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.
Sam SmithのStay With Meにコメントをくださった方がこの曲に言及なさっておいででした。 http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/04/stay-with-me-sam-smith.html
確かにこの曲を聞くとあれを思い出しますし，特に最初の部分のメロディが似ているのですが，似ているのはそこまでです。Stay With Meはゴスペル風のロマンティックな曲で，その中で主人公が一夜限りの相手にこのままそばにいてくれと頼む内容でしたが，こちらの曲は一種のプロテストソングで，主人公がどんなに辛くても決して負けたりしないと言い切っています。
A person who commented on my post of Stay With Me (Sam Smith) mentioned this song. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/04/stay-with-me-sam-smith.html
It certainly reminded me of the track when I heard this. They sounds similar, especially in the opening parts but the similarity ends here. While Stay With Me is a gospel inspired romantic song in which the protagonist is asking the second person who was one-night stand not to leave him, this is a sort of protest song in which the narrator declares he won't give in or surrender no matter how hard it may be. I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty)
Well, I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
Well I know what's right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I'll stand my ground
And I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
No I won't back down
聞くところによると，この２曲が似ているとお考えになったのは，リード文に登場なさった方だけではないようで，ネット上でもその点が問題になり，最終的にSam Smith側が似ていることを認め，この曲のクレジットにI Won't Back Downを書いたTom PettyとJeff Lynnを加えて，それぞれに印税の12.5%を支払うということで決着したそうです。まさしくI won't back downですね。
「人は傷つくと強くなる(what doesn't kill you makes you stronger)」とよく言われますし，そう語る曲も少なくありません。Kelly ClarksonのStronger (What Doesn't Kill) はそういった曲のひとつでしょう。http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2012/02/stronger-what-doesnt-kill-you-kelly.htm確かに大抵の場合はその通りだと思いますが， そうはいうものの，受け止めるべき重荷やプレッシャーが想像以上に重過ぎると，そのせいで精神的に不調をきたして，その中に飲み込まれてしまいそうになります。
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and so many songs tell us so. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill) by Kelly Clarkson is one of those songs. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2012/02/stronger-what-doesnt-kill-you-kelly.html
I know it's true in most cases and we should think this way if we want to get something over. Sometimes, however, the burden and pressure we're suppose to take are much too heavier than we expect. They can drive us on the verge of nervous breakdown and make us feel 'drown'. Drown (Bring Me The Horizon)
What doesn't kill you
Makes you wish you were dead
Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper
And I can't take
One more moment of this silence
The loneliness is haunting me
And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up
It comes in waves, I close my eyes
Hold my breath and let it bury me
I'm not OK and it's not all right
Won't you drag the lake and bring me home again
Who will fix me now?
Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself
Don't let me drown
Who will make me fight?
Drag me out alive?
Save me from myself
Don't let me drown
What doesn't destroy you
Leaves you broken instead
Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper
And I can't take
One more moment of this silence
The loneliness is haunting me
And the weight of the worlds getting harder to hold up
It comes in waves, I close my eyes
Hold my breath and let it bury me
I'm not OK and it's not all right
Won't you drag the lake and bring me home again
Who will fix me now?
Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself
Don't let me drown
Who will make me fight?
Drag me out alive?
Save me from myself
Don't let me drown
'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own
'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own
'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own
(You know that I can't do this on my own)
Who will fix me now?
Who will fix me now?
Who will fix me now?
Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself
Don't let me drown
一体誰が誰なのか？「語り手」は歌詞に登場する「お前」なのか？「お前」と「あの子」は同一人物なのか？それとも「語り手」「お前」「あの子」の三者が全て一人の人間なのか？その答えによってこの歌詞の解釈が決まると思われますが，ただそれでも歌詞の大意にさほど影響はないような気がします。歌詞は言うまでもなく，ミュージック・ヴィデオもやや落ち込む内容ですが，それにもかかわらず，この曲を聞くと，不思議なほどやる気が出ます。
Who's who? Is the narrator of the song the second person? The the second person (YOU) and the third person (SHE) in the lyrics are the same person? Or all these three people are actually one person? The answers to these questions determine the interpretation of the song but I don't think that affects the meaning of the song very much. The music video is a bit depressing not mentioning the lyrics. To me, however, the song sounds uncannily inspiring for some reason. Paper Crown (Alec Benjamin)
A paper crown, and a heart made of glass
A tattered gown, and her kingdom of ash
She walks alone, can never look back
The story of a queen whose castle has fallen to the sea
She'll make it out, but she's never the same
She's lookin' down, at the scars that remain
But you hold your ground, though your kingdoms in flames
Cause it's the story of a queen who's castle has fallen to the sea
Knowing there's no one who will be a king that will come and save his queen
When all she needs, and all she wants, and all she finds
When all she is, and ever was, is compromised
Cause there's no one to love her
You built your walls too high
And there's no one to love you when you build your walls too high
She's looking out, from the war that's inside
She's screaming out, cause no one survived
But when you're all alone, you wait and you hide
Cause it's the story of a queen whose castle has fallen to the sea
Knowing, there's no one who will be a king that will come and save his queen
When all she needs, and all she wants, and all she finds
When all she is, and ever was, is compromised
Cause there's no one to love her
You built your walls too high
And there's no one to love you when you build your walls too high
There is no one, who is strong enough, to save your love
There's no fairytale, There's no fairytale
When all she needs, and all she wants, and all she finds
When all she is, and ever was, is compromised
Cause there's no one to love her
You built your walls too high
And there's no one to love you when you trap yourself inside
Ghostという曲は既に２曲取り上げています。ひとつはFrom Indian Lakesのもので，歌詞の中で主人公が「今の自分はあの頃の，自分の抜け殻みたいなもんだ」と嘆いています。 http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/11/ghost-from-indian-lakes.html そしてもうひとつがMystery SkullsのGhostです。http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/12/ghost-mystery-skulls.htmlどちらの曲もghostなのは主人公自身ですが，この曲は違っており，歌詞に登場するghostは主人公自身ではありません。
この点についてElla Henderson自身はspotlightreport.netで「ghostは実際にはちょっとしたメタファーで，人に憑りついて苦しめるもので，文字通りどんなに願っても逃げ切れないものそこからは逃られないもの。そのせいで食欲もなくなり，眠れなくなっても，そのことを忘れられないし，そこからも逃げられないということ」と説明しています。
I've already posted two other songs titled 'Ghost'. One of them is Ghost by From Indian Lakes in which the protagonist laments that "Now I'm a ghost of what I once was". http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/11/ghost-from-indian-lakes.html The other is Mistery Skulls'. Ghost. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2014/12/ghost-mystery-skulls.html In both songs, it's the protagonist who is a ghost but in this song, it's not. 'Ghost' in the lyrics isn't the protagonist herself.
As for this, Ella Henderson herself explained to spotlightreport.net "And the title for Ghost came and is used like a bit of metaphor really, of something or someone that has a hold of you and is torturing you and you literally can’t get away from them as much as you want too. I mean you can’t eat, you can’t sleep and you can’t give it up or runaway from it." Ghost (Ella Henderson)
[Chorus]
I keep going to the river to pray
Cause I need something that can wash out the pain
And at most
I'm sleeping all these demons away
But your ghost, the ghost of you
It keeps me awake
[Verse 1]
My friends had you figured out
Yeah they saw what's inside of you
You tried hiding another you
But your evil was coming through
These eyes sitting on the wall
They watch every move I make
Bright light living in the shade
Your cold heart makes my spirit shake
I had to go through hell to prove I'm not insane
Had to meet the devil just to know his name
And that's when my love was burning
Yeah it's still burning
[Chorus](2x)
[Verse 2]
Each time that I think you go
I turn around and you're creeping in
And I let you under my skin
Cause I love living innocent
Oh you never told me
True love was gonna hurt
True pain I don't deserve
Truth is that I never learned
[Chorus](2x)
[Bridge]
Give up the ghost
Give up the ghost
Give up the ghost
Stop the haunting baby
Give up the ghost
Give up the ghost
Give up the ghost
No more haunting baby
Marilyn MonroeとJane Russellの主演した「紳士は金髪がお好き」を思い出しました。この曲に爆笑した私ですが，それはこの歌詞に歌われていることがある意味当たっているものの，全くその通りではないことがわかっているからです。「かわいくて若い」ままでいることなど不可能です。物理法則に反していますが，そこにこの曲の面白さがあります。
It reminds me of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. I found the song hilarious because I know what the lyrics say is partly true but not entirely so. It's impossible for us to stay young and beautiful forever. It's against the laws of physics and that makes the song interesting. Keep Young and Beautiful (Annie Lennox)
What's cute about little cutie?
