人間の心の中には生まれつきある音楽が流れていてそれに似た曲を人は好きになるんだとか。「自分の曲」は何だろうといつも考えながら歌詞を和訳しています。
I have heard that every one of us has a special music running deep inside our soul and whatever music we love in our lives has something in common with it. I always translate English lyrics into Japanese, wondering what my music sounds like.
London 2012 Olympic Games take place this summer I heard the Oscar winning director, Danny Boyle was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Opening Ceremony. This song is said to be the"unofficial anthem of England." It is used in the film"Chariots of Fire" which won Best Picture in Academy Awards in 1982.
By the way, today I put another video on my previous post of "All I Ask Of You (The Phantom of the Opera)"dated 26th September, 2011. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.com/2011/09/all-i-ask-of-you-phantom-of-opera.html If you are interested, please check it up. That won't disappoint you. Jerusalem
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon england's mountains green?
And was the holy lamb of god
On england's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear: o clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariots of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built jerusalem
In england's green and pleasant land.
白状しましょう。努力は十分したのですが，この歌詞を完全には理解できませんでした。ただ思うに，これは不倫関係を歌ったものではないでしょうか。主人公（男性）は，特定の相手のある女性（YOU）と不倫関係にあって苦悩しています。彼女と結ばれたいと願いながらも，心の奥でそれができないことを悟って別れる決意をする・・・。まあどうでもいいんですけどね。この曲は，今回のグラミー賞のBest Rock SongとBest Rock Performanceの２部門にノミネートされています。
それはともかく，今回この曲を取り上げたのは，ただただこの投稿の一番下のヴィデオを紹介したかったから。意表を突かれたとはまさにこのことでした。
Let's face it. I've tried very, very hard but don't understand the lyric completely. In my opinion, this is a song about an affair. The first person in the lyrics is having an affair with the second person who has someone to sleep with. That hits him hard. He wishes he could be with her but deep inside he knows he can't and decides to let her go. Well, whatever. This song is nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards. Lotus Flower (Radiohead)
I will shape myself into your pocket
Invisible, do what you want, do what you want
I will shrink and I will disappear
I will slip into the groove and cut me off, and cut me off
There's an empty space inside my heart
Where the weeds take root
And now I'll set you free
I'll set you free
There's an empty space inside my heart
Where the weeds take root
Tonight I'll set you free
I'll set you free
Slowly we unfurl
As lotus flowers
'Cause all I want is the moon upon a stick
Just to see what if
Just to see what is
I can't kick your habit
Just to feed your fast ballooning head
Listen to your heart
We will shrink and be quiet as mice
While the cat is away; do what we want
Do what we want
There's an empty space inside my heart
Where the weeds take root
So now I set you free
I set you free
'Cause all I want is the moon upon a stick
Just to see what if
Just to see what is
Put the lotus flower into my room
Slowly we unfurl
As lotus flowers
'Cause all I want is the moon upon a stick
I dance around a pit
The darkness is beneath
I can't kick your habit
Just to feed your fast ballooning head
Listen to your heart
ＴＶドラマのグリーがヒットしたおかげで，歌を歌うことが「クール」になったとか。これを「グリー効果」と言うらしいのですが，私自身，最近同じような経験をしました。
というのも，Jason MrazのGeek In The PinkやButterflyを訳して以来，こういう歌詞を見ると，ついエロい意味を連想するようになってしまいまして。そこで，Jason Mraz本人には迷惑かもしれませんが，個人的にこれをJason Mraz Effect（ジェイソン・ムラーズ効果）と呼んでおります。（まあこの曲の場合はそれが正解なんですが）。
この曲はグラミー賞のBest Traditional R&B PerformanceとBest R&B Songの２部門にノミネートされていますが，和訳するにあたっては，上記の裏の意味は避け，敢えて他愛ない内容の日本語にしています。成功してますかねえ。
Thanks to a popular TV show Glee, it's said that singing is cool again. They call it The 'Glee' Effect
I myself have experienced this kind of effect recently. After translating Jason Mraz's 'Geek In The Pink' and 'Butterfly', I came to see far more sexual connotations in this kind of lyrics. (I think I'm right in this case, though). I don't know if he likes it but I call it 'Jason Mraz Effect'.
This song is nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 54th Grammy Awards. In translating into Japanese, I deliberately ignored these connotations and tried to make it sound more innocent in Japanese. I hope I made it. Fool For You (Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona)
What?!
That real, that deep, that burning, that
Amazing unconditional, inseparable love
That feels like forever, that always emotional
But still exceptional love
Can't nobody tell me nothing it is what it is
And any mistake you make I, I just may forgive
Right now, right now at this very moment
I still love her like I loved her then
I love her in and out and up and down and
Round and round and over and over again
So rare they swear that you just don't exist
And It's only one person I can think of that makes me feel like this
And I'm a fool, such a fool for you!
So sweet, so deep, so real, oooh we Goodamn, tha's some powerful stuff.
How you do it,dodo do it.
Keep it comig, baby I can't seem to get enough
What you do, what you say, makes me want to l,l,love you.
Baby, I don't even have a choice.
And if I did, it would still be you!
'Cause you the man, among these other boys.
Sweet sugar I surrender,
White flag, oh I wouldn't even put up a fight.
'Cause there ain't a damn thing wrong about this kinds lovin'.
Oh and it feels so right.
Gonna, gotta later tell it to my momma.
And she's gonna tell the world that I love you!
So people probably see I'm crazy,
But I don't mind being a fool for you!
