No matter how many times the seasons rotate their colours
This love will remain, like a swaying, unwilting flower
Thinking of you
奏で合う言葉は心地よい旋律
君が傍に居るだけでいい
微笑んだ瞳を失さない為なら
たとえ星の瞬きが見えない夜も
Our words harmonise as a soothing melody
It’s enough that you’re by my side
To make sure you never lose the smile in your eyes
Not even in the darkest of nights where we can’t see the stars twinkle
降り注ぐ木漏れ日のように君を包む
それは僕の強く変わらぬ誓い
夢なら夢のままでかまわない
愛する輝きに溢れ明日へ向かう喜びは真実だから
The love to you is alive in me, every day
For love You are aside of me, every day
I’ll embrace you, like dappled sunlight streaming down
This is my strong, unchanging vow
If this is a dream, then I don’t care if I remain in dreams
For the joy we feel as we face the future, overflowing in the brilliance of our love
Is real
The love for you is alive in me, every day
For, Love, you are a side of me, every day
残された悲しい記憶さえそっと
君はやわらげてくれるよ
はしゃぐように懐いた柔らかな風に吹かれて
なびく鮮やかな君が僕を奪う
You gently soothe my painful memories
As the soft wind blew like a playful embrace
You radiantly fluttered and swept me away
季節は色を変えて幾度巡ろうとも
この気持ちは枯れない花のように
夢なら夢のままでかまわない
愛する輝きに溢れ胸を染めるいつまでも君を想い
The love to you is alive in me, every day
For love You are aside of me, every day
No matter how many times the seasons rotate their colours
This love will remain, like an unwilting flower
If this is a dream, then I don’t care if I remain in dreams
My heart is coloured by the overflowing brilliance of our love
Forever thinking of you
The love for you is alive in me, every day
For, Love, you are a side of me, every day
---
notes:
Jojoushi is def in my top 5 laruku songs; it's their best ballad, in my opinion. That live in Okinawa where it features as the closing ballad still makes me cry inside.
I'm still not sure about the part about fluttering and being swept away... in fact i'm really unhappy about it and may change it soon (hides under table)
the title is often translated as 'lyrical poetry' but i mean.. they're lyrics, duh, and lyrics are poems? so isn't the word 'lyrical' kinda redundant? I think it's more literally a 'poem that describes feelings', which maybe makes it an ode.. but I didn't study literature so maybe someone more knowledgeable can help.
nevertheless, i'd like to say that i love hyde's use of contrasting imagery --the seasons change but this love never wilts; i want to remain in dreams because this joy is real. it's a trick he often employs but i'm impressed every time.
Indeed, you say the same things, even in my dreams
What’s the real you doing right now
On the other side of my window?
遠い日の昨日に
空っぽの鳥かごを持って
歩いてた僕はきっと君を探してたんだね
The me who walked around with an empty birdcage
In a distant yesterday
Must’ve been in search of you
彩やかな風に誘われても
夢中で君を追いかけているよ
空は 今にも 今にも振りそそぐような
青さで見上げた僕を包んだ
Even if the vivid wind invites me
I’ll keep chasing you in dreams
Even now, even now, as I look up at the sky
It’s enveloping me in blue like it’s pouring rain
いくつもの種を
あの丘へ浮かべて
きれいな花を敷きつめてあげる
早く見つけて見つけて
ここにいるから
起こされるのを待ってるのに
I’ll scatter countless seeds upon that hill
Covering it in beautiful flowers for you
Hurry, find me, find me,
For I’m right here
Waiting for you to wake me
いつでも君の笑顔に揺れて
太陽のように強く咲いていたい
胸が痛くて痛くて壊れそうだから
かなわぬ想いなら せめて枯れたい
I want to keep wavering in your smile
Blooming strongly like the sun
My heart hurts, it hurts
It feels like it’ll break so
If these dreams can’t come true
I hope they’d at least wither
--
notes:
like many fans, flower is my favourite karaoke song. I think it's because the phrases that repeat for emphasis, like 'tsugi no, tsugi no asa made mo', 'mune ga itakute, itakute', and 'hayaku mitsukete, mitsukete' feel so good to sing.
also 'yurete' (wave, waver?) seems to be hyde's favourite verb to associate flowers with 🤔 i think i've previously encountered it in Pieces and Niji. It makes me think of the the time he told the story of the worst road trip ever, where he chanced upon a meadow so beautiful it seemed unreal.
i feel bad that i linked a video without all the members, but i like flower better as a ballad...