It's her beauty, not brains
Old father time will never harm you
If your charm still remains
After you grow old baby,
You don't have to be a cold baby
Keep young and beautiful,
It's your duty to be beautiful
Keep young and beautiful,
If you want to be loved.
Don't fail to do your stuff
With a little powder and a puff.
Keep young and beautiful if you want to be loved.
If you're wise, exercise all the fat off,
Take it off, off of here, off of there
When you're seen anywhere with your hat off,
Wear a marcel wave in your hair
Take care of all those charms,
And you'll always be in someone's arms
Keep young and beautiful if you want to be loved.
リード文で述べた「紳士は金髪がお好き」。ただの能天気なだけの映画だと思っていたのですが，以前たまたま見た時，Marilyn Monroe演じるLorelei Leeが，実はバカのフリをしているだけで自分なりの哲学を持っている女性だったとわかって驚いた記憶があります。劇中で歌われるDiamonds Are a Girl's Best Friendといい，ちょっとヒネリのある面白い映画でしたが，この曲とDiamonds Are a Girl's Best Friendは，基本的に同じベクトル上にあると思います。
サッカーのシミュレーション・ゲームであるFIFA 15のサウンド・トラックの最初に入っている曲です。AviciiのThe Daysは復活愛を描いたものでしたが，こちらThe Nightsは，人生を思う存分生きるというということがテーマのようです。
まさに私が14歳の頃に考えていたことなのですが，ただ多少明後日の方向へ行っていたことは否めません。自分のやりたいことをやるということは，必ずしも勉強をおろそかにするということではないので，当然のことながら，悲惨な結果になりました。あの「思い出は色褪せず，ずっと消えずに残」っているのですが，できれば消えてもらいたいところです。
This song is the first track from FIFA 15, an association football simulation video game released last autumn. While Avicii's The Days was about love re-ignited, this song The Nights is about living our lives to the fullest.
That's exactly what I did when I was 14 but in a wrong way. Doing whatever you like doesn't necessarily mean that you should study less or never. The result was disastrous, of course. These are "memories we knew would never fade." I wish they did, though. The Nights (Avicii)
(Lyric Video)
Hey, once upon a younger year
When all our shadows disappeared
The animals inside came out to play
Hey, when face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears
Made memories we knew would never fade
One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away"
He took me in his arms, I heard him say,
"When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can't put out
Carve your name into those shining stars
He said, "Go venture far beyond the shores.
Don't forsake this life of yours.
I'll guide you home no matter where you are."
One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away."
When I was just a kid I heard him say,
"When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
この曲に共感できる人がいるんでしょうか？おそらくいるんでしょうが私は違います。今まで人気者であったことなど一度もありませんし今後もないと確信しています。ただ，学生時代人気のある同級生のいる世界から完全に浮いていた私ですが，不思議なことにそれがそれほどイヤではありませんでしたし，そういう浮いた自分が結構気に入っていたように思います。
Is there anyone who can relate to this song? Probably some but I don't. I've never been popular and am pretty sure that I will never be. When I was at school, I didn't belong to the world where some of my popular classmates did. However, I somehow liked it and was proud of being different. Popular (Nada Surf)
Three important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people, say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she prefers the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby--you'll remain friends
I'm head of the class (I'm popular)
I'm a quarter back (I'm popular)
My mom says I'm a catch (I'm popular)
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick
Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Jonny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you like his article in the newspaper
I'm the party star (I'm popular)
I've got my own car (I'm popular)
I'll never get caught (I'm popular)
I make football bets
I'm the teacher’s pet
I propose we support a one month limit on going steady
I think it will keep people more able to deal with weird situations
And get to know more people
I think if you're ready to go out with Jonny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He won’t mind he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating
And once you've dated someone else you can date him again
I'm sure he'll like it
Everyone will appreciate it
You're so novel, what a good idea
You can keep your time to your self
You don't need date insurance
You can go out with whoever you want to
Every boy, every boy, in the whole world could be yours
If you'll just listen to my plan
THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO POPULARITY
I'm head of the class (I'm popular)
I'm a quarter back (I'm popular)
My mom says I'm a catch (I'm popular)
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick
I'm the party star (I'm popular)
I've got my own car (I'm popular)
I'll never get caught (I'm popular)
I make football bets
I'm the teacher’s pet
あああーその場にいたかった！下のミュージック・ヴィデオを見るとわかると思いますが，会場にいた出席者はMaroon 5の登場に熱狂しています。そりゃそうでしょう。私だってその場にいたら大騒ぎします。そもそもこの状況で冷静でいられる人なんているんでしょうか？（反語）
ところで，ヴィデオの後半では，調理場の男性は呆気に取られ，花婿は驚き，ブライズメイド（花嫁の介添え人）は大喜び，花嫁も・・・ちょっと待ってくださいよ。花嫁，ちょっとはしゃぎ過ぎじゃないですか？夫ではなく師匠の方に心を奪われているんじゃ・・・。
OMG! How I wish I had been there! Watching the music video below, you'll see people in the hall went wild over the appearance of Maroon 5. I don't doubt it. I'd go wild too if I were there. Who can stay calm in that situation in the first place? Nobody can, I believe.
