Anyone else watch NHK’s annual Kouhaku Utagassen this New Years?

It was certainly a mixed bag. They trotted out the same decrepit Enka acts whose performances seem each successive year to be less about the songs than the garish costume oneupsmanship. But if anything the show belonged to Ohashi Nozomi who is just about the most angelic child performer I’ve ever seen. She opened the show and it was a smart choice. Also smart? Bringing on Nakama Yukie for hostess duties, although neutered of her usual character humor, she was competent and easy on the eyes. Her co-host Nakai-kun was also a cool choice because he spent most of his time ragging on the fly-by-night acts of the evening, suggesting in his dry manner that their fifteen minutes was up. Speaking of which…. the humor was painful. It’s hard to jump in when you haven’t lived with the trends for a year but, even still… this year seemed even more lowest common denominator than usual. Does Japanese comedy not evolve anymore? Is it just catchphrase after catchphrase combined with some kind of ridiculous furitsuke? I can’t choose the worst offender but the Gentlemen, or The Trannies (not the acts real names) were both unwatchable even in their limited roles. Again, thank you Nakai-kun. Now if only I could get you to stop singing.

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Mr. Children - Rock n’ Roll

lost in fantasy,
a day goes by
I wonder where I’d be if I had chosen a different life…?
I’d live free of restraints, free of rules
blown by a roaming wind
I’d go against the flow

it’s the very picture of rock n’ roll
drowning to death in women and booze
I know, I know
it’s not my nature, I’m not equipped for it
I know, I know
but I can’t help yearning for a life like that.

I’ll stay unmarried, in love with my loneliness
I won’t consider the consequences
they’ll call me a fool.

in order for rock stars to make a living
they have to play up this “free of restraint” image
I know, I know
that no matter what you do it’s never easy
I know, I know
but my heart is searching for freedom and stimulation

wallowing in the sounds of Rock n’ Roll
again today, I turn up the volume
I know, I know
this life I live is the one best suited to me
I know, I know
people need others to survive.

I LOVE YOU

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Tokyo

this is a city of buildings like robots,
emblematic of Tokyo.
Each new day, crawling with workers
who give it their all, who do the best they can.
waiting for the light to change. I stop, someone’s whistling
the melody is all broken up
but for some reason it soothes me a little.

scenery so full of memories,
will be destroyed again, so I’m trying my best not to cling to them
yet, this smell reminds me
and records it in my genetic code
there are places I hold dear in this city
there are people I hold dear in this city

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

When I listened to this without paying attention what was said, I thought it was a sappy love song. I didn’t realize it was a heartbreaker.

Mr. Children - Suijyou Bus (Water Taxi)

on my brand new bike,
I pedal myself out of breath, heading towards the pier
the wind I breathe in large gasps
smells a little like oil
floating along that massive river.

You spy me from inside the water taxi
and from amidst the tourists you wave to me with a smile
in order to turn back the clock on such serene scenes
I pedal my bike alone
along the river’s edge.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Kuchi ga Subette (I Said Something I Shouldn’t Have)

I said something I shouldn’t have, and made you angry
but I wasn’t wrong, so I didn’t want to apologize.
I know. It’s a bad part of me.
It’s one of my faults.

“I have things I’m unwilling to give up too”
I lock them up, even though no one’s coming to take them.
I know. It’s really that I’m weak
and that I refuse to admit that.

you can’t get things to go as planned
so I’ll raise your spirits by humoring and flattering you
by saying what you want to hear.
It grieves another side of me to see me so
because “kindness” isn’t the only thing that’s been fostered…

the battle rages on, the blood runs
the papers report on the disputes between nations
I know. It’s not something so simple
it can be handled with “that’s tough.”

everyone has things which are important to them
each with our own perspective, our own happiness and our own way of living
they say to “think about how another person would feel”
but the heart is way beyond our understanding.

a shooting star vanishes, in a blink it’s gone
if I have the chance again,
next time I going to use my wish
for someone other than myself.

I said something I shouldn’t have, and made you angry
but before you know it, we’re back to smiling again
we knew it,
that we were born with the power to forgive one another.
for now let’s leave it at that
that’s the good part of humanity.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Shuumatsu no Confidence Song (Confidence Song for The End)

*a work in progress perhaps? Unsure of some of the subjects in the sentences.

It didn’t have the impact that garners critical acclaim,
but you know, it was a good movie anyway.
You cried a little there didn’t you? I noticed,
’cause I did too.

gossip is strewn all over the city
we all ignite it, for the fun of it
in exposing these inferior fools for what they are
we get some relief.

this air of annoyance is stepping on the cuff of my pants
I’m sure there’s a way to escape from the danger that lies ahead
if only I were to stop but…
Oh No!
The flame!
Let the pale blue flame in your eyes
light the murky path before you
the road continues on.

with a click, a drag and a rock n’ roll
we can get anything want
from those things we can’t live without, to those we can
so, we’ll cross without paying attention
and move forward arrogantly
over civilization’s grace.

sometimes I dream an ominous dream
I’m running but I’m getting nowhere.
maybe the dream is a metaphor
for something that’s going on in my real life?
Oh No!
it’s going faster than I ever imagined
Are you ready to face the enemy,
that’s rapidly closing in?
not unlike Don Quixote.