I'm a fool, I'm a fool
Such a fool, such a fool
Such a fool, such a fool,
For you
聞くところによると，この曲は英国軍の「もっとも好きな歌」に選ばれたとか。２番目がSnow PatrolのChasing Carsだったそうです（10月22日に取り上げてます）。大変有名な曲なので，すでに日本語訳が多数存在していて，検索すればいくつもヒットするはずです。そういう状況で新たに和訳する必要があるのかは疑問なのですが，２番目のヴィデオに非常に感動したので，私も和訳してみることにしました。気に入っていただけると嬉しいです。
最初，主人公は自分のした殺人をなかなか認識できず，大胆なふりをしますが，次第にそれがわかってくると，今度は周囲に同情を求めてきます。自分が殺人事件の裁判を受けている様子を想像し，その中で自分がこうなったのは周囲に恵まれなかったせいだと環境のせいにして同情を買おうとしますが，判事には受け入れられません。そして今度はそのことに腹を立てるのですが，最後には諦めてしまいます。
I heard that this has topped a poll to find the British Armed Forces' favorite song. The runner up is Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars. It's so famous that many have translated it into Japanese. When you go online, you will find many of them. You might not need another one but the second video I posted below impressed me so much that I decided to give it a try. I hope you enjoy.
In the first verse, the protagonist seems to have a difficulty to realize what he's done and pretend not be scared of it. Then he realizes the fact that he killed a man and ask others for sympathy. In the fourth verse, he imagines of himself being on trial and accused of murder. He asks judges for sympathy claiming he's just a poor boy and blaming what he's done on his environment but it doesn't work. In the next verse, he gets angry with others who accuse him but eventually, he gives it up. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen/Richie Castellano)
(Richie Castellano)
Is this the real life?Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide,
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes, Look up to the skies and see,
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy,
Because I'm easy come, easy go, Little high, little low,
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me.
Mama just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's dead.
Mama, life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away.
Mama, ooh, Didn't mean to make you cry,
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow,
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.
Too late, my time has come,
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time.
Goodbye, ev'rybody, I've got to go,
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth.
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die,
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all.
I see a little silhouetto of a man,
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango.
Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning me.
(Galileo.) Galileo. (Galileo.) Galileo, Galileo figaro
Magnifico. I'm just a poor boy and nobody loves me.
He's just a poor boy from a poor family,
Spare him his life from this monstrosity.
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go.
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go.
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go.
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go.
(Let me go.) Will not let you go.
(Let me go.) Will not let you go. (Let me go.) Ah.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
(Oh mama mia, mama mia.) Mama mia, let me go.
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me.
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye.
So you think you can love me and leave me to die.
Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby,
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here.
Nothing really matters, Anyone can see,
Nothing really matters,
Nothing really matters to me.
Johnny Depp主演の映画Sweeney Toddから。映画では男の子がこの歌を歌っています。日本語とは異なり，英語は人称などに性や年齢といった制限があまりないため，様々な人が（男性も女性も）この曲をカヴァーしています。ヴィデオは，それぞれJosh GrobanとBarbra Streisandのカヴァーです。歌詞は，Barbra Streisandの1985年のアルバム（先日お話したように米国のアルバムチャートで＃１を記録しています）The Broadway Albumから取りました。
和訳では，主人公は男性の使用人が主人に向けて歌っている体裁になっています。
In the film "Sweeney Todd" starring Johnny Depp, a little boy sings the song. Unlike Japanese, English is less age-and gender-conscious and many singers (both male and female) cover it. The videos below are Josh Groban's cover and Barbra Streisand's cover. The lyrics are from her 1985 album "The Broadway Album".
This time I translated the lyrics into Japanese assuming that the first person in the lyrics is an adult male servant and the second person his master. Not While I'm Around (Sweeney Todd/Josh Groban)
(Barbra Streisand)
Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around
Demons are prowling everywhere nowadays
I'll send them howling
I don't care, I got ways
No one's gonna hurt you,
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you,
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while,
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to,
I would never hide a thing from you,
Like some...
No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare
Others can desert you,
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
このFoo Fightersは，My Chemical Romance and Death Cab for Cutieなどと共に，これまで何度もYouTubeのアカウントにオススメとして登場していました。もっと早くチェックすればよかった。ヴィデオの中で，主人公が様々な表示を見てはものすごくイヤそうな顔をするのですが，その中にBieber is my copilotだの, Thank you President Bushだの, Coldplayだのがあって爆笑しました。でもこの人Coldplayが嫌いなんでしょうか？ひょっとして「お上品(posh)」過ぎるとか？
デイヴ・グロール本人によると，ヴィデオはマイケル・ダグラス主演の映画「フォーリング・ダウン」(1993)にヒントを得ているとか。マイケル・ダグラス演じる失業中の男が，世の中の不条理に腹を立てる映画です。
この曲は，グラミー賞のBest Rock Song にノミネートされています。
＊余談ですが，インタヴューで例のコールドプレイのことを聞かれたデイヴ・グロールが「コールドプレイのメンバーとは知り合い。あれはただのヴィデオ用のシャレ」という趣旨の発言をしてました。
The band, Foo Fighters have been constantly popped up on my YouTube account as a recommended video as well as My Chemical Romance and Death Cab for Cutie. I should have checked this up earlier. I laughed a lot to find some signs the protagonist seems to hate, including "Bieber is my copilot", "Thank you President Bush", "Coldplay". I'm not sure why he hates the band, though. Maybe too "posh"?
According to Dave Grohl (Foo Figheters), the music video was inspired by a film "Falling Down"(1993) starring Michael Douglas. It was about an unemployed worker who was frustrated with various flaws in our society.
This song is nominated for Best Rock Song at the 54th Grammy Awards. Walk (Foo Fighters)
A million miles away
Your signal in the distance
To whom it may concern
I think I lost my way
Getting good at starting over
Every time that I return
I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough?
Where do I begin?
Do you remember the days
We built these paper mountains
And sat and watched them burn?
I think I found my place
Can't you feel it growing stronger?
Little conquerors
I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
Now
For the very first time
Don't you pay no mind?
Set me free again
You keep alive a moment at a time
But still inside a whisper to a liar
To sacrifice but knowing to survive
The first decline another state of mind
I'm on my knees, I'm praying for a sign
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I'm on my knees
I never wanna die
I'm dancing on my grave
I'm running through the fire
Forever, whatever
I never wanna die
I never wanna leave
I'll never say goodbye
Forever, whatever
Forever, whatever
I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough?
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough?