Anyway, in the last half of the video, a man in the kitchen was stunned, bridegroom was surprised, bridesmaids were frenzied with joy and bride also went wild... wait a minutes. Doesn't she look a bit overjoyed? I'm afraid that she became more enthralled with Adam Levine not with her husband. Sugar (Maroon 5)
[Verse 1]
I'm hurting baby, I'm broken down
I need your loving, loving I need it now
When I'm without you, I'm something weak
You got me begging, begging I'm on my knees
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna be needing your love
I just wanna be deep in your love
And it's killing me when you're away
Oh baby
Cause I really don't care where you are
I just wanna be there where you are
And I gotta get one little taste
[Chorus]
Your sugar, yes please
Would you come and put it down on me?
I'm right here, cause I need
Little love, a little sympathy
Yeah you show me good loving, make it alright
Need a little sweetness in my life
Your sugar, yes please
Would you come and put it down on me?
[Verse 2]
Babe, My broken pieces, you pick them up
Don't leave me hanging, hanging come give me some
When I'm without you, I'm so insecure
You are the one thing, one thing I'm living for
[Pre-Chorus + Chorus]
[Bridge]
I want that red velvet
I want that sugar sweet
Don't let nobody touch it unless that somebody's me
I gotta be a man, there ain't no other way
Cause girl you're hotter than the Southern California Bay
And I wanna play no games, and you don't gotta be be afraid
Don't give me all that shiny shit
No make-up on, that's my sugar
この曲でStingが扱っている内容は，以前取り上げた彼のAnd Yetで語られているものと基本的に同じ内容で，http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2013/10/and-yet-sting.html 主人公が，手遅れになるまでになんとかして事態を収拾しようとします。この曲では，相手が別の男と結婚する場所へと急いで主人公ですが，果たして彼は間に合うのか？
歌詞では「日付が変わる真夜中まで，25分しか残っていない」となっていますが，わかりやすくするために，ここでは残り時間30分で15マイルということにしましょう。この場合，彼の乗っている列車が時速30マイル以上のスピードであれば，彼は間に合いますが，そうでなければ手遅れです。時速30マイルをメートル換算すると48㎞。東京の地下鉄東西線の場合，快速なら49㎞，普通なら43㎞ということなので，これらの数字だけ見れば，運よく快速に乗れれば間に合う計算ですが，実際には25分しかないので，そこを考えると間に合わない可能性が高そうです。
What Sting is talking about in this song is basically the same as he does in his And Yet I posted before. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2013/10/and-yet-sting.html The protagonist is trying to make things right before it's too late. In this song, he's hurrying to the place where the second person is going to marry other guy. Is he going to make it?
Well, as the lyrics say, "it's 25 to midnight". To make it simple, let's suppose that he has 30 minutes left and 15 miles to go. If the train he's on runs at faster than 30 miles per hour, he'd probably make it. Otherwise he'd be too late. 30 miles corresponds 48 km.
They say that rapid trains of Tozai line in Tokyo usually operate at about 49 km per hour and local ones about 43 km. These figure shows he can make it if he's lucky enough to take a rapid train but what he actually has is 25 minutes not 30 minutes. Considering these it's not very likely he can make it. Twenty Five To Midnight (Sting)
Train I ride don't be slow
If your whistle can blow
Fifteen miles down the track
Tell them I'm coming back
Counting poles counting sheep
Don't be slow I won't weep
If your wheels on the line
Were to put me on time
Just a year to the day
Since I went upon my way
To seek my fortune and fame
Be a star, change my name
And that's it more or less
Til this midnight express
I know I can't be late
Cause she said she won't wait
She'll just go marry Jack
So there's no turning back
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
Band I had got a break
Just one chance we had to take
Told my girl I'd be back
Left her with my friend Jack
New York City for a spell
Things didn't turn out so well
Every dive that we played
We were lucky we got paid
Mr Train driver please
If your speed you increase
Every cent I have now
Will be yours this I vow
And that's it more or less
Til this midnight express
I know I can't be late
Cause she said she won't wait
She'll just go marry Jack
So there's no turning back
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
We called ourselves the Latino Lovers
Hawaiian shirts and top forty covers
I didn't think I could sink this low
When drugs and booze ate all my dough
This isn't how it was meant to be
There's no such thing as a meal that's free
If I was ever to get out alive
I have to get home on time
Train I ride don't be slow
If your whistle can blow
Fifteen miles down the track
Tell them I'm coming back
And that's it more or less
Til this midnight express
I know I can't be late
Cause she said she won't wait
She'll just go marry Jack
So there's no turning back
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
最初にこの曲を耳にした時，気付くとテーブルの端を叩いてリズムを取っていました。その後も耳について離れず，その日一日頭のなかでずっとこの曲がかかりっぱなし。歩く時，PCのキーを打つ時，そして料理する時でさえ，この曲に合わせてしている状態でした。したがって下のミュージック・ヴィデオをご覧になる場合には自己責任でお願いいたします。
I found myself slapping the edge of the table in rhythm when I heard the song for the first time. It's so addictive that I couldn't stop the song playing in my mind for the rest of the day. I walk, hit keys on my PC and even cook to it. So if you're going to play the music video below, please do it with your own responsibility. Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars)
[Verse 1]
This hit, that ice cold
Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold
This one, for them hood girls *
Them good girls
Straight masterpieces
Stylin', wilin'
Livin’ it up in the city
Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent
Gotta kiss myself I’m so pretty
[Pre-Chorus]
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Call the police and the fireman
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Make a dragon wanna retire man
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Say my name you know who I am
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Am I bad ’bout that money
Break it down
[Chorus]
Girls hit your hallelujah
Girls hit your hallelujah
Girls hit your hallelujah
Cause Uptown Funk gon’ give it to you
Cause Uptown Funk gon’ give it to you
Cause Uptown Funk gon’ give it to you
Saturday night and we in the spot
Don’t believe me, just watch
Don’t believe me, just watch
Don’t believe me, just watch
Don’t believe me, just watch
Don’t believe me, just watch
Don’t believe me, just watch
Hey, hey, hey, oh!
[Verse 2]
Stop
Wait a minute
Fill my cup put some liquor in it
Take a sip, sign the check
Julio! Get the stretch!
Ride to Harlem, Hollywood, Jackson, Mississippi
If we show up, we gon’ show out
Smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Call the police and the fireman
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Make a dragon wanna retire man
I’m too hot (hot damn)
Bitch, say my name you know who I am!
I’m too hot (hot damn)
And my band 'bout that money
Break it down
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
Before we leave
Lemme tell y’all a lil’ something
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
I said Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Come on, dance
Jump on it
If you sexy then flaunt it
If you freaky then own it
Don’t brag about it, come show me
Come on, dance
Jump on it
If you sexy then flaunt it
Well it’s Saturday night and we in the spot
[Part-Chorus]
[Outro]
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up
この主人公は，歌詞の中で「金銭を愛することはあらゆる悪の根源である」などと説教することもなく，ただ金や物欲といったものにいかに人間が左右されているかを語っているだけなので，歌詞だけを見ていると，主人公がそのことを肯定しているようにも取れるかもしれません。ただこれは「歌」であり，歌には歌詞だけではなく曲もついています。怒ったようなラップを聴けば，彼が物欲や金の亡者を軽蔑していることがわかります。
In the lyrics, the protagonist doesn't preach us anything like "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." He's just telling us how we are greedy and completely controlled by money, or possession. So looking at the lyrics alone, it may seem as if he seems to have no negative opinion on that. However, a song consists of lyrics and tunes. Listening to the tune, you'll notice his angry-sounding rap which indicates his despise of our greed and those who put money first. Money (Michael Jackson)
Money.
