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

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.)

Team A - "Tsukimisou"

As I　mentioned, I'm going to tackle my first full stage translation ^__^
And the stage I chose is...
Team A's 3rd Stage "Dareka no tame ni"
The reasons are basically two. The first is that it's a really great stage, with a lot of good tracks. There are fun songs, melancholy songs, dark songs, cute songs. The second reason is that I have a soft spot for AKB's little sisters based in Osaka, NMB48; they've just debuted with a rehash of A3rd so this is to celebrate (original) Team A as well as the pretty, amazing, hardworking 25 girls of NMB48.

Let's start from the first song. Yoisho! (Yes, it's NMB in the image, simply because it's a pretty picture versus my HORRIBLE screencaps. XD)

"Tsukimisou" (Evening primrose)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Team A (full team)

words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Goto Tsugutoshi
point of view: female
theme: allegory
original lyrics


listen to Tsukimisou on youtube

Passing by it on the road
I saw a flower bud that was looking downward
As if it was waiting for someone from somewhere
It looked up at the sky...

Eventually it becomes dusk
The colours of the capital blend into the night
The feelings inside my heart turn into a shadow
As I reach out my hands

The beauty of the ever changing nature
Where does the eternal wind come from?

Secretly meeting night after night,
Avoiding people's eyes
Our love will bloom one day
Watched over by the crescent moon
Dreaming earnestly,
Women are like evening primroses

How long do I have to wait for the sound
Of my loved one's steps until they come closer?
So many stars are twinkling
Enticing love

A summer night longer than today
In this forsaken place
The white flowers of an unforgettable pure love bloom

They look beautiful and noble...
Are they destined to be so short-lived?

All my feelings have stopped silently
Rather than fall, held by you,
I would bloom until morning
And then wither
My life lasts only for one night
Women are like evening primroses

The cicadas who can't give up
Suddenly started singing from the tree branches

Secretly meeting night after night,
Avoiding people's eyes
Our love will bloom one day
Watched over by the crescent moon
Dreaming earnestly,
Women are like evening primroses

All my feelings have stopped silently
Rather than fall, held by you,
I would bloom until morning
And then wither
My life lasts only for one night
Women are like evening primroses

Dreaming only for one night,
Women are like evening primroses

Comment
The main characteristic of this song is the distinct Japanese flavour of it. The melody is built on the classic Asian pentatonic scale, and the instrumental makes use of Japanese drums and instruments; during the song, there are a lot of kakegoe (the classic Japanese rhythmic cries, used, for example, during traditional festivals too - in this case the kakegoe that is repeated throughout the song is "yoisho!". Kakegoe have no literal meaning.)
Moreover, the lyrics are also written in a style reminiscing of classical Japanese.
They make a comparison between a woman who can only meet her lover at night and an evening primrose, a flower that blooms at night and wilts the following morning.

Team K - "Melos no michi"

Another amazing, powerful number by Team K.

"Melos no michi" (Melos's road)
(from Team K 4th stage "Saishuu bell ga naru")
Team K (full team)

words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Ota Michihiko
point of view: gender-neutral
theme: team song
original lyrics


listen to Melos no michi on youtube

Somewhere in this world
There certainly is someone
Who is waiting for you...
That promise you exchanged with the gods
Is your mission

One day, there will certainly be
A meeting
That will make you understand why you were born...
Under the sky
You are dreaming
Of the unknown

If you strain your ears you can hear
A voiceless cry...
Since you have been choosen,
To the cost of throwing everything away...

Hurry up!
You have to rush
On Melos's road right now
For that person who believes in you
Hurry up!
On Melos's road
Even if the goal is far
Don't complain!
Don't give up!
Keep running!
As long as you're alive

Everyone thinks
That you won't come
All the time...
No matter how long they wait
There's no chance

Those curious onlookers
Who have forgotten love
Laugh at the people who believe
No one would keep
Such a promise
It's impossible

The devil is whispering next to you
"It doesn't matter if you don't go"
Retiring would be easier
But you won't betray, will you?

You
Turn into Melos!
Kick the ground
Cut through the wind
Run to the end
Completely lost into it!
There's only one truth
You
Turn into Melos!
Even if you're completely worn out
And fall down
You'll be able to stand up
So many times
For yourself,
Who's waiting believing in you...

You
Turn into Melos!
Kick the ground
Cut through the wind
Run to the end
Completely lost into it!
There's only one truth
You
Turn into Melos!
Even if you're completely worn out
And fall down
You'll be able to stand up
So many times
For yourself,
Who's waiting believing in you...

