[Utada Hikaru] Midsummer Rain Shower ♪٩(✿′ᗜ‵✿)۶♪ the 53rd thread

[mizuki-7]

Oh I'm really surprised by all the comments saying she will not sell more than 100 K lol I'm not a fan FAN but I assume she keept a sizable fanbase in Japan ! We will see but if even her is not able to sell more than 100 K it will tell alot about the state of songwriters in Japan at the same time from 2010 to 2016 the new generation grewn up and maybe they don't even remember who she is ? considering she was already pretty inactive after 2008 in Japan ?

[Minttulatte]

I'm pretty sure Godtada will sell more than 100K. :'D

As for the new songs, I still haven't listened to the previews or the full versions (are they even out in full yet? I don't remember when the release date was) but I'm still very excited over this comeback. It's great she did this. Just in time for my 10th anniversary as a fan. XD

[bluegie]

I think EMI Japan has been under Universal since 2013.

Just 2.5 more days!!! Can't wait to listen to the full version of Hanataba wo Kimi ni .

[PURIN]

2 more days!!!

[tenshi no hane]

The songs are available on (Japanese) iTunes.

Just bought them. Both songs are definitely about her mother, lyrics-wise.

真夏の通り雨 is so sad. I love the ending. Reading it along with the lyrics almost made me cry. It's clear she's torn between mourning her mother and being happy with her new family.

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

The songs are available on (Japanese) iTunes.

Just bought them. Both songs are definitely about her mother, lyrics-wise.

真夏の通り雨 is so sad. I love the ending. Reading it along with the lyrics almost made me cry. It's clear she's torn between mourning her mother and being happy with her new family.

Manatsu is definitely about her mother. It's just what I'd expect of Utada singing about it. I am a little surprised she did this so quickly. But I am SOOOO HAPPY Manatsu reflects the style of Dareka.

The lyrics actually turned out much more provoking than I anticipated. Anyone else not expecting the sudden twist at the end, with her singing that the memories suddenly overflow and the midsummer rain will not stop? And the line about continuing to look tomorrow for a future where the person still exists?

Utada's definitely got her touch still. I don't even know how to properly express the impressiveness of this. I certainly would not expect something so strong from someone who hasn't written more than one song in 6 years.

[bluegie]

It's currently no. 1 and 2 on iTunes now . I hope iTunes Canada will have the songs too . I wanna support hikki!!

[freedreamer]

Manatsu is soooo depressing >< but very Hikki and beautiful. Love it loads! Best song for quiet nights

[bluegie]

is the iTunes file something wrong in Hanataba? Around 0:34 - 0:35 (before the second Itoshi hito).

Hanataba is for sunshine morning, while Manatsu is for a rainy afternoon or night.

[bluegie]

Yeah Manatsu lyrics is very powerful. I'm glad she simply used piano and some strings to accompany the lyrics.

I can't find Hanataba lyrics now so I dun really know what the full song is about.

[tenshi no hane]

Are you guys reading the onehallyu translation? 'Cause it has mistakes.

I also made my own, if anyone is interested. Ayu and Hikki's lyrics are always the most interesting to translate. They write proper sentences.

真夏の通り雨 translation:

Spoiler:

I wake from the middle of a dream
and close my eyes again, but I can’t slip back into it
The world that looked so vivid a moment ago, is now an illusion

I was sweaty but you softly pulled me close
and etched many first-times into me

How much longer until I no longer feel sad
when I reach my hand out to the rustling green leaves
and I remember you?
I want you to tell me

I’m not alone today
I guess I’m pretty happy
So, I tell myself that it’s enough this way

But I would stop being myself
if I’d forget the days when, out of breath from the unwinnable fight,
I was consumed with love for you
Tell me, what’s the right way to say goodbye to someone?

When I reach my hand out to someone
and I remember you
I’m flooded with things
that I want to tell you now

Trees sprout, days pass
I want to express my unchanged feelings
We have the freedom to become free
They stand still, the shadows of those who’ve come to say goodbye

Memories roughly grab hold of me suddenly
and don’t let go
I love you, even more deeply than before
Endless midsummer rain shower

I wake from the middle of a dream
and close my eyes again, but I can’t slip back into it
The future you were in until a moment ago
Visit, tomorrow

To the never-ending, never-ending rain
an incurable, incurable thirst

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

Are you guys reading the onehallyu translation? 'Cause it has mistakes.

