Why this blog?
I love AKB48. One of the main reasons that got me hooked onto them is their lyrics. AKB48 lyrics, all written by their producer Akimoto Yasushi, are unexpectedly high quality for an idol group. AKB48's song catalogue consists of more than 300 songs, with an impressive range of themes (from the most classic love song to a song against revisionist history!), and what struck me is that all of them are beautifully worded, really making the best use of the Japanese language.
My aim is to spread the love for AKB48 songs, including less popular but very interesting tracks.
Who am I?
In short, a Japanese lyrics geek.
I have graduated from University in 2006, majoring in Japanese, with a thesis in Japanese music lyrics. I've kept practicing Japanese and translation and deepened my study of lyrics even outside Uni, and I have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 pass. I'm not saying it to brag, I just want my readers to know that they can trust my translations as accurate and faithful to the original. On the other hand, I am not a very fluent English speaker, so I will gladly welcome corrections to my English grammar and orthography.
I don't add kanji or romaji lyrics to avoid copyright infringement. For kanji lyrics, check JASRAC-licensed uta-net (single and album songs) or AKB48.co.jp for stage songs.
The embedded Youtube videos are only for sample purposes.
Disclaimer
All the lyrics' copyright is property of Akimoto Yasushi. My work of translation is only intended to spread the love for AKB48 and their beautiful lyrics through the English-speaking fanbase.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Monday, March 21, 2011
blog48!
And now, an announcement!
Dear readers,
together with other translators from Stage48, we created a blog where we're posting translations of AKB48 / SDN48 / NMB48 / SKE48 official blogs.
Please visit *drumroll*
BLOG48
We already have 43 girls' blogs covered, and the list is increasing~ come read what your oshimen blogs about everyday! ♥
Dear readers,
together with other translators from Stage48, we created a blog where we're posting translations of AKB48 / SDN48 / NMB48 / SKE48 official blogs.
Please visit *drumroll*
We already have 43 girls' blogs covered, and the list is increasing~ come read what your oshimen blogs about everyday! ♥
Team A - "Rider"
The last unit song from A3 has a special, important meaning. I'll be glad if you read these lyrics carefully.
"Rider"
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Komatani Hitomi, Watanabe Shiho, Orii Ayumi, Hoshino Michiru, Sato Yukari, Kawasaki Nozomi, Ohe Tomomi, Urano Kazumi, Tojima Hana
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Sakai Mikio
point of view: female
theme: allegory/story
original lyrics
listen to Rider on youtube
Comment
This is a special song, showing once again the tight bond that AKB (used to?) have with their fans. (This is a true story.)
There was a fan who had followed AKB at the theatre since their very first days in 2005, when they were still nameless, struggling idols. He was a regular, attending shows as much as he could; a nice guy, loved by the other fans and recognized by the members. They used to call him Rider-san, because he used to drive a motorbike.
Unfortunately, at the end of 2006, he suddenly fell ill and passed away. The girls got worried cause they couldn't see him around anymore; when they heard he had passed away, they were shocked and sad. Therefore, Akimoto decided to dedicate a song of Team A's new stage to this loyal fan who wasn't in this world anymore.
The frontgirls for this unit, Komatani Hitomi and Watanabe Shiho (both now graduated), were Rider-san's oshimen. When they sing our meeting happened back in December they mean, of course, the AKB Theatre opening on December 8th 2005. The benches are the theatre seats (which used to be actually long benches), in the half-empty square, the theatre that for the first times was nowhere near sold out.
I think this is a wonderful tribute to one of the first people who supported AKB since their birth, and despite sounding like a cheerful song, after knowing the story behind it, "Rider" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
(On a side note: exactly because of this song's special meaning, when NMB48 announced their first stage would be "Dareka no tame ni", many fans hoped they wouldn't sing this song. They do perform it, led by Jonishi Kei and Matsuda Shiori, but who saw N1 live assured they sing it pouring a lot of feeling into the song and making justice to its meaning.)
"Rider"
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Komatani Hitomi, Watanabe Shiho, Orii Ayumi, Hoshino Michiru, Sato Yukari, Kawasaki Nozomi, Ohe Tomomi, Urano Kazumi, Tojima Hana
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Sakai Mikio
point of view: female
theme: allegory/story
original lyrics
listen to Rider on youtube
I was worried
'Cause I haven't seen you around recently
I remember your smile,
Warmer than anyone else's...