I can’t plant my feet here, when I feel like I’m walking on clouds.
How long can you really hold on? On this earth.
Nowhere !?
This air of annoyance is kicking at the heel of your high heels.
I’m sure there’s a way to escape from the danger that lies ahead
if only you could turn back but…
Oh No!
The flame!
Let the pale blue flame in your eyes
light that precarious path before you
the road continues on
Yes, it will continue. 

The critics aren’t wrong but,
if you can figure out what’s happening
right before our eyes
without trying to see the bright or dark side
then raise those eyes
that look down at your feet
with pride!

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Kaze to Hoshi to Moebius no Wa (The Wind, The Stars and The Moebius Ring)

in each other’s embrace, polished to a shine
finding our sparkle, and back to embrace again
I wish you and I, could walk along that moebius ring.

the quick passage of time, the burden of life
to affirm these, it’s easy, one step at a time
and when we tire of it, why not let our hearts swim the blue sky
and listen to the song of the wind.
let’s have a listen.

the quick passage of time, the burden of life
to affirm these
the weakness of man, the fragility of the heart
to shelter one another, again, one step and a time
if we get lost in the darkness
we’ll rely on the stars twinkling in our hearts
and continue onward.

in loving one another, we were able to soften
and it was that kindness, that made us love one another
I wish you and I could walk close together,
along that moebius ring, smiling all the while.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Hitsuji, Hoeru. (Sheep, Barks)

There’s been no change in our status,
we’re still about 49% good versus 51% bad.
I don’t get much in the way of expectations anymore
every now and again if I can meet someone who praises me,
that’s good enough.

I wonder what a dog thinks when it sees itself in the mirror wearing clothes?
for the past two or three days, these are the kind of things I think about.

I’m of no blood relation to the wolf
so instead I bark like a sheep
I pretend not to notice when you laugh and call me “silly.”

our faith was about 50/50
but one day only my love was growing

there’s no power in these entwined fingers
even though I see this,
I haven’t the strength to undo them, so I keep on.

they say if you’re struck, turn the other cheek.
how wonderful it would be if we could have the good grace to live so.
I slip through a door that someone else opened
just before it shuts.
as I scratch my head at this repulsive habit
and worry a bit.

they say if you’re struck, turn the other cheek.
how wonderful it would be if we could have the good grace to live so.
I’m of no blood relation to the wolf
so instead I bark like a sheep
I pretend not to notice when you laugh and call me “silly.”
as I worry a bit
and love deeply.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

From Supermarket Fantasy.

Mr. Children - Koe

There were no words
There wasn’t even a melody
And to hell with the rhythm
It rose in my throat.
there was uncertainty.
And I was on the verge of screaming my head off.

all over town
spilling from the speakers
but I’m looking for a song that is just right for you.

(Yeah)

I used to hate them
It was just too embarrassing
but I wanted someone to like me
I couldn’t sing in falsetto
I was bad at harmonizing
but still I wanted to sing three notes lower

sometimes it hurts
sometimes it’s pleasing
I want to nestle up close to the music you make

(Yeah)

There were no words
There wasn’t even a melody
And to hell with the rhythm
It was locked in my heart
There was uncertainty
I needed to see you madly

It doesn’t really matter if it sounds good
it doesn’t matter if your voice gives out
someone is waiting for your voice, ready to accept it.

Translated by: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Mr. Children - Shounen (Boy)

I crept quietly to your door
when I leaned in to listen to the voices leaking from inside
I figured it best to knock softly so as not to startle you
hey, I know you’re in there.
would it be alright if I came in?
I’m reaching out to enter into your inner world.

the shape of you is burned upon my heart, left there like a suntan
even when the sunflowers wilt, the glow can’t be removed, it remains.
inside my eyes when I hold you, the pulse of my heart assails me
it seems it will still take some time
to soothe, to quell this.

I want to depict you as realistically as possible
you think you could give me the time it will take?
I’ll draw you more beautifully than even the great painters could
you don’t have to sit still
you don’t need to smile
just be yourself and look towards me

the moment I get a hold of “happiness,” it always goes out of focus
so in the moments just before, I’ll take a good hard look
though, I wonder if that’s even possible?
with an unguarded smile the boy inside me
races on his bicycle rushing to see you
lay bare your selfishness and neediness to me
cause I will accept it all.

I’m reaching out to enter your inner world

the shape of you is burned upon my heart, left there like a suntan
even should the cicadas die off, the glow can’t be removed, it remains.
all sweaty, the boy inside me, races on his bicycle rushing to see you.
unload all your worries and sadness on me
cause I will accept it all.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma