Shima Uta
The first time I heard this song, I burst into tears. Its nostalgic melody and theme struck a chord with me, and I think Gackt does a really fine job of singing it. The song has that “country-Okinawa-enka” quality to it
The song was composed in 1992, though this video is only a few years old. Read the lyrics and translation here.
The first line is as follows:
The deigo flower has blossomed, and it has called the wind, and the storm has arrived.
Gackt, of course, has his more usual flamboyant style of dress and performance, though this video convinced me that behind all the flash is a deeply sensitive and talented musician, though, he did not write this gorgeous song, as he does his other material. That honor goes to Miyazawa Kafumi of The Boom.
Here is a performance of the same song by The Boom.
Preferences?
Poor Mari….she’s my favorite. If I ever become a j-pop singer and part of the...
Shes definitely at the top of my hot list.
perfeckt 10:10
I prefer the (relatively) unplugged version in this case. Seems to do a slightly better job of inducing feelings of melancholic nostalgia. Would go good with an ice-cold beer in the evening on a hot, muggy summer day.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:56 amThis “島唄(Shimauta)” song was covered by Argentine singer “Alfredo Casero” and made a mega hit in Argentina. (It became popular in UK, too).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKWqKdr3ge0&mode=related&search
I find the Lyric is so romantic and sad because the lover should die in the war. This music has Okinawa pentatonic and therefore a kind of magical effect. Watch the Boom live in Brazil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYujitlvzrg&mode=related&search
May 29th, 2007 at 9:04 amYou know, I had heard that this was a hit in Argentina, but I didn’t know until you posted the link that he sang in Japanese! Very interesting.
Yes, the lyrics are very romantic and sad and fit the melody perfectly. And I agree completely about the “magical effect.”
It’s a superb song, pop song, anthem song, whatever you want to call it. I love it!
May 29th, 2007 at 10:22 amHere’s the lyrics:
The deigo flower has blossomed, and it has called the wind, and the storm has arrived. The deigo flowers are in full bloom, and they have called the wind, and the storm has come. The repetition of sadness, like the waves that cross the islands. I met you in the Uji forest. In the Uji forest I bid farewell to Chiyo.
Island Song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea. Island song, ride the wind, carry my tears with you.
The deigo blossoms have fallen, soft ocean waves tremble. Fleeting joy, like flowers carried by the waves. To my friend who sang in the Uji forest. Beneathe the Uji, bid farewell to Yachiyo.
Island song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea. Island song, ride the wind, carry my love with you.
To the sea, to the universe, to God, to life, carry on this eternal dusk wind.
Island Song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea. Island song, ride the wind, carry my love with you.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:38 amMarie,
You might also like the Japanese band Kotobuki.
http://www.kotobuki-nn.com/
May 29th, 2007 at 10:42 amMarie, there is Spanish version, too. Some Latin singers(including Alfredo Casero) sing the Shima Uta in Spanish Lyrics with Latin arrangement and it sounds like more light entertaining music.
Many singers are singing Shima Uta. I like Rimi Natsukawa’s one. She comes from Okinawa.
May 29th, 2007 at 11:21 amMost Japanese people will scoff at Gackt, but he is actually really talented and has a great voice. He has a pretty interesting life, and is funny to boot.
But I’ll always like The Boom version of Shima Uta. I also love the Natsukawa Rimi version.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:47 amscoff..scoff .
May 31st, 2007 at 9:05 amif I want that kinda stuff I prefer His Excellency Demon Kogure or the sublime D.Sylvian.
http://www.answers.com/topic/demon-kogure
yours humbly in ignorance
rem.
or the Yoshida Bros.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:15 am