Comment
Let's start off by clarifying who the "Melos" in the title is.
"Hashire Melos!" ("Run, Melos!") is the title of a short story by a prominent Japanese Literature author, Dazai Osamu. The story, extremely well known and a staple read in Japanese classrooms, is set in Ancient Greece and talks about the strong bond of friendship.
From Wikipedia:

Melos is a naïve young shepherd with a sense of equity. The land in which he lives is ruled by Dionys, a tyrant king who, because of his distrust of people, has killed many. When Melos hears about the King's deeds one day, he becomes enraged. He decides to assassinate the King, and so he sneaks into the castle with a knife, but is caught and arrested. Melos pleads with the King to postpone his execution and give him three days so that he can attend his younger sister's wedding. The King agrees, but on one condition: that Melos' friend Selinuntius is left as a hostage, and if Melos does not return in three days, he will be executed in Melos' stead.
After the wedding is over Melos hurries back to the city. Along the way he encounters many tribulations, such as a broken bridge due to the overflowing of the river and attacks by bandits. All of these things exhaust him, and he nearly gives up, but then continues to run for his friend's life's sake.
At sundown Melos finally arrives at the city, just in time to save his friend Selinuntius. He apologizes to Selinuntius for his treachery, and Selinuntius apologizes for ever doubting him. The King is moved by the display and decides to let Melos go with impunity.

Rereading the lyrics with the story in mind, the meaning becomes clearer. "Melos no michi" talks about a person who, just like Melos, has to run to fulfill a most important promise s/he made with someone.
But the last word of the second chorus twists it to reveal that the person "Melos" is running for is actually himself. So, beyond being a song about friendship, "Melos no michi" also conveys the idea of running for one's dream, without giving up or betraying oneself.

Himawari-gumi - "Mori e ikou"

And lastly, the song that ranked 3rd in the poll: Himawari-gumi's beautiful "Mori e ikou".
Sorry for the wait! I have been out of town for a few days, and this is not a song to review in a hurry. I have so many things to say about it...

I'll do a single next, and then some more random songs from those shortlisted in the poll.


"Mori e ikou" (Let's go to the forest)
(from Himawari-gumi 2nd stage "Yume wo shinaseru wake ni ikanai")
Himawari-gumi

words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Shusui, Stefan Aberg
point of view: third person
theme: allegory/story
original lyrics


listen to Mori e ikou on youtube

The adults always used to say
"You must not play in the forest"
Without even being told the reason,
The children were scared of the forest

It was a distant world
Enclosed among the thick trees
Where you can't even see the path

Someone shouted
"Even in that place there surely is some light..."
Just like there is hope in every sadness
The sun in the sky won't forsake it

But the adults frowned
They whispered to each other
"If we go to the forest we won't be able to come back"
And turned their back on the forest

What kind of magical creatures live there?

Someone pointed their finger
"If there's shadow there absolutely must be light..."
Just like tomorrow comes even for the deepest despair
The wind lets the sun filter through the trees to show us

"The light is overflowing in this world"
Even if the long Winter nights are pitch black
If you look up at the sky
You will see the stars

Let's softly close our eyes and remember
There is a divine light that reaches our hearts
Let's go to the forest

Someone shouted
"Even in that place there surely is some light..."
Just like there is hope in every sadness
The sun in the sky won't forsake it
"The light is overflowing in this world"
Even if the long Winter nights are pitch black
If you look up at the sky
You will see the stars

Comment
"Mori e ikou" is one of the best conceived AKB48 songs. The atmosphere is created by the perfect joining of lyrics, music, stage setting, even outfits.
Just like a fairytale, this tale is an allegory. Adults keep the children away from the wood, a mysterious and unknown place, because they are scared of the darkness that is inside of it. However, someone suddenly shouts the obvious truth: if there is darkness, there must be light. The sun must filter through the thick trees. There is no need to be afraid of the wood. But the adults frown and walk away, leaving the children with their doubts ("What kind of magical creatures live there?"). Yet, the children decide to start their journey through the wood
What this allegoric tales refers to is clear, but it does not mean it is weak. The wood represents one's fears and pain, the dark side. The "adults" do not want to face them for fear of suffering, and they especially want to shelter their children from pain, fear and despair they might encounter when facing the wood.
Nonetheless, the "children", those who mantain an innocent, naive and sometimes even reckless attitude to life, are curious and are somehow attracted to the wood. They see it for what it is, as shown in "someone"'s words: a dark place, yes, but a place that must be crossed in order to see the real light. Without making one's way through the wood, that is to say through pain and the facing of one's fears, one cannot grow up.

Many people have speculated how "Beginner" touched upon this theme (children who are too sheltered from pain), especially in the second verse. It might be true but while "Beginner" revolved around a different central theme ("finding the meaning of living through pain"), "Mori e ikou" focuses primarily on it, and is a deep, painful metaphor of growing up.