変わらない
I just want you to hold me
恥をかいたってかまわない
ちょっと傷ついて(kiss and cry)
あきらめないで(you are my)
笑い飛ばしてがんばれ(natural high)
あとはしょうがない
Kiss and cry
もっと勇気出して(kiss and cry)
もっと本気見せて(you are my)
うまくいかなくたって(natural high)
まあいいんじゃない
Kiss and cry
-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Kiss&Cry
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: utada hikaru
sakushi: Utada Hikaru
sakkyoku: Utada Hikaru
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
furyou mo yuutousei mo sensei mo
koi ni ochireba onaji yo ne
komaku ni ataru basudora to
kokochi yoku tsuku haihatto
torukeru youna B sekushon
anata no egao ga boku no kokoro ni
kuritikaru hitto
itsu no ma ni yara hai tenshon
motto chikadzuite (kiss and cry)
gaman shinai de (you are my)
sukoshi kega wo shitatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
higaisha ishikitte suki ja nai
uwame dzukai de sasotte kyouhan ga ii
otousan no risutora to
oniichan no intaanetto
okaasan wa daietto
minna wa yozora no pairotto
kodoku wo iyasu muunraito
kyou wa nisshin CUP NOODLE
motto chikadzuite (kiss and cry)
gaman shinai de (you are my)
sukoshi kega wo shitatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
donto woorii beibee (kiss and cry)
kangae sugitari (you are my)
mamotte bakari itatte (natural high)
samishii ja nai
Kiss and cry
I just want to be happy
sukoshi, mou sukoshi
I just want you to hold me
watashi no yowamushi
rainen no tanjoubi made ni
kono mama ja nani mo kawaranai
I just want you to hold me
haji wo kaitatte kamawanai
chotto kizutsuite (kiss and cry)
akiramenai de (you are my)
warai tobashite ganbare (natural high)
ato wa shou ga nai
Kiss and cry
motto yuuki dashite (kiss and cry)
motto honki misete (you are my)
umaku ikanaku tatte (natural high)
maa iin ja nai
Kiss and cry
-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Kiss&Cry
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: Utada Hikaru
Lyricist: Utada Hikaru
Composer: Utada Hikaru
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
Delinquents, honours students and even teachers,
They’re all the same when they fall in love.
As my eardrums throb to the bass drum
And the high hats continue their captivating beat,
A mesmerising B section comes to life.
Your smile launched a
Critical hit to my heart
And before I knew it, there was a feeling of high-tension.
Keep coming ever closer to me, (kiss and cry,)
I can’t resist you any longer. (you are my)
It will hurt a little (natural high.)
But it’ll be alright.
Just simply kiss and cry.
This feeling of victimisation – I don’t like it.
This upward glance of seduction – having accomplices is alright.
Dad’s corporation is restructuring.
Bro’s on the internet.
Mom is dieting.
Everyone is a pilot of the night sky
As the moonlight heals the loneliness.
Today is a day for Nissin CUP NOODLES.*
Keep coming ever closer to me, (kiss and cry,)
I can’t hold it back anymore. (you are my)
It could hurt a little (natural high.)
But it’ll be okay.
Just simply kiss and cry.
Don’t worry baby, (kiss and cry,)
You are thinking too much. (you are my)
I have always protected you, (natural high.)
So don’t feel like you are alone.
Let’s just kiss and cry.
I just want to be happy...
More, just a little more.
I just want you to hold me,
My little coward.
If you keep on going like this
Nothing will change even when you grow another year older.**
I just want you to hold me...
Don’t worry about that feeling of embarrassment.
When it hurts a little, (kiss and cry,)
Don’t give in to it. (you are my)
Laugh it all away and hang in there. (natural high.)
We can’t help whatever else happens but this we can do...***
Kiss and cry.
Show more courage, (kiss and cry,)
Look more serious, (you are my)
And even if you were to fail (natural high.)
It’ll be alright.
We’ll just simply kiss and cry.
Notes:
*Note 1: For the uninitiated, Nissin (pronounced “nisshin” in Japanese) is the producer of the Cup Noodles brand. They are noodles in a cup – just add water and you’ve got a meal in two minutes, LOL.
**Note 2: Literally, “Until your next birthday, nothing will change if you keep this up.”
***Note 3: Literally, “We can’t help the rest of it” – I added the point that there is something that can be done to highlight that that is the gist of the sentence in Japanese. There are some things that we can’t do, but for the things that we can do – we should keep at them.
Links:
Utada Hikaru Official Website (maintained by EMI Music Japan)
Purchase Beautiful World/Kiss&Cry online (via YesAsia Global)
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Comments
Well, this isn't my favorite song but I think I understand it a little bit more now that I've read your translation. What I don't understand in this song is the random (or maybe not) references to everyday life. Like the section where she is talking about the mother/brother/dad.
Thanks for the translation though :D!
This song is strange - I like it (not as much as Beautiful World though) but I don't really know why... LOL! hmm...