HYDE on Weibo: Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing everyone good health this year of the Tiger, may all your wishes come true!
Top fan reply: Please take care of your health too! Don't go making cameos in J-dramas, your acting is already peerless, you don't need to prove yourself, they should give you an Oscar! It's too dangerous out there! Stay home stay safe 🥺🥺🥺
Ken’s message for the Architectural Institute of Japan Tokai Competition
Hello everyone from the AIJ, it’s ken of L’Arc-en-Ciel. I studied Architecture at the Nagoya Institute of Technology 30 years ago. I did drafting but wasn’t very good at it, the edges of my models wouldn’t line up, and the bonding on my windows was messy. While making them I thought, ‘What am I gonna do??’ I’m sure you guys will do a better job and create cool, perfect models!
For my reinforced concrete construction class I tried to morph structures in my head to figure out the shear stress and bending moment, like how things would shear and which parts would bend. There were so many things I didn’t get so I asked lots of questions after class. That helped me see things from many perspectives!
In my fourth year I entered Ichinose-sensei’s research lab. I asked him so many questions about the things I was curious about. In the midst of that, just as I was about to go job-hunting, I was invited to join L’Arc-en-Ciel, and I decided to accept after thinking about it for a week or so.
I told Ichinose-sensei about it and he gave me lots of advice.
L’Arc-en-Ciel have turned 30. To all of you at the 135-year-old AIJ , I wish you all the best for your endeavours!
--
notes
And Ichinose-sensei was like, 'Ken, I wanted to recommend you for the graduate school programme! I curse your band!' 😂
I personally think this song is about what you might say to your significant other if you want them to elope with you. On a road trip in a convertible!
The beautiful moon, flickering on the water’s surface
Softly illuminates my tired skin, worn out by swimming
こぼれてゆく吐息はガラス玉
たくさんの光り集め舞い上がってく
Words into the silence
月はそっと波を揺らすけれど
My sighs spill out as spheres of glass
Concentrating vast amounts of light, spiralling upwards
Words into the silence
The moon gently rocks the waves but
とめどなく流れ出した
記憶は胸をしめつけて
あのやさしさもあのときめきも持ってくよ
時に抱かれて into the silence
...もう僕はこれ以上泳げないから
The memories flow relentlessly
Squeezing my chest
I carry those moments of kindness, the instances where my heart fluttered
And am embraced by time into the silence
... for I can’t swim anymore
今また凍った雫の波紋が指先まで広がり...
Now the ripples of frozen droplets have spread to my fingertips...
あ、少しずつ途絶えてく
真っ白な時に魅せられて
あの歌さえもう思い出せない
あ、このまま僕は消えてしまいそう
Into the silence
Ah, they’re stopping a little
Mesmerised by that blinding white moment
I can’t even remember that song anymore
Ah, just like this, it feels like I’ll disappear
Into the silence
水面に揺らめくキレイな月が
泳ぎ疲れた肌をそっと照らし...
The beautiful moon, flickering on the water’s surface
Softly illuminates my tired skin, worn out by swimming...
