2 posts tagged “beautiful world/kiss&cry”

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.

Listen to a sample of Kiss&Cry (~1:20 mins)

Kiss&Cry (Sample, ~1:20 mins)

Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル)

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)

Let me start off by congratulating Hikki on being crowned queen of the digital music world! Selling 7.7 million tracks online of her single Flavor of Life has effectively led to Hikki towering above all other artists worldwide - yes, the list does take into account American, British and other great artists from other nations as well in case you are still wondering what I meant by "worldwide". With the recent release of her full discography into the UK iTunes store, we are likely to only see that number grow.

It's ironic though - her misadventures into the English-speaking market earned her a phrase all to herself in the Japanese entertainment industry - "to pull an Utada", which means to seriously screw up in entering the English-speaking market even when you are at your peak. Indeed, I've always wondered why the lyrics for her English songs were not as good as they could be because it is clear that she could write excellent songs in Japanese (Hikki is solidly bilingual - heck, she speaks English with a New York accent and has written some of her most successful songs in English first before translating and releasing them in Japanese)... Ah, those were indeed trying times for Hikki...

But it seems I am digressing too far, time to get back on point! So, after translating one painful song comes yet another translation of a sad song, but this time it's from Hikki. Although the tempo of the song seems quite in contrast to the lyrics, when they are put together they do give off a unique feeling of pain. Beautiful World seems reminiscent of her most recent album ULTRA BLUE (when I first heard it, the songs from the album - Making Love and BLUE - came to my mind at the same time although I can't explain why).

The song was written as the theme to the ultimately depressing anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion (they are "rebooting" the series in four movies) - the English title of this remake is known as Rebuild of Evangelion. Hopefully with this retelling they will also make it a lot easier for normal people to understand what they were going on about... Sure, I understood that there was plenty of religion, philosophy and psychology in there but it seemed too hard to grasp what was going on sometimes. Regardless, from what I do know of it, it's not for the faint of heart nor is it a "feel-good" anime - thus, perhaps this song hints at some of the more despairing themes from the movie (but I will never know, LOL).

As a note, the physical single is not actually on sale yet - that will take another three more weeks as August 29th is the release date of the physical single. The lyrics and the song itself has already been released to the public, though besides radio and chaku-uta (early release of full-length songs downloaded via mobile phones), there is no way of securing the song at the moment. Nonetheless, three weeks is not that long to wait... still, I can't wait to get my hands on the single!

Thus, in anticipation of the great successes that lie ahead for Hikki - and Beautiful World - here is an attempted translation of a beautiful song from a beautiful singer.

Listen to a sample of Beautiful World (~2:20 mins)

Beautiful World (Sample, ~2:20 mins)

Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル)

PV availability:
A PV was released for the song. If you are looking for more Hikki though, the PV doesn't deliver because it's made up entirely of Evangelion scenes... Oh Hikki, where art thou?

Theme song:
This is the theme song to the tetralogy of movies: ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版 ("wevangeriwon shin gekijouban"; trans: "Evangelion - New Theatrical Edition"; English title: "Rebuild of Evangelion")

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions of this song at this time.

Comments:
Beautiful world is a heartbreaking song that is filled with contradiction in the lyrics - the entire song is, in itself, a contradiction to itself. Despite the obvious sadness that the world has brought upon the protagonist, it's still a beautiful world nonetheless and it seems that the only real thing that is beautiful is the boy - which really represents an unattainable object of desire. It is the boy, in this regard, that makes the world beautiful but at the same time, the boy does not recognise this effect nor does he realise his own beauty. The English echo "It's only love" seems to hint that she is trying to justify her intense feelings for him (notice how this line only comes in parts where she speaks of the boy not knowing his own beauty).

There is a lot of hidden meaning to parts of the songs and I especially like the observation where newspapers have nothing relevant to the individual lives of most people - we are always worrying more about other things that are more personal to us. The background music also hints a sense of urgency (the haunting refrain of the piano does this quite well) and this feeling is reinforced near the end of the lyrics. As with some of her other songs, there are also hidden lyrics in this song - they grow louder with each refraining chorus probably to hint something of a realisation that becomes increasingly clear. If you listen, you can hear them coming after "Beautiful world" and "Beautiful boy"... They can be heard at their clearest at the end of the song.

[My problem is this... I can't really make out what is being said... Sometimes I am sure I hear: "Beautiful Life" and other times "Beautiful Lie" and then sometimes I also here "Beautiful prayer" but other times "Beautiful prey"... They all make for some really interesting perspectives to view the song with. Personally, I think it's really "Beautiful lie" followed by "Beautiful prayer" but I can't be certain.]*

In the end, Beautiful world is a great song which not only works to give off the feeling of sorrow but also a sense of urgency or at least a  feeling of emotions swelling up in the melody. The addition of hidden messages only make the song even more intriguing. Alright, time to cut to the chase and get the lyrics going for this piece of musical magic.