I was informed
That you moved to a faraway town
I would've liked
To say at least goodbye
Where are you running to
On your bike
Through the wind?
Is the sky clear over there?
I miss you!
Yes!
I won't forget you...
In that half-empty square
You sat down on the bench
And always listened to me sing
Yes!
I won't forget our meeting...
It happened back in December
But it feels like yesterday to me
Time flies, doesn't it?
Even if I can't meet you anymore,
I won't be sad and I'll sing
I'm sure that that's what you,
Who are living somewhere, wish, too
Yes, even now,
I feel as if you could appear suddenly
Saying "I'm late"
On your usual bench...
You stopped your bike
On the corner of my heart
And you're still watching me from somewhere
Even if it starts raining...
Remember!
You!
Even when I feel crushed
I will dream for you, too,
So please cheer me louder than anyone else
You!
When I feel crushed
I'll close my eyes and remember
The sight of you clapping your hands on time
Is my eternal ally
I miss you!
Yes!
I won't forget you...
In that half-empty square
You sat down on the bench
And always listened to me sing
Yes!
I won't forget our meeting...
It happened back in December
But it feels like yesterday to me
Time flies, doesn't it?
Comment
This is a special song, showing once again the tight bond that AKB (used to?) have with their fans. (This is a true story.)
There was a fan who had followed AKB at the theatre since their very first days in 2005, when they were still nameless, struggling idols. He was a regular, attending shows as much as he could; a nice guy, loved by the other fans and recognized by the members. They used to call him Rider-san, because he used to drive a motorbike.
Unfortunately, at the end of 2006, he suddenly fell ill and passed away. The girls got worried cause they couldn't see him around anymore; when they heard he had passed away, they were shocked and sad. Therefore, Akimoto decided to dedicate a song of Team A's new stage to this loyal fan who wasn't in this world anymore.
The frontgirls for this unit, Komatani Hitomi and Watanabe Shiho (both now graduated), were Rider-san's oshimen. When they sing our meeting happened back in December they mean, of course, the AKB Theatre opening on December 8th 2005. The benches are the theatre seats (which used to be actually long benches), in the half-empty square, the theatre that for the first times was nowhere near sold out.
I think this is a wonderful tribute to one of the first people who supported AKB since their birth, and despite sounding like a cheerful song, after knowing the story behind it, "Rider" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
(On a side note: exactly because of this song's special meaning, when NMB48 announced their first stage would be "Dareka no tame ni", many fans hoped they wouldn't sing this song. They do perform it, led by Jonishi Kei and Matsuda Shiori, but who saw N1 live assured they sing it pouring a lot of feeling into the song and making justice to its meaning.)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Team A - "Shinkirou"
Sorry for being late to post again x_x I'll finish A3 and start on the Sakura Special asap!
"Shinkirou" (Mirage)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Kojima Haruna, Nakanishi Rina
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Miyajima Ritsuko
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Shinkirou on youtube
"Shinkirou" (Mirage)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Kojima Haruna, Nakanishi Rina
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Miyajima Ritsuko
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Shinkirou on youtube
As my heart sways, sways
I will disappear from your sight
Excuse me for my love
Excuse me for my love
The train platform at dawn
Is like a letter with nothing written on it
Without even managing to say goodbye
I'm heading to a town I don't know
On the first morning train
Ah, because I love you
I will throw everything away
And leave on a journey
A swaying, swaying mirage outside the window
The time that goes by is like an illusion
I'm glad I could dream
The summer sky is swaying, swaying outside the window
The big clouds look like they're about to cry
Love is so mean
Love is so mean
If I talked to you
You'd make sad eyes
And keep me here
This is my foolish decision
Please, don't look for me
Ah, because I still love you
I will just disappear
Forever...
Even if big, big drops of tears fall
My memories are my treasure
I'm glad the two of us met
Even if big, big drops of tears fall
I can't wipe my love off
Excuse me for my love
Excuse me for my love
A swaying, swaying mirage outside the window
The time that goes by is like an illusion
I'm glad I could dream
The summer sky is swaying, swaying outside the window
The big clouds look like they're about to cry
Love is so mean
Love is so mean
Going far away...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Team A - "Nagekiss de uchiotose!"
Here comes Queen Acchan! This fun, uptempo unit also has Tomochin and Miichan who went on to become frontgirls in their own right.