I also made my own, if anyone is interested. Ayu and Hikki's lyrics are always the most interesting to translate. They write proper sentences.

真夏の通り雨 translation:

Spoiler:

I wake from the middle of a dream
and close my eyes again, but I can’t slip back into it
The world that looked so vivid a moment ago, is now an illusion

I was sweaty but you softly pulled me close
and etched many first-times into me

How much longer until I no longer feel sad
when I reach my hand out to the rustling green leaves
and I remember you?
I want you to tell me

I’m not alone today
I guess I’m pretty happy
So, I tell myself that it’s enough this way

But I would stop being myself
if I’d forget the days when, out of breath from the unwinnable fight,
I was consumed with love for you
Tell me, what’s the right way to say goodbye to someone?

When I reach my hand out to someone
and I remember you
I’m flooded with things
that I want to tell you now

Trees sprout, days pass
I want to express my unchanged feelings
We have the freedom to become free
They stand still, the shadows of those who’ve come to say goodbye

Memories roughly grab hold of me suddenly
and don’t let go
I love you, even more deeply than before
Endless midsummer rain shower

I wake from the middle of a dream
and close my eyes again, but I can’t slip back into it
The future you were in until a moment ago
Visit, tomorrow

To the never-ending, never-ending rain
an incurable, incurable thirst

Thank you for the translation. These lyrics are just amazing. They bring back some raw feelings about a death in my own family, so just reading the translation without hearing the song reduced me to a sobbing mess (and re-reading just now did it again). The way she puts the loss and grief into words is just... wow. (And you obviously translated it really well, tenshi no hane, thank you so much!)

That said, I actually prefer Hanataba out of these two songs. It's certainly the more conventional song, but I like that it's catchier, and Hikki's voice is just such a delight, she's pouring so much warmth and sweetness into this song. Manatsu leaves me wishing there was a little something more in the song, but I'm not sure what exactly I'm missing (Some breathing room between the stanzas? Some more emotion in Hikki's vocals? Something more in the arrangement?). The ending is my favourite part of the song, so haunting. The arrangements in both songs are great.

[bluegie]

Would you mind translating Hanataba as well? Thanks

[tenshi no hane]

^ Sure~

花束を君に translation:

Spoiler:

The morning when you were wearing light makeup
although you normally never do
you made an unforgettable promise
in the interval between beginning and end

I’ll give you a flower bouquet
My dear, my dear
No matter what words I’d use
they wouldn’t reflect the truth
That’s why I’ll give you a tears-coloured bouquet today

If there had been only fun things
and no hidden daily hardships and loneliness
things could’ve ended without me knowing love

I’ll give you a flower bouquet
Things to say, things to say
there’s probably an endless pile of them
but the gods are the only ones who will know them
I’ll give you a tears-coloured bouquet today

You gave me more dazzling sights
than I could possibly hold in my hands, thank you

On days when the whole world was raining
your smile was my sun
Even if I don’t say it now
it’ll remain true
Hug me, just once, before we say goodbye

I’ll give you a flower bouquet
My dear, my dear
No matter what words I’d use
they couldn’t possibly live up to you
That’s why I’ll give you a tears-coloured bouquet today

[Maemi]

Thanks tenshi!!

The MV is out: http://www.jpopasia.com/celebrity/hi...me::57432.html

[visionfactory]

Originally Posted by Maemi

Thanks tenshi!!

The MV is out: http://www.jpopasia.com/celebrity/hi...me::57432.html

Zzzzz.... why is she not singing about the Tippy Toe Tippy Toe

[bluegie]

^^San you .

I think Hanatabta's file was corrupted when Universal sent the songs to every site (iTunes, recochoku, mora). I heard the same corrputed "i"toshi hito in every preview.

[Minttulatte]

Thanks for the translations, tenshi. I have always loved Hikki's lyrics the most out of all J-Pop artists I listen to.

I gotta watch the PV when I'm on my computer. My ipad's browser crashes the moment I try to watch it so I shall wait until I'm able to use my laptop again.

[thinkingoutloud89]

both PVs don't have her in

[Zahara]

Wow, those lyrics are so sad but beautiful. I'm glad she's able to express herself though.