Nagareboshi
流れ星 (Nagareboshi) · 流星 · Shooting Star
In:
[Album] Prism – track 5
English
Although we are far apart, I am thinking of you today
I want to walk by your side, and I want us to live together one day
However many people are gathered, however busy the streets are
Being where you are would ease my loneliness the most
Instead of eating alone in the restaurant with the longest queues
I’d rather be eating instant ramen with you and dressed in pyjamas
We live busy lives, so we only hear each other’s voice over the phone
There are some cruel days when we miss each other’s calls
Even if I feel like crying from loneliness towards a distant shooting star
The night sky above always assures me that everything will be fine
Instead of drifting off to sleep while wrapped in the cosiest blanket
I’d rather be falling asleep with you, with our cold feet entwined
I want to be sure of your feelings, but words are not enough
So I have told small lies to see if you get uneasy1
Although we are far apart, I am thinking of you today
I want to walk by your side, and I want us to live together one day
I feel irritated and miserable because I can’t see you when I want to
You tell me that you understand that better than anyone else
Although we are far apart, I am thinking of you today
I want to walk by your side, and I want us to live together one day
Translation notes
1. Verse 7
I want to be sure of your feelings, but words are not enough
So I have told small lies to see if you get uneasy
The Japanese lyrics do not explicitly say who tells the lies to make the other feel uneasy in the second line. The Chinese translation says that the singer is made to feel anxious by the listener’s lies. I believe that the singer is telling the lies. The first line makes it clear (in both Japanese and Chinese) that the singer wants to be sure about the listener’s feelings. I find it much more likely the singer would follow up by admitting to using lies to probe how the listener feels about her, rather than explaining that her uncertainty about the listener’s feelings is caused by his lies.
I like that Oku Hanako sings this song with a cute voice instead of a yearning voice. I think that it allows the audience to believe that the singer and the listener will have a fine future together. It is unexpected to find that the shooting star is associated with the singer’s loneliness instead of being used to make a wish upon. Perhaps it refers to how a shooting star stands out in the night sky and is alone unless it is part of a meteor shower.
Simplified Chinese
即使相隔好远好远 如今我仍想着你
想要走在你身旁 想总有一天两人共同生活
不管人潮再多 街上多喧闹
只要有你在的地方 便不觉得寂寞
一个人去吃 大排长龙的餐厅
也比不上 和你一起穿着睡衣吃泡面开心
忙碌的生活 只能透过电话听到彼此的声音
虽然也有不温柔 彼此错过的日子
就算是对着远方的流星 寂寞地哭泣
抬头仰望的夜空 也总是对我说没问题的喔
与其包裹着温暖的毛毯入睡
更想和你一起 挨着冰冷双脚入眠
光是言语仍不够 想要确认你的心意
也会用小小的谎言故意让我不安对吧
即使相隔好远好远 如今我仍想着你
想要走在你身旁 想总有一天两人共同生活
因为想见却无法见面 后悔想哭的心情
你说 我比任何人都了解喔
即使相隔好远好远 如今我仍想着你
想要走在你身旁 想总有一天两人共同生活
Oku Hanako - Chinese to English 