*[UPDATE] It took me quite some time to edit this but a while back I actually slid the CD single into my home stereo to listen to the songs in their full glory. From it, there is no mistaking that Hikki was actually singing "Beautiful lie" followed by "Beautiful prayer". Really, if you ever want to find out how much quality is lost by converting music into MP3 format - look no further for proof, LOL. (^___^") Yea, MP3 has spoilt me so much that I rarely slide in all the singles I bought to listen to them... it's a lot nicer to have an entire digital library playing than to slide CDs in and out all the time, no?

--------------------------------------
日本語:
Beautiful World
--------------------------------------
歌手: 宇多田ヒカル
作詞: Utada Hikaru
作曲: Utada Hikaru
--------------------------------------
It's only love
It's only love

もしも願い一つだけ叶うなら
君の側で眠らせて　どんな場所でもいいよ
Beautiful world
迷わず君だけを見つめている
Beautiful boy
自分の美しさ　まだ知らないの

It's only love

寝ても覚めても少年マンガ
夢見てばっか　自分が好きじゃないの

何が欲しいか分からなくて
ただ欲しがって　ぬるい涙が頬を伝う

言いたいことなんか無い
ただもう一度会いたい
言いたいこと言えない
根性無しかもしれない
それでいいけど

もしも願い一つだけ叶うなら
君の側で眠らせて　どんな場所でもいいよ
Beautiful world
迷わず君だけを見つめている
Beautiful boy
自分の美しさ　まだ知らないの

It's only love

どんなことでもやってみて
損をしたって　少し経験値上がる

新聞なんかいらない
肝心なことが載ってない
最近調子どうだい？
元気にしてるなら
別にいいけど

僕の世界消えるまで会えぬなら
君の側で眠らせて　どんな場所でも結構
Beautiful world
儚く過ぎて行く日々の中で
Beautiful boy
気分のムラは仕方ないね

もしも願い一つだけ叶うなら
君の側で眠らせて

Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...
Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...
Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Beautiful World
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: utada hikaru
sakushi: Utada Hikaru
sakkyoku: Utada Hikaru
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
It’s only love
It’s only love

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara
kimi no soba de nemurasete   donna basho de mo ii yo
Beautiful world
mayowazu kimi dake wo mitsumeteiru
Beautiful boy
jibun no utsukushisa   mada shiranai no

It’s only love

nete mo samete mo shounen manga
yume mite bakka   jibun ga suki janai no

nani ga hoshiika wakaranakute
tada hoshigatte   nurui namida ga hou wo tsutau

iitai koto nanka nai
tada mou ichido aitai
iitai koto ienai
konjou nashi ka mo shirenai
sore de ii kedo

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara
kimi no soba de nemurasete   donna basho de mo ii yo
Beautiful world
mayowazu kimi dake wo mitsumeteiru
Beautiful boy
jibun no utsukushisa   mada shiranai no

It’s only love

donna koto de mo yatte mite
son wo shitatte   sukoshi keiken chiagaru

shinbun nanka iranai
kanjin na koto ga nottenai
saikin choushi doudai?
genki ni shiteru nara
betsu ni ii kedo

boku no sekai kieru made aenu nara
kimi no soba de nemurasete   donna basho de mo kekkou
Beautiful world
hakanaku sugite yuku hibi no naka de
Beautiful boy
kibun no mura wa shitakanai ne

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara
kimi no soba de nemurasete

Beautiful world… Beautiful boy…
Beautiful world… Beautiful boy…
Beautiful world… Beautiful boy…

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Beautiful World
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: Utada Hikaru
Lyricist: Utada Hikaru
Composer: Utada Hikaru
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
It’s only love…
It’s only love…

If I could only have one desire fulfilled,
I would wish to be sleeping by your side, wherever that may be
In this beautiful world.
I gaze at your determined figure -
What a beautiful boy.
Yet, you are unable to see your own beauty.

It’s only love...

Eating, sleeping and breathing comics,*
I hated myself in that passing dream filled with those images.

I know that I don’t know what I want,
Nonetheless, I want it... As tepid tears stream down my cheeks.

I really have nothing I want to say to you,
But I still want to see you one more time.
The things that I want to say – I cannot say.
Perhaps I am a coward,
But it’s alright.

If I were to have only one wish fulfilled,
It would be to lie sleeping by your side, it doesn’t matter where that is
In this beautiful world.
I keep gazing at your determined figure -
What a beautiful boy.
Yet, you still can’t see the beauty within you.

It’s only love...

Trying my hand at almost anything,
It all seems at a loss... Perhaps besides gaining some experience.

I don’t see the need for newspapers,
The things that are most important to people are not even in there.
Have you been taking care of yourself recently?
So long as you are well,
I’ll be fine.

If I don’t get to see you even when my world disappears,
As long as I am resting beside you, any place is bearable
In this beautiful world.
In the midst of these fleeting days
There stands a beautiful boy.
My ever-shifting moods, nothing can be done to help them.

If I could only have one wish fulfilled,
It would be to be there lying by your side.

Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...
Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...
Beautiful world... Beautiful boy...

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “sleeping and waking to comics”

Links:
Utada Hikaru Official Website (maintained by EMI Music Japan)
Purchase Beautiful World/Kiss&Cry online (via YesAsia Global)