Money...
Lie for it
Spy for it
Kill for it
Die for it
So you call it trust
But I say it's just
In the devil's game
Of greed and lust
They don't care
They'd do me for the money
They don't care
They use me for the money
So you go to church
Read the Holy word
In the scheme of life
It's all absurd
They don't care
They'd kill for the money
Do or dare
The thrill for the money
You're saluting the flag
Your country trusts you
Now you're wearing a badge
You're called the "Just Few"
And you're fighting the wars
A soldier must do
I'll never betray or deceive you my friend but...
If you show me the cash
Then I will take it
If you tell me to cry
Then I will fake it
If you give me a hand
Then I will shake it
You'll do anything for money...
[Chorus:]
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
[Verse 2:]
Insurance?
Where do your loyalties lie?
Is that your alibi?
I don't think so
You don't care
You'd do her for the money
Say it's fair
You sue her for the money
Want your pot of gold
Need the Midas touch
Bet you sell your soul
Cuz your God is such
You don't care
You kill for the money
Do or dare
The thrill for the money
Are you infected with the same disease
Of lust, gluttoney and greed?
Then watch the ones
With the biggest smiles
The idle jabbers...Cuz they're the backstabbers
If you know it's a lie
Then you will swear it
If you give it with guilt
Then you will bear it
If it's taking a chance
Then you will dare it
You'll do anything for money...
[Chorus:]
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
[Verse 3:]
You say you wouldn't do it
For all the money in the world
I don't think so
If you show me the man
Then I will sell him
If you ask me to lie
Then I will tell him
If you're dealing with God
Then you will hell him
You'll do anything for money
Anything
Anything
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
Even sell my soul to the devil
この曲が印象に残っている理由は２つ。ひとつはCHVRCHESのMother We Shareと似た感じの曲であることで，http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2013/06/the-mother-we-share-chvrches.html もうひとつが曲のエンディングです。この曲，ドアの閉まるミュージック・ヴィデオに合わせるかのように唐突に終わります。あのドアは主人公とその相手が「末永く幸せに暮らした」という意味なのでしょうか？それとも主人公の思うようにならなかったという意味なのでしょうか？まあ前者でしょうけどね。
Two things make this song impressive to me. One is its affinity or similarity to Mother We Share by CHVRCHES. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2013/06/the-mother-we-share-chvrches.html The other is its ending. The song ends rather abruptly as if in sync with the music video in which a door is closing. Does the door represent that the protagonist and the second person "lived happily ever after"? Or she can't have the second person the way she wants? Probably the former is the case. Stay Together (Madi Diaz)
Losing all this time
I gave it, and now I've waited all my life
How did you know where to find me?
I've proved myself to you
Over and over, promise I'll be true
Believe me when I say it
Because I need to know that it's not just me
Say it out loud, I'll be right here listening
I can see it all
The longer we stay together
The mountains start to fall
As long as we stay together
I can see it all
Wake up every day
Life isn't easy, we live it anyway
We break through together.
On the other side
I was alone until you came and walked into my life
With you, it all got better
Tell me so I can hear it's not just me
Say it out loud, I'll be right here listening
I can see it all
The longer we stay together
The mountains start to fall
As long as we stay together
I can see it all
As long as we stay together
As long as we stay together, together
When it feels so right
It's always worth the fight
And it feels so right
I know it's worth the fight
When it feels so right
And it feels so right
So right, so right
Yeah, it feels so right
I can see it all
The longer we stay together
The mountains start to fall
As long as we stay together
As long as we stay together
I can see it all
The longer we stay together
The mountains start to fall
As long as we stay together
As long as we stay together
I can see it all
We stay together
As long as we stay together
We stay together
この曲はあの有名なStand By Meをサンプリングしています。耳にするとなんとなく懐かしい感じがするのはおそらくそのせいでしょう。
この曲には出会ったのは数年ほど前。合唱団指揮者のGareth Maloneが，イギリス最大の男子校で合唱団を組織し，ロンドンの Royal Albert Hallで歌わせるという企画があり，そのBoys Don't Sing Revisitedという番組を通してこの曲を知りました。
This song samples that famous Stand By Me and probably that's why we instantly feel something familiar when we hear the song.
