Team A - "Pioneer"

If one was to say what's the main characteristic of AKB48, the one that sets them apart from other idol groups, that would be without a doubt the theatre shows. Therefore, my next series of posts will be dedicated to Team Songs (one for each team, not necessarily the latest, though). Each of the songs I chose clearly showcases, both music- and lyrics-wise, that team's characteristics and are basically distilled and bottled AKB48.

Let's start with the pioneers, Team A.

"Pioneer"
(from Team A 6th stage "Mokugekisha")
Team A (full team)

words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Nonaka "Masa" Yuichi
point of view: female (as the speaking first person is the girls themselves), but the language used in this song is rather gender-neutral
theme: team song
original lyrics


listen to Pioneer on youtube

In a corner of this world
Like a mirage
That day the field of our dreams
Was suddenly born

We changed into our tracksuits
And started our lessons
We opened up our own way
And cultivated our future

We were just twentytwo seeds
No one had any expectation over
Until the day
We would all bloom

We are the Team A!
We are the pioneers
March on, Team A
We have to believe
Come on, let's bet on ourselves
We have nothing to lose
We are the Team A!
We are the pioneers
March on, Team A
Let our sweat flow
Now everything will begin
Let's remember
Once again
How earnest we were

Everyone around us was laughing
Saying it was impossible
But only seven people
Watched over us

We couldn't retreat
We had no choice but do it
We didn't have time to cry
Until the day when our efforts gave fruits

Just like one becomes strong
When he's hit by wind and rain,
As time passed,
All of us turned into one

We are the Team A!
The first try
Go, Team A
Never give up
Come on, we have to shape it
We have our pride
We are the Team A!
The first try
Go, Team A
Face forwards
We have to make it with our obstinacy
And set a precedent of success
For those who come after us

We are the Team A!
We are the pioneers
March on, Team A
We have to believe
Come on, let's bet on ourselves
We have nothing to lose
We are the Team A!
We are the pioneers
March on, Team A
Let our sweat flow
Now everything will begin
Let's remember once again
How earnest we were

Comment
It's surprising how, despite being AKB48's first team, Team A never had a team song before their latest stage to date. Granted, they did sing AKB48 theme songs like the eponymous "AKB48" or "AKB sanjou!", but this is their first (and so far only) Team A song.
The lyrics are rather straightforward and talk about the very beginning of AKB48, when Team A was the only team and had barely started performing their first stage "Party ga hajimaru yo". Impossible to believe as it seems today, there was a time when AKB48 were nobodies and their very first theatre show audience consisted of seven people. The girls had only had a few weeks to go from virtually absolute beginners to decent performers of their stage, and they had given it all, so it's easy to imagine how let down they must have felt to perform day after day in front of a bunch of empty seats.
Yet, they never gave up - and look where AKB48 is now.
It is true that these words are literally applicable to just a handful of Team A girls, and most of the "Pioneers" have graduated now. But one look at Oya Shizuka's tears while performing the song on the opening day of A6th is enough to understand how this song rings inside even newer members' hearts.
This is also a reminder to the girls to never forget their first days (Let's remember once again / How earnest we were). Team A, willing or not, is and will always be AKB48's first line team, the team that started everything, with all the prestige and, at the same time, the responsibilities that being a Team A member means, who set a precedent of success / For those who come after us.
One last thing I'd like to point out is the seed metaphor. Albeit not the most original metaphor ever used, it is so effective. The use of words like "field" or "耕す" (cultivate) as the last words of respectively the first and the second A-melody verses introduces the full use of the metaphor in the immediately following B-melody verse: twenty-two seeds sown in an unfamiliar ground, which only had to rely on their own strenght to finally blossom. I think it is a very effective and beautiful simile that gives a little embellishment to these straightforward lyrics.


Next, Team K (incidentally, my favourite team)! Can you guess which team song will be chosen?