--
Notes
Isn't it amazing how the lines in English fit so seamlessly in the translations? Also, hyde, your poetry is exquisite but I feel so sad reading this. The penultimate stanza is especially upsetting-- the narrator's body is turning cold, the torrent of memories is fading, he see a bright, white light... someone please fish him out of the water and give him CPR :(
HYDE's MCs from 20th Orchestra Tour HYDE ROENTGEN 2021, 14 Aug, PACIFICO Yokohama
Streamed on 17LIVE on 14 Aug 2021, Archived 30 Aug-3 Sep 2021
After SHALLOW SLEEP
Welcome to ROENTGEN. Today we'll perform all 10 songs from ROENTGEN, which was released 20 years ago, in order, with some detours along the way. Please enjoy it.
It's a pity we can't hear your voices today, but I hope you can savour the music. And to those joining via livestream, hope you can listen while enjoying a drink.
Well then, let's continue with the next three songs from ROENTGEN, starting with the first single, EVERGREEN.
After A DROP OF COLOUR
Relax, okay? Relax and enjoy yourselves. (laughs) Please relax!
When I made this album 20 years ago I did everything myself and ended up really exhausted. Mentally and spiritually drained. In interviews after its release I'd gloss over the question, saying 'I'm not gonna make anything for a while, maybe for the next 5, 10, 15, years.'
And now in this era where we can't hold normal concerts, I pulled myself together to start work on ROENTGEN 2. Now I'd like to let you listen to two new songs. The first, SMILING, has lyrics that are a bit sad, but the song turned out rather cute. Then the other is called THE ABYSS, being at the bottom of an abyss, which has a heavy feel. They both turned out pretty good, so I'd like for you to hear them.
Well then, SMILING.
After THE ABYSS
Are you enjoying yourselves? It's the 20th anniversary of my solo career. So many things have happened these past 20 years. It feels like an instant, but when I stop to think about these things individually, it's been really eventful. And bit by bit, time will quicken its pace, I feel. So I think I have no choice but to prioritise the things I want to do.
During this long period of time I've had the chance to work on some wonderful projects. Next, I'd like to sing two collaborative works. The first, which I've already been singing as though it were my own song, is DEPARTURES by globe. Followed by Red Swan, a collaboration with dear Yoshiki. Please listen to them.
After Red Swan
We've arrived in Yokohama. (applause) I visit Yokohama on occasion but only just realised that they have this beautiful concert hall. Erm, during the MC the door was kept open for ventilation. Isn't it quite loud when you close it? (to stagehand) Try closing it. it goes 'CLICK' . Try moving it slowly once it touches the doorframe. When it hits... (door closes quietly) See, it's possible!! (crowd giggles) .
They closed it when we played the intro—you can keep it open now, thanks—they closed it and it was a bit distracting. (to stagehand) Oh, you can keep it open, thanks. But close it gently once it touches the frame.
Well, about Yokohama. Today's refreshment (for the support staff) was Harbour (applause) It's a rather orthodox choice so I thought they'd go, 'What, this?'. But it was alright. I love chestnuts, so I bought double marron, they seemed super delicious. Come to think of it, L'Arc did a tie-up with them once. With pictures of the members on the packaging. That happened. I just remembered.
Today's livestream... is it Japan-wide? Worldwide? I'm not sure, but since we're streaming I'll have to sing properly. I always sing properly though (laughs) Yup, I'll do my best. (to the orchestra) Let's do our best, guys. You're all so good, you'll be fine. Do you ever make mistakes? (looks around) You do? (laughs) I see. I thought I was the only one. But honestly, everyone plays so beautifully. So much so that I keep thinking it's a CD playing. (looks to hico) What, 'ignore' ? (crowd giggles)
Well thanks for playing so beautifully every time. The tour will continue after a bit. Let's return to ROENTGEN. Next... oh yes! I was looking at (the fan's) t-shirt and realised that they're a fan from 20 years ago, I was so moved while singing. There's a fan wearing a t-shirt from 20 years ago. And some of you are in yukata too. Yeah, 20 years... that's amazing, right. There isn't anyone (artist) I've liked for that long. I'm really grateful, thank you.