I came across this song about few years ago through a TV show Boys Don't Sing Revisited in which an English choirmaster Gareth Malone organized a boy choir at one of the largest all-boys comprehensives in the UK to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Beautiful Girls (Sean Kingston)
[Chorus:]
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal
When you say it's over
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do you dirt
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it's over
[Verse 1:]
See it started at the park
Used to chill after dark
Oh when you took my heart
That's when we fell apart
Cause we both thought
That love lasts forever (lasts forever)
They say we're too young
To get ourselves sprung
Oh we didn't care
We made it very clear
And they also said
That we couldn't last together (last together)
[Refrain:]
See it's very define girl,
one of a kind
But you mash up my mind
You have to get declined
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy
[Repeat Chorus]
[Verse 2:]
It was back in '99
Watchin' movies all the time
Oh when I went away
For doin' my first crime
And I never thought
That we was gonna see each other (see each other)
And then I came out
Mami moved me down South
Oh I'm with my girl
Who I thought was my world
It came out to be
That she wasn't the girl for me (girl for me)
[Repeat Refrain and Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
Now we're fussin'
And now we're fightin'
Please tell me why
I'm feelin' slighted
And I don't know
How to make it better (make it better)
You're datin' other guys
You're tellin' me lies
Oh I can't believe
What I'm seein' with my eyes
I'm losin' my mind
And I don't think it's clever (think it's clever)
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal, suicidal...
最終的には「なあ，お前は無駄にイケてるから」となったわけですが，敢えて「無駄に」という表現にしたのは，You're way too beautiful, girlのway tooで比べている対象が，主人公の恋人として必要とされる「美しさ」のはるか上をいっていると思われるためです。いわば「そこまでの美しさは求めてへん」的な感じでしょうか。
通常オリジナルには相当の敬意を払っていますし，また多くの場合，そうすることが当然でしょう。今回もAriana Grandeのオリジナルの素晴らしさを問題にするつもりはありませんし，オリジナルがあったからこそ，この素晴らしい歌詞を知ることができたわけですが，ただ今回この曲を取り上げるキッカケになったのはオリジナルではありません。とにかくDavid Soによるカヴァーをお聴きください。そうすればご理解いただけます。
I usually pay a great respect to the original and in many cases I think it's fair. This time I'm not arguing the original by Ariana Grande is beautiful. It's the original that brought me to the great lyrics. She's awesome, of course but that's not the reason I picked up the song here. Just listen to the David So cover. You'll know what I mean. Honeymoon Avenue (Ariana Grande)
(David So Cover)
I looked in my rear view mirror and
It seemed to make a lot more sense
Than what I see ahead of us, ahead of us, yeah.
I'm ready to make that turn
Before we both crash and burn
Cause that could be the death of us, the death of us, baby
You know how to drive in rain
And you decided not to make a change
Stuck in the same old lane
Going the wrong way home
I feel like my heart is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic,
I'm under pressure
Cause I can't have you the way that I want
Let's just go back to the way it was
When we were on Honeymoon Avenue
Honeymoon Avenue
Baby, coastin' like crazy
Can we get back to the way it was?
Hey, what happened to the butterflies?
Guess they encountered that stop sign
And my heart is at a yellow light, a yellow light
Hey, right when I think that we found it,
Well, that's when we start turning around
You're saying, "Baby, don't worry,"
But we're still going the wrong way, baby
You know how to drive in rain
And you decided not to make a change
Stuck in the same old lane
Going the wrong way home
I feel like my heart is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic,
I'm under pressure
Cause I can't have you the way that I want
Let's just go back to the way it was
When we were on Honeymoon Avenue
Honeymoon Avenue
Baby, coastin' like crazy
Can we get back to the way it was?
