It is time for a new Battle of the Bands. Since it is April, I wanted to dedicate this particular battle to spring. This season is very important in Japan as it is the season of rebirth, renewal, and freshness. It is a season of positivity as the blues of winters melt away as the warmth of spring rushes in. And, as the world is facing the coronavirus pandemic, the images and words associated with spring will hopefully lift people’s spirits during these perilous times.
(This post is part of series called “Battle of the Bands” which other bloggers take part in their own battles. The blog collection is hosted by Stephen T. McCarthy over at STMoC PRESENTS BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Check out the other participants below!)
春: Spring
Spring is a very important season here in Japan. Well, each season has its own deep meanings to the Japanese culture, but spring is the most important of them all. Last year, I talked about how sakura (or cherry blossoms), a prominent early spring flower here in Japan that signals (re)birth, the start of something new, renewal, and a new year. The same holds true for spring as many will start a new journey, whether it be a job, school, a hobby, or a path. Springs brings a sense of change to Japan.
Because of this season of change, people here in Japan might think about goals towards the new season or school/work year. I face one of the biggest changes as I start at a new workplace today. It is the same type of job I been doing for five years (working a preschool) but at another school. Yet, this career change is important as I have reached a point in my life where I am questioning if I want to continue this career path or forge a new one. And, if I really want to stay in Japan or move back to the US (and live in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere). This will be a year of deep thinking.
Do you have any goals for spring? Are you facing any changes during the new season? Remember, it is never true late to start new goals, you don’t need New Years for that. You can make one now. What part of your life do you want to change and make renew? Tell me in the comments below!
The Battle of the Bands at the Beginning of Spring
For this battle, I thought long and hard about what types of songs do I want to use. Do I want to feature songs about spring? Or about flowers?
I eventually thought about using songs about spring as I can do flowers maybe in the next battle. However, I did pick Japanese songs for this battle as I always feel the deep Japanese meaning when I hear or see the word spring. Maybe I have been living here too long? But, I am hoping to use songs from other countries in future battles as I been using Japanese songs for the last three battles.
Enjoy the songs and vote for your favorite by commenting!
“Haru yo Koi” (春よ、来い ) by Yumi Matsutoya
Yumi Matsutoya is one of the most recognizable and prominent figures in modern Japanese music. Many argue it is because of her songs, her lives, or perhaps her distinctive voice. You might have recognized her voice in such songs as “Rouge no Dengon” (The Rouge Message) and “Yasashisa ni Tsutsumaretanara” (If Wrapped In Gentleness) as they were featured in the Studio Ghibli movie Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Out of the countless songs that Matsutoya has released in her 52-year-old career, my personal favorite is “Haru yo Koi” (春よ、来い Spring, Come). It is such a beautiful song that really encapsulates the emotions of spring: peaceful, soothing, and beautiful. Matsutoya’s distinctive voices are a perfect match for this tone as they are gentle and lovely. Although one might see it as a love song, others have seen as a song of encouragement, especially after the 2011 Touhoku Triple Disasters. “Haru yo Koi” is such a nice song with its calm melody, Matsuoya’s gentle vocals, and it’s words of encouragement.
Lyrics for “Haru yo Koi”
Here are the lyrics translated into English, credits got to Misachan:
In the pale light of a rain shower
From the beloved faces of the winter daphnes
Buds of tears overflow as
One by one, their fragrance emerges
And that, that, crosses the skies
Soon, soon, they’ll come for me
Spring, far-off spring, as I close my eyes, right there
You, who has given me love, I hear your nostalgic voice
My heart, which I’ve entrusted to you
Is still waiting for your answer
No matter how much time passes
Always, always, I will wait
And that, that, crosses tomorrow
Someday, someday, it’ll definitely reach you
Spring, as-yet-unseen spring, whenever I feel lost and stop
You, who has given me dreams, your gaze embraces me
Dreams, superficial dreams, I am here
Thinking of you, I walk alone
Like the falling rain, like the falling petals
Spring, far-off spring, as I close my eyes, right there
You, who has given me love, I hear your nostalgic voice
Spring, as-yet-unseen spring, whenever I feel lost and stop
You, who has given me dreams, your gaze embraces me
“CHE.R.RY” by YUI
YUI is a popular sing-songwriter for young adults and high-schoolers here in Japan. Her rock-pop tunes are similar to Avril Lavigne which are catchy and relatable. I am not much of a YUI fan, but a lot of people love her as she appears on every TV music special. She was just on a spring-themed countdown special the other night with her band FLOWER FLOWER
And it was on this countdown that I learned that “CHE.R.RY” is a spring song with flavor. The idea behind the song is “☆ I will give you a spring song like sweet and sour fruit ☆”. YUI herself said that this a cute song that has the flavors of sweet and sour. You can feel the cuteness in the lyrics as it talks about puppy love.
“CHE.R.RY” isn’t my type of song as it is a generic pop-rock song but it is pretty cute. If I have to describe the song in relation to spring, “CHE.R.RY” is about finding new love in the season of new beginnings.
Lyrics for “CHE.R.RY”
Here are the lyrics translated, credits got to AnimeLyrics.com:
A tremble in my hand that turns into a bit of courage
I’m bad at emoticons, but I get nervous when it’s from you
I heard from someone that I shouldn’t send a reply too soon
I can’t play mind games
…but I love you, ah ah ah ah
I fell in love with you, but you probably haven’t noticed right?
I deeply wish upon the starry night, “CHE.R.RY”
~A message I send to you by the tap of my fingers
The sakura are blooming; I’m watching the scenery from my room
Still won’t swap this moment for mere ten seconds of your world
Just a single line is totally fine; your words are all I want
True or not, I can keep on believing
…’cause I love you so, ah ah ah ah
I fell in love with you, but you probably haven’t noticed right?
I deeply wish upon the starry night, “CHE.R.RY”
~A message I send to you by the tap of my fingers
A fruit that slowly ripens is better
I want to build up from simple chats, ah ah ah ah
A beginning of love–my chest tightens from the excitement
I’ll wait forever, entrusting my message to the wind of the cold spring night
I fell in love with you, but you probably haven’t noticed right?
I deeply wish upon the starry night, “CHE.R.RY”
~A message I send to you by the tap of my fingers
