And I

the sudden rush
of everything coming into contact

Is it maybe too presumptuous
to say I know how that feels?

I have really, really
missed you too.

Heal the World

I've been playing the first on repeat recently so I thought I'd reco; and I just found out the touching meaning of the second song which happened to be along the same line so I thought I'd lump them together. >:D


Kanjani8, "fuka-fuka Love the Earth"
Theme song to NTV's Touch! Eco 2008

Softly, Softly Love the Earth
(OPV Version)

Surely, on this earth that we love mutually
There is no need for tears anymore
So smile

We were born in the same era
And have been living casually
But even this day that has simply passed by
I believe it has a precious meaning

Though the wind which blows as always
Doesn't seem to bring any difference
See, unknowingly we've passed each other
And lost sight of something

I exchanged greetings with you, yeah
Such a coincidence is so awesome, don't you think?

Surely, on this earth that we love mutually
There is no need for tears anymore
Because our hearts that feel for others
Will connect and turn into tomorrow
Let us, with tenderness
Softly, softly love the earth

Nothing will begin if we don't start
So let's take that one step forward
When we gaze at the countries across the sea
What would we think?

I will convey not only with words, yeah
I want to sing of a love that will always connect

Surely, on this earth that we love mutually
There is no need for tears anymore
Because our hearts that feel for others
Will connect and turn into tomorrow

This earth that we love mutually
We want to tenderly protect it for good
This world which shares its pain quietly
We wish for it to overflow with love
Let's sing a song about
Softly, softly loving the earth


-- Translation adapted from usacchon

SMAP, "Triangle"
A rather sad song compared to their much more popular "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" of the similar 'world peace' theme.

Triangle

My heart is a little off from the inside of my small room
No matter how much I strain my eyes, I just can't see it

If someone is praying up to the far away sky
If you're hiding and afraid

Contented with everything I had, I wander in search of tomorrow
In the gathering shadows, I can only find destruction
I can't love the world as it will be in the future

My eyes, your hands, our voices
All of them are different from one another; being free is life itself
My skin, your mother, our love
They are miracles that have fallen down
Onto this small blue planet floating in space

The silent feelings of the grandfather passed through time to the father
Wholeheartedly, they continued up the road heavy with harshness

We live, after being born without knowing the slightest trace of sadness
Let's inherit those feelings, I'll say it until my voice runs out

The heroes of countries at war, the women at wartime
Each is just as important, each is a life to respect
The gun we hold with a fearless expression
Is pointed at none other than our own hearts

It's been carved in deep, just like those wounds

My eyes, your hands, our voices
All of them are different from one another; being free is life itself
My skin, your mother, our love
They are miracles that have fallen down
Onto this small blue planet floating in space

The sadness of countries at war, unfulfilled motherhood
Each is just as important, each is a life to respect
The gun we hold with a fearless expression
Is pointed at none other than our own hearts

That's right, I'm afraid of what's in your hands


-- Translation adapted from Mognet

Lunchtime Reading

I'm not deep enough into the whole debate about the evolution theory to tell if this article is opinionated or not, but the issues raised about the human mind and spirituality here I found plenty thought-provoking. =)

Susan Jacoby, "Darwin the Disturber"

あの頃の未来に...

SMAP's 1998 single that has made its way to some Japanese textbooks -- Suga Shikao who wrote the lyrics did an acoustic version in his 2001 album. firefly & co also sang this song in our Batch 5 performance night back in 2000. =)

For such a soothing melody, the words agitate my heart so. The quiet restlessness as we wander through life, I suppose I'm kinda relating to it right now...


スガシカオ x ユイ - 『夜空ノムコウ』
Suga Shikao x Yui - "Yozora no Mukou" (Live on Our Music 2005.12.02)




Beyond the Night Sky


Have we come to believe in something since then, I wonder...
Beyond the night sky, tomorrow is already waiting


Hearing someone's voice, we hid ourselves
Beyond the park fence, the night wind was blowing

The way your hand returned my grasp, as if you were trying to tell me something
That gesture squeezes a soft place in my heart even now

Have we come to believe in something since then, I wonder...
As I open the window softly, I can smell the winter wind

Is sadness something that will someday disappear, I wonder...
My sighs leave just a slight trace of white, then soon disappear


Even when I start to walk, I hesitate with each step
But I've thought that I could crush the worthless common sense

The words I spoke to you, how much of them remain?
In the deepest part of my heart, the fruitless efforts continue

Are we standing in the future of that time, I wonder...
It seems like nothing is going quite as well as we had hoped

Will these days go on like this forever, I wonder...
The cloudless starry sky continues beyond the window

Have we come to believe in something since then, I wonder...
Beyond the night sky, already tomorrow is waiting

---

Lyrics translation is adapted from kiwi-musume.

Rousing Storm

I said let me first learn to love myself
then I'd know how to properly love you.
But love doesn't really go like that.

I said I wasn't good with words, with pretty things
so I'd rather not say much, rather stand on the sidelines.
But people don't really work like that.

I said let me straighten out my life
before I could try to handle another's.
But life doesn't really wait like that.

I said no one could be another me
and I was happy enough alone with my mind.
But the world is too big to be contained like that.

I say quit justifying, dear myself
and stop accepting things you haven't tried to change.
'Cause that peace you're after doesn't mean you never have to budge.