Also, in NMB's version my (probably) favourite NMB member, Milky aka Watanabe Miyuki, takes the centre position, and another favourite, Riichan aka Kondo Rina, has Tomochin's position. ♥
"Nagekiss de uchiotose!" (Shoot me down with a blown kiss!)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Maeda Atsuko, Minegishi Minami, Itano Tomomi, Masuyama Kayano, Hirajima Natsumi, Narita Risa
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Okada Mio
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Nagekiss de uchiotose on youtube
Comment
Not much to comment. It's a classic high school love song, where the girl likes the most popular boy and wants to have him for herself. The dance is really cute.
Also, in NMB's version my (probably) favourite NMB member, Milky aka Watanabe Miyuki, takes the centre position, and another favourite, Riichan aka Kondo Rina, has Tomochin's position. ♥
"Nagekiss de uchiotose!" (Shoot me down with a blown kiss!)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Maeda Atsuko, Minegishi Minami, Itano Tomomi, Masuyama Kayano, Hirajima Natsumi, Narita Risa
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Okada Mio
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Nagekiss de uchiotose on youtube
La la la...
Every girl in school is aiming at him
His seniors, his juniors and even his classmates
Everyone's crazy for him
They're all my rivals, yeah!
I'm madly in love with him
I'm head over heels
Sorry, but I'll take this love for me
Shoot me down with a blown kiss!
I want to catch in my hands the hearts flying in the sky
Shoot me down with a blown kiss!
Your smile's missile
Hits the target more precisely than an angel!
After lessons, the American football club is training
His whole fanclub has gathered on the stands
Whenever he tackles they shout hysterically, yeah!
He's the best
He's just too cool
I'll have my happy end at all costs
You hit me repeatedly like a machinegun
Those darling bullets
Knock me out as I can't move
You hit me repeatedly like a machinegun
My whole body
This baptism is crueler than a gangster
When just one popular guy like you is here
This boring school looks like a pink paradise
Shoot me down with a blown kiss!
I want to catch in my hands the hearts flying in the sky
Shoot me down with a blown kiss!
Your smile's missile
Hits the target more precisely than an angel!
Comment
Not much to comment. It's a classic high school love song, where the girl likes the most popular boy and wants to have him for herself. The dance is really cute.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Team A - "Bird"
Despite having two popular girls in the unit alongside Takamina (Oshima Mai, now graduated, and Mariko), and although Takahashi now has a solo song (which I'll translate too, since I feel it's the follow-up to this song), Bird is Takamina's signature song even now. It's also one of AKB's best songs and performances.
(As a Sae-oshi, I feel compelled to inform you that whenever this song is performed in a non-shuffle occasion, Ms.Miyazawa is the substitute for Maimai. 8D)
"Bird"
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Takahashi Minami, Oshima Mai, Shinoda Mariko
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Morikawa Naoki
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Bird on youtube
Notes
1 The Aqua Line is a freeway running from Tokyo to Kisarazu, a city in Chiba prefecture. Most of it consists of a tunnel + bridge combination crossing Tokyo Bay.
2 Umihotaru (literally meaning "sea firefly" is an artificial island that lies in the middle of Tokyo Bay, at the crossover point between the tunnel and the bridge. It also has amusement and dining facilities.
If you want to know more about the Aqua Line and Umihotaru, you can check its English-language wikipedia page or just look at it on Google maps.
Comment
"Bird" tells us about a couple who's going back to their hometown in Chiba (after presumably a night out in Tokyo) at daybreak. The girl feels like she loves him much more than he loves her, therefore she feels like a wingless bird who has lost its freedom and can't fly anymore. The imagery perfectly conveys the sadness, and the words used are particularly suggestive - with most verbs and nouns chosen to represent certain feelings. I can only hope I have written a translation good enough for you to feel those feelings evoked by the original lyrics.
