This time I'm thinking of doing something rather differently, which is to make the singer profile. So the first singer/group band that I'm going to do is SMAP. SMAP stands for Sports Music Assemble People if you're wondering.
SMAP is one of the legendary Japanese boy band that started since 1988 and still exist until now! SMAP was formed by Johnny & Associate, which is famous for producing many other successful boy band. KATTUN and Arashi are the other successful group band formed by Johnny.
Currently, SMAP has 5 members: Nakai Masahiro (leader), Kimura Takuya, Inagaki Goro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, and Katori Shingo. Other than doing full time band, some SMAP members are also actively involved in other entertainment industry. Kimura Takuya for example, also act in Beautiful Life series (one of the highest rating series).
During 20 over years of existence, SMAP has produced some of the best selling song. Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana was the number 9 best selling song in Japan! Other single such as Yozora no Mukou is also mentioned in some Japanese textbook.
Overall, SMAP has launched 21 albums and won fourteen Japan Gold Disc Award.
For some people, this piece might sound familiar. If you can't recall it, let me give you a hint. It is one of the soundtrack of Kill Bill. But what a lot people doesn't know is that this piece is composed by Japanese composer called Hotei Tomoyasu (布袋 寅泰 ).
Hotei Tomoyasu is one of very few Japanese who actually become well known worldwide. Last I know is that he lives in England, and has quite a strong fans base there. The link I post here is his performance life. It is quite an enjoyable life show, eventhough it is just instrumental. No lyric at all!
Another song from SMAP. This time is a song called STAY. I'm not really sure why this song is not really popular, but I like it very much. Without further ado, enjoy..
This time round, let us go back in time to the 1999 era. A relatively new Japanese idol group, Morning Musume (モーニング娘。), had made a record breaking hits by selling more than a million copies. Their 7th single, Love Machine, was sold for over 1,760,000 copies and still remain as their best selling single until now. This single also mark the debut of their then well-known Goto Maki. With typical Morning Musume dance-remix rhythm, this song might sound a bit old fashioned if you listened it 15 years after it is being launched. Nevertheless, it is still an enjoyable piece of music. Enjoy..
Another hits from year 2003. Coming from the legendary boy band SMAP, with the title Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana (世界に一つだけの花) or "The One and Only Flower in the World" in English. With total number of sales reaching 2.5 million coppies, it is number 9 best selling song in Japan of all time according to Oricon. Of course it reached the top of the ladder without nothing. Just listen to it and you will know why. I've attached live version of the song with violin as background instrumental, giving unique touch to the song.
Going back to year 1995, this song was one of the hit back then. The direct translation of the title (Zurui Onna) meant cunning woman. Originally sang by SHARAN-Q, the version below is sang by Coconut Musume (ココナッツ娘), which is a group band formed by SHARAN-Q leader, Tsunku (つんく).
Coconut Musume, just like Morning Musume, is an idol girl band under Hello Project which the member mainly come from Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii! That's why it is called Coconut haha!
And Musume (娘) basically meant daughter. What a creative name..
This time round, it would be one of the masterpiece from T-BOLAN, which is extremely famous in 90s. This particular song was released quite early in the group and bring T-BOLAN to fame. I attached the live version as I found this version is better than recorded one. Enjoy!
Lyrics:
今 オマエをこの腕に 抱きたくて せつないよ
Ima omae wo kono ude ni dakitakute oh, setsunai yo
Now I want to embrace you so much it hurts
会いたい気持(とき)が どれ程つらいかと 問いかけてた Aitai toki mo dore hodo tsurai ka to toikaketeta
I ask how painful it is to miss someone
ひとりきりの夜ならば 今すぐに 会いに行くよ Hitorikiri no yoru naraba imasugu ni Oh, ai
ni iku yo oh... On a night when I’m
alone, I want go to see you right away
遠ざかる二人の距離 追いかけて 慰めてた
toozakaru futari no kyori oikakete
nagusameteta
I was comforted to chase after the great distance
between us
諦めるよりも 信じることに
akirameru yori mo
shinjiru koto ni
Rather than giving up, I want to keep holding on
賭けてみる思いを 抱きしめていたい
kakete miru omoi wo dakishimete itai
to the thought of taking a risk on believing
こんなに Everyday Everynight
konna ni Everyday
Everynight
So I've decided to start opening a blog to post list of my favorite good Japanese song. The songs could be new, old, classical, or even by Japanese 'idol' group. Hope I can share part of the beauty of Japanese culture :)
The first song I'm going to post is one of the best Japanese mega hit, Tsunami by Southern All Stars (サザンオールスターズ). Released in 2000, it has soldover 2.9 million copies in Japan alone, making it one of the best selling song in Japan.