Well then, we continue with SHALLOW SLEEP. It's said that people tend to dream when they're in a shallow sleep. That's what the lyrics are about. Sometimes you'd see incredible dreams, and you'd think 'If only this weren't a dream, if only this were real!' That became the basis of this song. Let's go, SHALLOW SLEEP.
after ANOTHER MOMENT
L'Arc-en-Ciel are celebrating their 30th anniversary. (applause) Thank you! 20 years is one thing, but 30... more than half my life has been spent with L'Arc-en-Ciel. Aaaaaaah... even more things have happened. Well, 30 years ago I was still a child. Though I was technically an adult. (laughs) It's hard to process and quite a scary thought, so I don't think about it.
L'Arc have announced they're going on tour (applause) starting next month. Terrifying. Their tour overlaps with this one. In September. It's become a terrifying situation... so I gotta keep doing my best.
So I'd like for you to enjoy these two songs from L'Arc-en-Ciel. Starting with HONEY, in a jazz arrangement.
After THE CAPE OF STORMS
Are you enjoying yourselves? The vibe's great today huh. Halls are great, aren't they. We're close, closer than I'd expected. Hmm. (looks around) And it's hard to construct such a high ceiling in a livehouse.
Well we've played 16 songs, and have you noticed? It's all so dark (crowd laughs). A ghost ship wandering in the storm in search of love (from THE CAPE OF STORMS)... 'I hope it'd wilt' (from flower)... (laughs) 'even if it's hazy' (lyrics from 'HONEY')... and an abyss...
Thanks for waiting. Starting now, we'll play two optimistic songs. The first, FINAL PIECE, is a new song. This, again, overflows with love. It's optimistic, so you can listen with peace of mind.
And then the next song is Breaking Dawn, which I wrote for dear Jae-joong. This song is also totally optimistic. If it weren't for this pandemic I was hoping he'd perform this at concerts. That can't happen yet. At the end of the song there's this huge chorus, where I imagined everyone getting super excited. But I ended up performing it before he does... (crowd giggles)
Today, just imagine the huge singalong at the end. Someday everyone would be able to sing it together. When that happens, you'd feel everyone's sentiments, like a waterfall. But today it's just the imaginary version. Well, imaginary versions are rare so... please have fun imagining. Well, then, the optimistic segment begins. (to the orchestra) Please.
After Breaking Dawn
Are you enjoying yourselves? (applause) thanks...
We're left with the last two songs. When I made this album 20 years ago, rock and dance were the dominant genres in the music scene. I thought there'd be no demand for an album like this. But I wanted to make an acoustic, whispery album. Conversely, I felt that that was the spirit of rock itself. Going against the world. Penetrating through. In naming this album ROENTGEN, I wanted to express that when even an adorable girl gets an x-ray, you'd see a skull. A skeleton.
In the same sense, even though I was making music that seemed calm on the surface, it's rock at heart.
If I had done a tour at that time, 20 years ago, it wouldn't have had such a beautiful ensemble performance, and I wouldn't have sung so... well? It's a bit weird to say that about myself (laughs) My singing wouldn't have gone so smoothly. So I think that maybe I'd made that album 20 years ago for the sake of today.
Lastly, I'd like for you to enjoy NOSTALGIC, which was just released, and the last song from ROENTGEN, SECRET LETTERS. Thanks for today.
Hi! It's hyde of L'Arc-en-Ciel. L'Arc-en-Ciel's new song, 'Mirai' is now streaming on Oricon. Well, I started working on this new song quite some time ago, it's taken about 8 years to make. It's a majestic love story. Kinda ends with a cinematic 'bang!', so do check it out. That's it, this was hyde.
'The youth saw twisted hatred within the shadows of men'
I don't want to see anything of that sort of world anymore
Anything! Anything! Anything!
記憶の天秤にかけた
一つの傷がつりあうには百の愛を要する
けれどこころは海岸の石のよう
波にもまれたくさんの傷を得ることにより
愛は 形成されてゆく
Upon the scales of memory
It takes a hundred loves to balance a single wound
But the heart is like a rock on the shore
Tossed by waves, it's by sustaining a myriad of wounds
That love takes form
それでも想う 貴方のことを
季節が流れていても…
目を閉じていつも見てた風景のように
何度目かの雨もあがった
Even so, I kept thinking about you
Even as the seasons flowed past...
Just like in the scene I see whenever I close my eyes
The rain will lift, every time
せつない人よ 叶わぬ願いよ
なぜこの胸から愛は生まれて行く?
咲き乱れた花は揺れて
沈んだ大地に降り注ぐ
People in pain! Dreams unfulfilled!
Why is love borne of this heart?
Wavering flowers, blossoming profusely
Are raining incessantly upon the sunken earth
愛を時は奏でて想いはあふれる
途切れそうなほど透明な声に
歩き出したその瞳へ
終わらない未来を捧げよう
Time plays love, my thoughts overflow
In a clear voice that feels like it'd break off
I stepped out towards those eyes
And offered up an unending future
---
Notes:
1. I like mei's article, which explains the lyrics and background of the song
2. the verb 'kanadete' in the first line ('time played on') specifically refers to making music with string instruments. Like guitars. It's indeed a weird expression but... hyde flexed his poetic licence ✌
Don't cry, don't cry, not with those precious eyes
Even though grief has made you stumble
You need to stay as yourself and face the truth
大好きなその笑顔くもらせてごめんね
祈っても時の流れ速すぎて遠くまで
流されたから戻れなくて
I'm sorry for darkening that smile I love so much
Even though I prayed, time flows far too fast
I've been swept far away; I can't return
あぁ 穏やかな輝きに彩られ
歳月は夜を夢に変えるみたいだから
目をこらして さあ!
Ah, coloured by the gentle light
It feels as if time has changed the night to dreams so
Look closely, watch!
あなたのすぐそばにまた新しい花が生まれて
木もれ日の中で鮮やかに揺れてる
いつまでも見守ってあげたいけどもう大丈夫
優しいその手を待ってる人がいるから顔を上げて
Yet another new flower's born beside you
Waving radiantly in the dappled sunlight
Although I want to watch over you forever, I know you'll be alright
Someone's waiting for your gentle hands, so look up
ねぇ 遠い日に恋をしたあの人も
うららかなこの季節愛する人と今
感じてるかな?
Hey, will the person I loved in those distant days
And the person they love in this resplendent season
Be able to feel this now?
あぁ 私のかけらよ力強くはばたいてゆけ
振り返らないで広い海を越えて
たくさんの光がいつの日にもありますように
あなたがいるからこの命は永遠に続いてゆく
Ah, piece of me, flap strongly onward
Cross the vast oceans without looking back
So that someday will be filled with light
Because of you this life will go on for eternity
あぁ 両手にあふれそうな想い出たち枯れないように
ゆっくり明日をたずねてゆくから
私のかけらよ力強くはばたいてゆけ
振り返らないで広い海を越えて
Ah, to stop the memories that seem to spill from these hands from withering
I'll take my time to approach tomorrow so
Piece of me, flap strongly onward
Cross the vast oceans without looking back
-------
1. Some commenters feel this song is about what a father might say to a daughter who's getting married, but it most likely describes what a recently-deceased parent might say to their child at their funeral. tetsuya wrote it while thinking of his grandmother, while hyde penned the lyrics while thinking about the death of a relative. (source: Japanese wikipedia).
Lines like 'I've been swept far away / I can't return' and 'because of you this life will go on for eternity' also fit this scenario better.
2. In terms of nuance I think 'Fragments' is probably a more accurate title.
3. In this performance hyde (perhaps with the wisdom of one who has now experienced parenthood?) changed the last line from 'piece of me' to 'watashi no subete yo' ('all of me' / 'my everything'), which I think is absolutely sublime.