ここで取り上げたアーティストのなかで，Lana Del ReyとGotyeは，私にとって特別な思い入れのあるアーティストです。この２人はいわばこのブログの広報担当。彼女のVideo Gamesと彼のSomebody That I Used To Knowは，ここの人気投稿のトップ２です。Gotyeについては，すでに彼の５曲を取り上げているので，今回は彼女の番。
この曲には，キリスト教に関する箇所がいくつもあります。「人生に迷った時もあったけど今は違う
物事も見えなかったけど今ならわかる」はゴスペルのAmazing Graceが元歌ですし，白衣姿や教会の壁画の出てくるミュージックヴィデオも天国を連想させます。
最初，ヴィデオの２人は自殺するのだと思っていましたが，上記の点を考え合わせると，どうもそのセンは考えにくい。キリスト教徒は自殺できませんから。サビのところで，彼女は「死ぬ前に言い残したいことはある？あったら考えておいて これが最後だから だって２人とも生まれたからにはいつか死ぬんだから」と歌っていますが，これは人生最後の日だと思って毎日を精一杯生きろという彼女のメッセージでしょうね。
余談ですが，ヴィデオの中で「土砂降りの雨の中で，熱いキスをしてあげる」と歌っているものの，元の歌詞は「土砂降りの雨の中で，熱い****をしてあげる」だったとか。そういえば先日のP!nkのヴィデオも歌詞とヴィデオが違ってましたよね。
Among all artist I picked up on this blog, some of them occupy a special place in my heart. Lana Del Rey is one of them as well as Gotye. They are somehow playing a role as PR of my blog. "Video Games" and "Somebody That I Used To Know"are top two of the most popular posts here. As Gotye, I've already posted five of his songs. Now it's her turn.
This song has many religious references, like "Lost but now I am found" and "I can see but once I was blind". The music video also evokes the image of heaven, including her white dress and the church murals.
At first, I thought the two in the video are going to commit suicide. Considering these references, however, it's not very likely. A Christian cannot commit suicide. In the hook, she sings "So choose your last words, This is the last time, 'Cause you and I, We were born to die". I think it's her message for us to live everyday as if it was the last day and to make the most of it.
By the way, in the video, she sings "Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain" but the original lyric is "Let me f*** you hard in the pouring rain". This is also the case with P!nk's "F***in' Perfect" in which she doesn't sing "f***in". Born To Die (Lana Del Rey)
Feet, don't fail me now
Take me to the finish line
Oh, my heart it breaks
Every step that I take
But I'm hoping at the gates,
They'll tell me that you're mine
Walking through the city streets
Is it by mistake or design?
I feel so alone on the Friday nights
Can you make it feel like home,
If I tell you you're mine?
It's like I told you, honey
Don't make me sad,
Don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough
And the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh
Let's go get high
The road is long,
We carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
So choose your last words,
This is the last time
Cause you and I,
We were born to die
Lost but now I am found
I can see but once I was blind
I was so confused as a little child
Trying to take what I could get
Scared that I couldn't find
All the answers, honey
Don't make me sad,
Don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough
And the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh
Let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
So choose your last words,
This is the last time
Cause you and I
We were born to die [x4]
Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
So, don't make me sad,
Don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough
And the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh
Let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane...
So choose your last words,
This is the last time
Cause you and I
We were born to die
以前，Brett Dennenはなかなか良いラヴソングを書いていると言いましたが，これはその一つ。ルックスは多少オタクっぽい彼ですが，この曲の歌詞は正統派で直球勝負。ただ言葉の選び方に彼独自の芸風があり，（政府機関の集まる）キャピタルヒル(Capitol Hill)だのウォールストリート(Wall Street)といった単語が出てきます。ラヴソングでは普通あまりお目にかからない単語ですよね？
In the previous post, I said Brett Dennen wrote some good love songs. This is one of them. Despite his somewhat geeky appearance, the lyrics are rather classic and straightforward. We can see his signature in the lyrics, especially in his choice of words, like Capitol Hill and Wall Street. These are not words frequently used in a love song, aren't they? Closer To You (Brett Dennen)
Well I tasted love so sweet
Played around but not for keeps
I'd never been knocked off my feet until you came along
In the room surrounding me are angels I cannot see
I know they come to carry me to where I belong
Closer to you, closer to you
I'm singing like a sailor strutting up your avenue
Like a clown in a costume shop wearing nothing but my birthday suit
Getting closer to you
All the knocks upon your door
Footsteps falling on your floor
All the shipwrecks on your shore
Mean nothing to me
All the crooks on Capitol Hill
Criminals on the dollar bills
All the money on Wall Street still
Couldn't keep me from getting
Closer to you. Closer to you
Like a priest on a pulpit preaching to an empty room
Like a drunk in a dive bar in the early afternoon
Getting closer to you.