Dominated by Kuwata Keisuke' deep and unique voice, this is a simple yet enjoyable song. Enjoy!
Lyric:
風に戸惑う弱気な僕
kaze ni tomadou yowaki na boku I am timid, and lost in the wind
通りすがるあの日の幻影
toori sugaru ano hi no kage
The shadow of that day passes me by
本当は見た目以上
hontou wa mitame ijou The truth is, I have a past of easily crying
涙もろい過去がある
namida moroi kako ga aru
More than it would appear
止めど流る清か水よ tomedo nagaru sayaka mizu yo Fresh water, flowing without stopping
消せど燃ゆる魔性の火よ
kesedo moyuru mashou no hi yo A devilish fire that burns without disappearing
あんなに好きな女性に
anna ni suki na hito ni There won't be a summer again
出逢う夏は二度とない
deau natsu wa nido to nai
Where I'll meet a girl that I love that much
人は誰も愛求めて 闇に彷徨う運命
hito wa dare mo ai motomete yami ni samayou sadame Everyone searches for love, destined to wander in
the darkness
そして風まかせ Oh, My destiny
soshite kaze makase oh, my destiny So I trust myself to the wind, oh, my destiny
涙枯れるまで
namida kareru made
Until my tears dry up
見つめ合うと素直にお喋り出来ない mitsume au to sunao ni oshaberi dekinai When we gaze at one another, I can't talk to you
naturally
津波のような侘しさに
tsunami no you na wabishi sa ni Loneliness like a tidal wave
I know 怯えてる Hoo
i know...obieteru hoo I know...I'm afraid of it, hoo
めぐり逢えた瞬間から魔法が解けない
meguri aeta toki kara mahou ga tokenai From the time we met, the magic hasn't gone away
鏡のような夢の中で
kagami no you na yume no naka de In a dream like a mirror
思い出はいつの日も雨
omoide wa itsu no hi mo ame
My memories are rain everyday
夢が終わり目醒める時 yume ga owari mezameru toki When the dream is over, and I wake up
深い闇に夜明けが来る
fukai yami ni yoake ga kuru The dawn comes in the thick darkness
本当は見た目以上
hontou wa mitame ijou The truth is, I'm more tough
打たれ強い僕がいる
utare tsuyoi boku ga iru
Than I would appear
泣き出しそうな空眺めて 波に漂うカモメ naki dashi sou na sora nagamete nami ni tadayou
kamome Gazing at the sky that seems about start crying,
seagulls float above the waves
きっと世は情け Oh, Sweet memory
kitto yo wa nasayake oh, sweet memory This world is certainly pathetic, oh, sweet memory
旅立ちを胸に
tabidachi wo mune ni
Journeys in my heart
人は涙見せずに大人になれない hito wa namida miezu ni otona ni narenai A person can't grow up without showing his tears
ガラスのような恋だとは
garasu no you na koi da to wa A love like glass
I knowï気付いてる Hoo
I know...kizuiteru hoo I know...I notice it, hoo
身も心も愛しい女性しか見えない
karada mo kokoro mo itoshii hito shika mienai My body and heart can only see the girl that I love
張り裂けそうな胸の奥で
harisake sou na mune no oku de Inside my heart that seems about to break
悲しみに耐えるのは何故？
kanashimi ni taeru no wa naze?
How do I endure this sadness?
見つめ合うと素直にお喋り出来ない
mitsume au to sunao ni oshaberi dekinai When we gaze at one another, I can't talk to you
naturally
津波のような侘しさに
tsunami no you na wabishi sa ni Loneliness like a tidal wave
I know 怯えてる Hoo
i know...obieteru hoo I know...I'm afraid of it, hoo
めぐり逢えた瞬間から死ぬまで好きと言って
meguri aeta toki kara shinu made suki to itte From the time we meet, until I die, say that you
love me
鏡のような夢の中で
kagami you na yume no naka de In a dream like a mirror
微笑をくれたのは誰？
hohoemi wo kureta no wa dare?
Who is it that smiled at me?
好きなのに泣いたのは何故？ suki na no ni naita no wa naze? Why do I cry, even though I love you?