(As a Sae-oshi, I feel compelled to inform you that whenever this song is performed in a non-shuffle occasion, Ms.Miyazawa is the substitute for Maimai. 8D)
"Bird"
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Takahashi Minami, Oshima Mai, Shinoda Mariko
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Morikawa Naoki
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Bird on youtube
Chased and surpassed by the dawn
Just when you turned off your car's headlights
The Aqua Line1 that takes us back to our town
Is too long for us to talk
There's nothing to do but run
Love is a bird who's lost its wings and can't fly
I feel the wind from the passenger's seat's window
Love is a bird who's lost its wings and can't fly
Trapped inside the cage of my heart
Ah, the day when that sky is no longer mine has come
There aren't other cars either
So my loneliness just goes on and on
When we surpassed Umihotaru2
That profile of yours I used to remember
Got blurred by my tears
I am a sad bird who's forgotten how to fly
I just squat down in the place I am in now
I am a sad bird who has forgotten how to fly
I cannot make my way to your heart
Ah, on this ground,
Deprived of my freedom, farewell
Love is a bird who's lost its wings and can't fly
I feel the wind from the passenger's seat's window
Love is a bird who's lost its wings and can't fly
Trapped inside the cage of my heart
Ah, the day when that sky is no longer mine has come
Notes
1 The Aqua Line is a freeway running from Tokyo to Kisarazu, a city in Chiba prefecture. Most of it consists of a tunnel + bridge combination crossing Tokyo Bay.
2 Umihotaru (literally meaning "sea firefly" is an artificial island that lies in the middle of Tokyo Bay, at the crossover point between the tunnel and the bridge. It also has amusement and dining facilities.
If you want to know more about the Aqua Line and Umihotaru, you can check its English-language wikipedia page or just look at it on Google maps.
Comment
"Bird" tells us about a couple who's going back to their hometown in Chiba (after presumably a night out in Tokyo) at daybreak. The girl feels like she loves him much more than he loves her, therefore she feels like a wingless bird who has lost its freedom and can't fly anymore. The imagery perfectly conveys the sadness, and the words used are particularly suggestive - with most verbs and nouns chosen to represent certain feelings. I can only hope I have written a translation good enough for you to feel those feelings evoked by the original lyrics.
Team A - "Tanjoubi no yoru"
Sorry for not updating for days x_x! "Tanjoubi no yoru" is musically my least favourite song from Team A's 3rd Stage "Dareka no tame ni", so I guess my mind was unconsciously postponing it? (that, and the fact that I am currently without a job, and looking for employment is a full-time job, at least in this part of the world >_>)
Without further ado, here we go! Unit songs coming up next. Bird = ♥
"Tanjoubi no yoru" (Birthday night)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Team A (full team)
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Okada Mio
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Tanjoubi no yoru on youtube
Notes
The lines in italics are in English in the original lyrics.
Comment
I might not like the tune of this song but the situation depicted in the lyrics is rather cute. I love how it's like a short story, telling us a little anectode from beginning to end.
Without further ado, here we go! Unit songs coming up next. Bird = ♥
"Tanjoubi no yoru" (Birthday night)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Team A (full team)
words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Okada Mio
point of view: female
theme: love song
original lyrics
listen to Tanjoubi no yoru on youtube
Love me, darling!
Love, Love me, baby!
We can't say, yet.
Kiss me, darling!
Kiss, Kiss me, baby!
We can't do it, yet.
Love me, darling!
Love, Love me, baby!
We're fighting now.
Kiss me, darling!
Kiss, Kiss me, baby!
Cause we're stubborn.
Since you like doing childish things
Like shaking a can of coke on purpose
And then handing it to me looking all innocent,
Of course I immediately realized
That your unconcerned-looking face
Was scheming something
You said we'd celebrate my birthday together
And at the seats booked at a restaurant...
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
You've started singing out loud
Putting on airs as if you were an opera singer
Even though there are other customers in the restaurant
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
I'm embarassed,
Everyone is looking at us
You just keep on singing
Earnestly, your eyes closed
On top of the cake in front of me
As many candles as the number of my years are swaying
I wonder from which candle
Since what candle have the two of us been together?
I have to blow them out in one breath
I kind of feel under pressure
I'm a coward, aren't I?
The only person in the world
Who'd sing to me so proudly
Is you
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
Everyone in the restaurant starts singing
There's no turning back now
Yes, I am the leading actress tonight
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
I did the impossible to catch as much breath as I could
And on that second,
You had the nerve to kiss me suddenly on my lips
Amidst the cheers and applauses
You whispered to me
"I'll sing next year, too"
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
You've started singing out loud
Putting on airs as if you were an opera singer
Even though there are other customers in the restaurant
Happy!
Happy birthday to you!
I'm embarassed,
Everyone is looking at us
You just keep on singing
Earnestly, your eyes closed
Notes
The lines in italics are in English in the original lyrics.
Comment
I might not like the tune of this song but the situation depicted in the lyrics is rather cute. I love how it's like a short story, telling us a little anectode from beginning to end.
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