Poets could not pronounce your name
Gamblers couldn't play the game
Matchstick statues set to flame
Couldn't hold a candle to you
Swindlers on the Sunset strip
Hypnotists and hypocrites
Ventriloquists and Pickpockets
Wish that they could get
Well I've tasted love so sweet
Played around but not for keeps
I never been knocked off my feet till you came along
I sit through the trickery
The jealousy and vanity
The potency of your prophesy
Because I long to be
Closer to you. Closer to you
Like a hound dog in a junkyard honey
I'm howling at the moon
Like a Pirate in a pawnshop with a pocket full of jewels
Closer to you [x3]
I'll get through
Oh baby I'll get through
Closer to you
Linkin Parkの曲には，歌詞が具体的ではないため，様々解釈が成り立つことがよくあります。これも例外ではありません。核戦争後の世界を歌ったものであるという人，いやいや，恋人との破局，離婚，親しい人の死などの「別れ」を歌ったものであるという人と様々です。この曲が映画「トランスフォーマー３」(Transformers: Dark Of The Moon)のサウンドトラックに入っていることを考えれば，前者の核戦争後の世界説に説得力があるような気がしますが，そうするとサビの部分の「今度こそ，その悲しみや怒りにきちんと向き合って，（それを）ひとつずつ乗り越えるんだ」の箇所がしっくりきません。ここでは後者の解釈を採用しています。
As is often the case with Linkin Park's songs can be interpreted so many ways. This one is not an exception. Some say it's about the aftermath of a nuclear war and others about a devastating event occurring in our lives, such as breakup, divorce or death of the loved one. Considering the fact that this is featured on a film "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon", the former would be more plausible but then "Remember all the sadness and frustration. And let it go. Let it go"doesn't make sense. I would take the latter. Iridescent (Linkin Park)
You were standing in the wake of devastation
And you were waiting on the edge of the unknown
And with the cataclysm raining down
Insides crying "Save me now"
You were there, impossibly alone
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure’s all you’ve known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go. Let it go
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace
Falling into empty space
No one there to catch you in their arms
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure’s all you’ve known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go. Let it go
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure’s all you’ve known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go. Let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure’s all you’ve known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go. Let it go
歌詞が素晴らしい。胸にこたえます。別に歌詞に登場するYOUの立場にいるわけではないのですが，それでもグッときます。いい曲です。
ところで，英語の歌詞を日本語に訳す際，注釈として歌詞に単語やフレーズを追加し，理解しやすい訳文にすることがあります。大抵の場合，追加する分量はわずかですが，今回は，訳文のかなりの部分を私の解釈で付け足しました。さすがに補足説明がこれだけ大量だと，翻訳と呼んでいいのかどうか悩ましいところ。
この曲の入ったCodes and Keysは，グラミー賞のBest Alternative Music Albumにノミネートされています。他の収録曲はまだ聴いていませんが，きっと素晴らしいと思いますね。
The lyrics are awesome. I'm not in the situation the first person in the lyrics puts the second in but still it hits me home. Amazing.
When I translate English song lyrics into Japanese, I often add some words and/or phrases to my Japanese translation as a commentary to make it easier to understand. Usually, they are not much but this time, I guess a significant part of this Japanese translation consists of words and phrases from my interpretation. With such a huge supplementary explanation, I'm not sure if I can call it a translation.
The album "Codes and Keys"which the song is in is nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 54th Grammy Awards. I haven't heard other tracks yet but I'm sure they would be awesome, too. Codes and Keys (Death Cab for Cutie)
We won't get far
Flying in circles inside a jar
Because the air we breathe
Is thinning with the words that we speak
That we speak
You and me
That we speak
You and me
You're on the floor
Fearful of what's outside your door
But the codes and keys
They can protect you
From the pangs of jealousy
When you scream
Love you see
Like a child
Throwing stones at the sky
When they fall back to earth
As minor chords of major works
Separate rooms of single life
We are one
We are alive
We are alive
We are alive
We are alive
We are alive
「トランスフォーマー リベンジ」は未見ですが，仮に観ていたとしたら，もっと歌詞の内容が理解しやすかったんでしょうか？当事者２人の間に出来た溝についての曲であることは理解できるのですが，どうしてこの映画にこの曲だったのかという点が謎です。いかような解釈もできそうな歌詞なので，異星人（you)と我々（I）の対話であるとの解釈も存在します。あまりに突拍子もないように聞こえるのですが，実はそうでもない。
というのも，相手から非難された時の主人公の心情を綴った冒頭の部分が，あまりにドラマチックかつ壮大過ぎます。「今でも覚えてる その瞬間、空が雲って暗くなって辺りを稲妻が走った」って・・・オイオイ。前述の異星人説がずっとそれらしく思えてきませんか？
I haven't seen the film "Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen"yet. If I did, would it be much easier for me to understand the lyrics? The lyrics seem to be about a rift between two people and I understand that. What I want to know is why the song is chosen for the film. Since the lyrics are open, some people think it's a dialog between aliens (the second person) and us (the first person). Does it sound far fetched to you? Actually, it doesn't.
The first verse seems to me too dramatic and spectacular to describe the feeling of the first person when he faces an accusation from the second person. "I remembered black skies, the lightening all around me" .... Oh, give me a break. Don't you think the alien theory above is more plausible? New Divide (Linkin Park)
I remembered black skies, the lightning all around me
I remembered each flash as time began to blur
Like a startling sign that fate had finally found me
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve
So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes
Give me reason to fill this hole, connect the space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies across this new divide
There was nothing in sight but memories left abandoned
There was nowhere to hide, the ashes fell like snow
And the ground caved in between where we were standing
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve
So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes across this new divide
In every loss, in every lie, in every truth that you'd deny
And each regret and each goodbye was a mistake too great to hide
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve
So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes
Give me reason to fill this hole, connect the space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies across this new divide
Across this new divide, across this new divide
グラミー賞のノミネート曲を選ぶのはNARA (National Academy of Recording Arts & Science)会員なので，ノミネートされたということは，多くの会員がその曲にその値打ちがあると考えたということ。この曲は2012年度グラミー賞のBest Pop Solo Performanceにノミネートされています。聴くと元気になってやる気が湧いてくる曲です。
曲のテーマは，Lady GagaのBorn This Wayとほぼ同じで，周囲がどう言おうと，自分に満足している主人公が，「自分を信じて心のままに生きろ」というメッセージを送っています。Jessie JのWho You AreやKaty PerryのFireworkも同じカテゴリですが，その気になればもっと見つかるはず。
ただそれはすなわち，今人々（特に若い人が）こういう曲を求めているということで，つまりは相当のプレッシャーを受けているということでもあります。完璧でなければならないというある種強迫観念にも似たプレッシャーです。なにしろこの曲でさえ「本当はそれだけでかけがえのない完璧な存在なんだからね！」と歌っているんですから。
勿論それは素晴らしいことですが，なぜか不安になります。完璧でないことは敗北や罪なんでしょうか？
The Nominees are chosen by members of NARA (National Academy of Recording Arts & Science). Being nominated means many members consider the song is worthy. This song is nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance in Grammy Awards 2012. So inspiring and encouraging song.
The message of the song is almost the same with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"in which the narrator enjoys high self-esteem despite what others might about her. What she says is "Believe in yourself and stay true to yourself". Jessie J's "Who You Are", Katy Perry's "Firework"are also in this category. I would find much more songs of the category if I only try.
That means these days people (especially young people) need songs like this because there is so much pressure on them. Pressure, or I'd say obsession for being perfect. Even in this song, the singer says "you're fuckin' perfect to me".
Yes, it's a good thing but somehow it scares me. Is being imperfect a defeat or a sin? F***in' Perfect (P!nk)
Made a wrong turn once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss 'No way, it's all good'
It didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated, look I'm still around
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me
You're so mean when you talk
About yourself. You are wrong.
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead.
So complicated,
Look how big you'll make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons
See you do the same
(Ohh ohhhhhhh)
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me
The whole world stares while I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and we tried, tried, tried
But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time.
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere
They don't like my genes, they don't get my hair
Strange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that, why do I do that (why do I do that)?
(Yeah!)
I'm Pretty, pretty, pretty
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me
(You're perfect, you're perfect)
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect.
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me.
長らくお待たせして大変申し訳ありません。何のことかわかりませんよね？実はずっとこの曲の和訳を待ってる人がいるような気がしていました。
というのも，時折この曲の和訳を求めて，ネットを検索した挙句，You Gave Me Somethingの訳の前説の中にこの曲のタイトルが出てくるせいで，間違ってここへ飛ばされて来てしまう人がいるんです。そのたびに，レストランで注文と違う料理を出してしまったような申し訳ない気持ちになってましたが，これでやっと気が楽になります。
歌詞の中にWonderful Worldという単語が繰り返し現れます。最初，これは我々の住んでいる世界のことだと思っていたのですが，次第にそれが「恋人たちの世界」にも思えてきました。主人公が窓越しに覗き込んでいる場所です。以前は彼もこの世界に住んでいたのですが，恋人と別れてしまった今は立ち入りを禁じられ「つまみだされる」状態なんですね。
・・・と当初は思ったのですが，別のセンが出てきました。彼にはまだ特別の人がいないのかも。
Sorry to have kept you waiting for such a long time. You don't get it, do you? I've always had the feeling that some people want the Japanese translation of the song.
Every now and then they searched the web for it and were mistakenly led here because I mentioned the song title in my post of "You Gave Me Something". When I found that, I felt sorry for them as if I had served the wrong dish to the guest in a restaurant. Well, now I feel much better.
In the lyrics, the word, "Wonderful World" appears repeatedly. At first, I thought it was this world where we live in but gradually I came to believe it's also the world for lovers. It's the place he is staring into through a window. He belonged there before but now he is denied (got kicked outside) because his girlfriend (maybe) left him.
Anyway, that was what I thought when I translated the song into Japanese but now I'm having a second thought. Maybe he's never been there. Wonderful World (James Morrison)
I've been down so low
People look at me and they know
They can tell something is wrong
Like I don't belong
Staring through a window
Standing outside, they're just too happy to care tonight
I want to be like them
But I'll mess it up again
I tripped on my way in
And got kicked outside, everybody saw...
And I know that it's a wonderful world
But I can't feel it right now
Well I thought that I was doing well
But I just want to cry now
Well I know that it's a wonderful world
From the sky down to the sea
But I can only see it when you're here, here with me
Sometimes I feel so full of love
It just comes spilling out
It's uncomfortable to see
I give it away so easily
But if I had someone I would do anything
I'd never, never, ever let you feel alone
I won't I won't leave you, on your own
But who am I to dream?
Dreams are for fools, they let you down...
And I know that it's a wonderful world
But I can't feel it right now
Well I thought that I was doing well
But I just want to cry now
Well I know that it's a wonderful world
From the sky down to the sea
But I can only see it when you're here, here with me
And I wish that I could make it better
I'd give anything for you to call me, or maybe just a little letter
Oh, we could start again
And I know that it's a wonderful world
But I can't feel it right now
Well I thought that I was doing well
But I just want to cry now
Well I know that it's a wonderful world
From the sky down to the sea
But I can only see it when you're here, here with me
And I know that it's a wonderful world
I can't feel it right now
I got all the right clothes to wear
I just want to cry now
Well I know that it's a wonderful world
From the sky down to the sea
But I can only see it when you're here, here with me
And I know that it's a wonderful world
When you're with me
以前言ったようにBarbra StreisandのSomething's Comingです。Barbra Streisandは，60年代，70年代，80年代，90年代そして2000年代と，都合50年にわたり，各期間に米国チャートで＃１アルバムを出した唯一人のアーティストらしい。そうです，彼女だけです。
Gleeでは，Rachel役のLea Micheleが彼女とよく比較されるのですが，申し訳ないけれど，比べものにはなりません。Leaも素晴らしい歌手で，そのことはよくわかっているのですが，いかんせんBarbraの声の方がずっと説得力があります。
As I said before, here is Barbra Streisand's Something's Coming. I have read that Barbra Streisand is the only artist who has #1 album on the American chart in five decades, in '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s. Yes, she is THE ONLY one.
In "Glee", Lea Michele is often compared to her, I'd say, Lea is no match for her. Lea is a very good singer and I know it but Barbra's voice is far more compelling. Something's Coming (West Side Story/Barbra Streisand)
Could be, who knows?
There's something due any day
I will know right away soon as it shows
It may come cannon balling
Down through the sky
Gleam in its eye, bright as a rose
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach
Down the block, on a beach, under a tree
I got a feeling there's a miracle due
Gonna come true, coming to me...
Could it be? Yes it could
Something's comin', something good
If I can wait
Something's coming and I don't know what it is
But it is gonna be great
With a click, with a shock
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock
Open the latch
Something's coming, don't know when
But it's soon, catch the moon
One handed catch
Around the corner
Or whistling down the river
Come on, deliver to me
Will it be? Yes it will
Maybe just by holding still
It'll be there
Come on, something, come on in
Don't be shy, meet a guy
Pull up a chair
The air is humming
And something great is coming
I feel that drumming
And something great is coming
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach
Down the block, on a beach
Maybe tonight...
Maybe tonight...
Maybe tonight...!
聞くところによると，これはJames Morrisonが，自分の元彼女のことを歌ったものだとか。彼にマトモな（給料の高い）職についてそれ相応の稼ぎをしろとしつこく要求したそうです。真偽のほどはわかりませんが，本当なら今とても後悔しているでしょうね。ただ不思議なことに，彼女の気持ちはわからんでもありません。彼とその才能に惚れ込んでいない限り，彼を支え続けるのは簡単なことではありません。彼女はただ安心したかったんでしょうね。
この曲を聴くと，Shel Silversteinの有名な絵本「ぼくを探して」を思い出します。動物のような円形の生き物「ぼく」が自分の「かけら」を探す物語。話の途中でその「かけら」に出会うのですが，あまりにピッタリとはまったため，転がる速度が増しすぎて，周囲の景色やものを楽しめなくなってしまいます。そこで，「かけら」を諦め，再び一人で歌いながら転がっていくところが物語が終わりです。この曲で，James Morrisonは，元通りになれないことを嘆いていますが，それが必ずしも悪いことだとは思えません。実際，そのおかげでこんなにいい曲が書けたんですから。
I heard that this song is about James Morrison's ex-girlfriend who pushed him too hard to get a real job to make real money. I'm not sure if it's true but if it is, she must have greatly regretted it now. Strangely, I think I understand her. It wouldn't be easy to support him unless she believed in him, in his talent. I guess she just wanted to be
This song reminds me of a famous children's picture book, "The Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein. A story of a circular animal-like creature who is looking for its missing piece. In the middle of the story, the creature finds a piece which fits it perfectly. That enables the piece to roll too fast to enjoy the beauty of the world. In the end of the story, it gives up the piece and starts rolling again by itself singing. He sings the pieces don't fit anymore but I think it's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, that made him write such a beautiful song. The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore (James Morrison)
I've been twisting and turning in a space that's too small
I've been drawing the line and watching it fall
You've been closing me in , closing the space in my heart
Watching us fading and watching it all fall apart
Well I can't explain why it's not enough
Cause I gave it all to you
And if you leave me now
Oh just leave me now
It's the better thing to do
It's time to surrender
It's been too long pretending
There's no use in trying
When the pieces don't fit anymore
The pieces don't fit here anymore
You pulled me under so I had to give in
Such a beautiful mess that's breaking my skin
Well I'll hide all the bruises; I'll hide all the damage that's done
But I show how I'm feeling until all the feeling has gone
Why I can't explain why it's not enough
Cause I gave it all to you
And if you leave me now
Oh just leave me now
It's the better thing to do
It's time to surrender
It's been too long pretending
There's no use in trying
When the pieces don't fit anymore
The pieces don't fit anymore
You pulled me under so I had to give in
Such a beautiful mess that's breaking my skin
Well I'll hide all the bruises; I'll hide all the damage that's done
But I show how I'm feeling until all the feeling has gone
I don't know why
Well I can't explain why it's not enough
Cause I gave it all to you
And if you leave me now
Oh just leave me now
It's the better thing to do
It's time to surrender
It's been too long pretending
There's no use in trying
When the pieces don't fit anymore
The pieces don't fit anymore
The pieces don't fit anymore
Oh, don't misunderstand how I feel
Cause I've tried, yes I've tried
Still I don't know why
No I don't know why
(追記）
さきほどYouTubeで彼のインタヴューを見たのですが，この元彼女というか彼女，Gillのことなんですね。結局この曲を書いた後でよりが戻ったので，誰もこれが本当のことだとは思わないけど，作った時の気持ちはまさしくこれだったと語ってました。You Are All I Needという曲を彼女に書いて歌い始めたら，そんな曲を書いてるヒマがあったら仕事を探せと言われたそうです。私が彼ならそこでおそらく終わりですが，彼は戻ったんですね。ある意味すごい。
今年のグラミー賞では，Rolling In The Deep (Adele)，All Of The Lights (Kanye West)，Grenade (Bruno Mars)，Holocene (Bon Iver)とこのThe Caveの5曲が，最優秀曲の候補に挙がっています。
お気づきのように，この曲では，ホメロスの叙事詩オデュッセイアを連想させる点がかなりあります。例えば，洞窟に住む人食いのサイクロップス，セイレーン，柱に縛りつけて耳を塞ぐといった箇所です。
このサイクロップスの父は，あの海神ポセイドン。そこで，ポセイドンが英国の，そしてサイクロップスがかつて英国の植民地であったインドのメタファー（暗喩）であると解釈する人も少なくありません。彼らが英国のバンドである点，最初に喋るのがヒンドゥー語である点，そして登場する人々がインド人らしいという点が根拠です。なるほど一理あります。
他にも，洞窟はプラトンの洞窟理論のことだという説も。確かにその線もありますね。
ただ私の解釈は別で，サイクロップスは，貧困にあえぐ人々一般を指していると考えています。彼らの一部は，生きていくために仲間や周囲の人間を利用し，食糧や金のために，恐喝，窃盗，そして時には殺人まで犯しますが，喜んでやっているとは思えません。「他にどうしようもなくてそうしてしまった，その苦悩や辛さ」を感じていると思います。
これでやっと，グラミー賞2012の年間最優秀曲の候補5曲すべての和訳が完了。結果は約1か月後，2月12日に判明しますが，今から大変楽しみです。
Five songs are nominated for The Song of The Year of Grammy Awards. Rolling In The Deep (Adele), All Of The Lights (Kanye West), Grenade (Bruno Mars), Holocene (Bon Iver) and this.
As you know, many people mention this song is full of references to Homer's Odyssey, including Cyclops, a man eater living in a cave, the Siren and tying to a post and blocking ears.
Some people thinks Poseidon is a metaphor for UK and Cyclops for India which once was a colony of UK. (The band is British, the language a member speaks is Hindu and people appear in the beginning of the music video seem to be Indians.) That makes sense.
Other people think that the cave is a reference to Plato's cave theory. That makes sense, too.
My interpretation, however, is different: It's a metaphor for people living in p overty in general. Some of them have no choice but to exploit their people, friends and neighbors to keep their head above water. They extort, steal and sometimes kill others for food or money. I don't think they are very happy with that. They should feel "the shame in your defeat".
Now that I have translated all of the five songs nominated for the coming Grammy Award Song of the Year. We will see who wins the award about one month later, on 12th February. I can hardly wait. The Cave (Mumford & Sons)
It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind
The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat
But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears
But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land
So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say
Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be
And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
No More Drama"(Mary J. Blige)のような曲の直後にこの曲を取り上げていいものか悩むところです。アップテンポでブラスセクションも華麗なこの曲は，耳にした瞬間に気に入ったのですが，改めて歌詞とともに聴いてビックリ。こんなにエロい曲だったとは！最初に口をついて出たのが「Jasonお前・・・」でした。
Geek in The Pinkを知っていたので，彼Jason Mrazがただの清く正しい好青年でないことは重々承知していたのですが，まさかここまでとは。このヴィデオについたコメントのなかに，「お前のGoogleの履歴よりエロい」というのがあって爆笑しました。
この曲，とりわけ女性のなかにはイヤがる人もいるかもしれませんが，私は大好きです。ただ不思議なことに，日本語に訳すと英語ほどエロくありません。まあ（ブログに出すために）そのつもりで頑張ったので，当然と言えば当然なのですが，果たしてこれで良かったんでしょうか？
Should I have known better not to post this right after a song like "No More Drama"(Mary J. Blige)? The song grabbed my heart with its upbeat and gorgeous brass when I first heard it. It was not until I listened to it with the lyrics that I realized how dirty it sounds. The words came out of my mouth was "Oh, Jason ... ". Having listening to his Geek in The Pink, I thought I knew Jason Mraz was not an innocent good boy but I didn't expect that much. A comment posted to the video says, "It's dirtier than your Google history." (I laughed so hard.)
Some people, especially women might feel repulsion for the song but I LOVE it. Strangely, it does not sound so dirty when translated into Japanese. Yes, I tried so hard not to. Should I feel happy? Or feel otherwise? Butterfly (Jason Mraz)
I'm taking a moment just imaginin' that I'm dancin' with you
I'm your pole and all you're wearing is your shoes
You got soul, you know what to do to turn me on until I write a song about you
And you have your own engaging style
And you've got the knack to vivify
And you make my slacks a little tight, you may unfasten them if you like
That's if you crash and spend the night
But you don't fold, you don't fade
You've got everything you need, especially me
Sister you've got it all
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk, sister you've got it all
Curl your upper lip up and let me look around
Ride your tongue along your bottom lip and bite down
And bend your back and ask those hips if I can touch
Because they're the perfect jumping off point of getting closer to your
Butterfly
Well you float on by
Oh kiss me with your eyelashes tonight
Or Eskimo your nose real close to mine
And let's mood the lights and finally make it right
But you don't fold, you don't fade, you've got everything you need
Especially me
Sister you've got it all
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk sister you've got it all
You've got it all, you've got it all, you've got it all [2x]
You've got it all, you've got it all
Doll I need to see you pull your knee socks up
Let me feel you up side, down slide, in slide, out slide, over here
Climb in my mouth now child
Butterfly, well you landed on my mind
Dammit you landed on my ear and then you crawled inside
Now I see you perfectly behind closed eyes
I wanna fly with you and I don't wanna lie to you
Cause I, cause I can't recall a better days
Sun coming to shine on the occasion
You're an open-minded lady
You've got it all
And I never forget a face
except for making my own
I have my days
Let's face the fact here, it's you who's got it all
You know that fortune favors the brave
Well let me get paid while I make you breakfast
The rest is up to you, you make the call
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk, sister you've got it all
Cause I can't recall a better day
Sun comin' to shine on the occasion
You're a sophisticated lady, oh you've got it all
You've got it all, you've got it all, you've got it all [3x]
You've got it all, you've got it all:.
「圧倒された」。この曲を耳にした時の状態を表現するとしたらこの一言でしょう。聴くつもりはなくたまたま聞こえてきただけだったのに，気づくと聴き入ってしまいました。曲とヴィデオに釘付けです。大変悲しいけれど，それでも最後にかすかな希望を感じさせる曲。
実はこの曲を聴くまで，ラップには多少嫌悪感を感じてました。「文句ばっかり言ってないで，グチる以外に何かしろよ 自分の人生，他人にどうにかしてもらおうなんて甘いね 自分で変えなきゃ」こんな感じでしょうか。いや傲慢でした。他人の苦しみを想像しようとすらしてなかった。無論だからといって今立派な人物になっているわけでは全くないのですが，それでもこの曲を聴いて，自分の中の何かが変わったと思います。
Overwhelmed. That was the word that describes myself when I heard it. I didn't mean to listen to it but actually I did. Or I was hooked by her song and the video. So sad but a glimpse of hope at the end.
Before I knew it, I kind of hated rap music more or less. "Stop complaining and do something but complain. It's YOU who makes a change for your life, not us." was roughly what I was thinking then. How arrogant I had been! I didn't even try to imagine what those people were feeling. Still I'm not a saint at all but now I know I'm not. I believe it makes a big difference. No More Drama (Mary J. Blige)
So tired, tired of this drama
No more, no more
I wanna be free
I'm so tired, so tired
Broken heart again
Another lesson learn
Better know your friends
Or else you will get burned
Gotta count on me
Cause I can guarantee
That I'll be fine
No more pain (no more pain)
No more pain (no more pain)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
No one's gonna make me hurt again
Why'd I play the fool
Go through ups and downs
Knowing all the time
You wouldn't be around
Or maybe I like the stress
Cause I was young and restless
But that was long ago
I don't wanna cry no more
No more pain (no more pain)
No more game (no more game messin with my mind)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
Nooone's gonna make me hurt again
No more tears (no more tears, I'm tired of cryin everynight)
No more fears (no more fears, I really don't wanna cry)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
I don't ever wanna hurt again
Wanna speak my mind, wanna speak my mind
Uh, it feel so good
When you let go
Of all the drama in your life
Now you're free from all the pain
Free from all the game
Free from all the stress
So find your happiness
I don't know
Only God knows where the story ends for me
But I know where the story begins
It's up to us to choose
Whether we win or loose
And I choose to win
No more pain (no more pain)
No more game (tired of your playin' game with my mind)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
No more, no more, No more, no more
No more tears (no more tears, no more cryin every night)
No more fears (no more waking be up in the morning)
No drama, no more in my life
No more drama, no more drama
No more drama, no more drama
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
No more drama in my life
So tired, tired of this drama
Kanye Westは，6部門のAdeleをおさえ，今回のグラミー賞2012で7部門にノミネートされています。正直なところ，昨年はグラミーにさして興味はありませんでしたが，今年は事情が違います。4か月前にブログを始めて以来，音楽に関心が出てきてかなり生活も変わりました。以前なら，候補者の名前を聞いても，ほんの一部しかわからなかったことでしょう。
歌詞に出てくる主人公の娘は，ヒップホップのメタファーなのだとか。主人公は勿論Kanye West自身。娘（音楽）のために真面目になると約束します。
Taylor SwiftのVMA受賞を邪魔したということで，世間から激しい非難を受け，ある意味干されていた彼ですが，今回はさすがに懲りたようで，有名人であるがゆえの栄光と重圧と苦悩を描いたこの曲で，音楽への復帰を宣言しています。
エンドクレジットからもわかるように，Fergie，John Legend，Alicia KeysそしてElton Johnといった有名アーティストが多数参加しています。彼らもこの曲には思い入れがあるのかも。
Kanye West is nominated in seven categories of 2012, followed by Adele for six for Grammy Awards this year. Last year, I didn't care very much for the awards but things are different this year. I have come to more and more interested in music since I started the blog. These four months have changed my life quite significantly. I would have recognized only a fraction of the Grammy nominees before that.
In the lyrics, the protagonist's daughter is said to be a metaphor for hip hop music. The protagonist is, of course, a reflection of the singer, Kanye West. He (Kanye) promises his daughter (hip-hop music) to be more committed.
After allegedly ruined Taylor Swift's VMA award moment, Kanye West was fiercely bashed and criticized. He has been kind of ostracized by the public. Now he seems to have learned a lesson. With this song which illustrates the glory, pressure and distress of being a celebrity, he declares his resolution to come back to the music world.
As you see in the end credit of the video, many artists took part in this as vocals, like Fergie, John Legend, Alicia Keys and Elton John. I guess they relate to the song. All Of The Lights (Kanye West ft. Rihanna Kid Cudi)
All of the lights ( x 4 times)
Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights
Fast cars, shooting stars
(all of the lights, all of the lights)
Until it's Vegas everywhere we are
(all of the lights, all of the lights)
If you want it you can get it for the rest of your life
If you want it you can get it for the rest of your life
Something wrong
I hold my head
MJ gone, our nigga dead!
I slapped my girl, she called the feds
I did that time and spent that bread
I'm heading home, I'm almost there
I'm on my way heading up the stairs
To my surprise a nigga replacing me
I had to take 'em to that ghetto university
All of the lights
Cop lights, flash lights
Spot lights, strobe lights,
Street lights
All of the lights
All of the lights
Fast life, drug life
Thug life, rock life
Every night
(all of the lights)
Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights
Restraining order
Can't see my daughter
Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order
Public visitation
We met at Borders
Told her she take me back
I’ll be more supportive
I made mistakes
I bump my head
Courts suck me dry
I spent that bread
She need a daddy
Baby please, can't let her grow up in that ghetto university
All of the lights
Cop lights, flash lights, spot lights
Strobe lights, street lights
All of the lights
All of the lights
Fast life, drug life
Thug life, rock life
Every night
(all of the lights)
Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights
Getting mine, baby
Gotta let these niggas know, yeah
Get it right, ay
You should go and get your own
Getting mine, baby
Gotta let these niggas know, yeah
Get it right, ay
You should go and get your own
Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need, want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights
Whoaa-oh-whoa
Whoaa-oh-whoa-oh
I tried to tell you but all I could say is oh ( x 4 times)
この曲を書いて歌っているRandy VanWarmerは1955年3月30日に生まれ、8年前の2004年の今日1月12日に白血病で亡くなりました。あれから8年。ただの一発屋として語られることの多い彼ですが、実際には非常に優れたソングライターでした。このヴィデオについたファンのコメントによると，その気になればどんな種類の曲でも書けたのだから，もっと長生きしてまたヒットを飛ばし、世間が間違っていたことを証明して欲しかったとか。いみじくも歌詞にこうあります。「すごく会いたいのは今なのに ひどいよそんな時にいないなんて」。どうか安らかに眠ってください。
The singer and songwriter Randy VanWarmer was born on March 30, 1955 and died of leukemia on January 12, 2004. Seven years have passed since he passed away. People often refer him as a One-hit wonder but actually he was a great songwriter. One of his big fans commented on the video saying that he could have written any kind of music if he just wanted to and should have lived longer to prove them wrong. Like the song, "he left us just when we needed him most". R.I.P.
Just When I Needed You Most (Randy VanWarmer)
You packed in the morning
I stared out the window
And I struggled for something to say
You left in the rain without closing the door
I didn't stand in your way
Now I miss you more
Than I missed you before
And now where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
Yes, you left me
Just when I needed you most
Now most every morning
I stare out the window
I think about where you might be
I've written you letters that I'd like to send
If you would just send one to me
'Cause I need you more
Than I needed before
And now where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
Yes, you left me
Just when I needed you most
You packed in the morning
I stared out the window
And I struggled for something to say
You left in the rain without closing the door
I didn't stand in your way
Now I love you more
Than I loved you before
And now where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
You left me
Just when I needed you most
Oh, you left me
Just when I needed you most