They say only fools fall in love
Well, they must've been talking about us
And sometimes I feel like I've been here before
I could be wrong, but I know I'm right
We gon' be lost if we continue to fight
Honey I know, yeah,
We can find our way home
I feel like my heart is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic,
I'm under pressure
Cause I can't have you the way that I want
Let's just go back to the way it was
When we were on Honeymoon Avenue
Honeymoon Avenue
My baby, coastin' like crazy
Can we get back to the way it was?
When we were on Honeymoon Avenue
Honeymoon Avenue
Baby, coastin' like crazy
Can we get back to the way it was?
Baby, you know how to drive in rain
You decided not to make a change
Stuck in the same old lane
Going the wrong way home
I feel like my heart is stuck in... traffic,
I'm under..., pressure, pressure
Let's just go back to the way it was
When we were on...
(Honeymoon Avenue, Honeymoon Avenue, Honeymoon Avenue, Honeymoon Avenue)
車と車の運転をテーマに，主人公とその相手の恋の行方をメタファーで描き出している素晴らしい歌詞です。冒頭の連に登場する「バックミラー (my rear view mirror)」は，おそらく以前の自分たちの姿を表したものでしょうし，同じ連に登場する「徹底的に傷ついて，すっかりダメになりそうで (crash and burn)」は，車の事故の「衝突後炎上」と掛けた表現でしょう。
また「雨の日に，車を運転する時は (how to drive in rain)」は，ギクシャクし始めた２人の関係を表すメタファーと思われますし，「いつも通りのやり方で，運転したもんだから，いつものあの車線から，どうやっても出られない (And you decided not to make a change, Stuck in the same old lane)」は，主人公2人が同じ諍いを繰り返していることを表しているのでしょう。
Nickelbackのミュージック・ヴィデオには，歌詞の内容と密接につながっているものが少なくありません。このヴィデオもそのひとつ。最初は，主人公が恋人との別れるところで，相手を引き留めようとしているように思えるかもしれませんが，それがヴィデオの内容ではありません。無論それも全くの間違いというわけではありませんが，ヴィデオをじっくりご覧になれば，私の言わんとするところがおわかりいただけると思います。
Many of Nickelback's music videos are closely linked to what their songs are about. This one is one of them. At first, you may think the protagonist in the video are breaking up with her girlfriend and trying to hold her back. That's not what the video is all about. Well, that's not altogether wrong, though. Watch the video closely, you see what I mean. Someday (Nickelback)
How the hell did we wind up like this?
Why weren't we able, to see the signs that we missed
And try turn the tables
I wish you'd unclench your fists, and unpack your suitcase
Lately there's been too much of this
But don't think it's too late
Nothing's wrong, just as long as
You know that someday I will
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
Well I'd hope that since we're here anyway
That we could end up saying
Things we've always needed to say
So we could end up staying
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror
Nothing's wrong, just as long as
You know that someday I will
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
[Solo]
How the hell did we wind up like this?
Why weren't we able, to see the signs that we missed
And try to turn the tables
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror
Nothing's wrong, just as long as
You know that someday I will
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right but not right now
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
I know you're wondering when
(You're the only one who knows that)
I know you're wondering when
AdeleのRolling In The Deepと同様に「復讐」を歌った曲です。大変怖い曲ですが，同時に大変にスリリングで，この曲を耳にした時の気持ちは，なかなか上手く表現できません。決して歌詞に登場する相手のような状況に自分がいるわけではありませんが，何故か自分にも非があるような気になりました。http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2011/09/rolling-in-deep-adele.html
This is a song of revenge, just like Adele's Rolling In The Deep. It's so menacing but so thrilling at the same time. I don't know how to describe the feeling I felt when I first heard this song. I'm not saying that I'm in the exact situation which the second person in the lyrics is in right now. Listening to the music, however, I felt guilty for some reason. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2011/09/rolling-in-deep-adele.html Hard Time (Seinabo Sey)
(Lyric Video)
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Took me for granted
But call it love if you will
I'm aware of this
I did let you in
Sink for you to swim
Dancing on the ledge
Tried to make you stay
I did let you win
Broke to what became
Became you & me
Try to mend it but
I can't bend the truth
Bricks are caving in
Oh how sweet this sin
I left you the keys
You won't let me in
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Left me on the floor
Now I'm at the shore
Here's change you can keep
Sold yourself too cheap
Thought you got away
This here ends today
You thought hell was hard
Let me show you now
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
This time I will be
Louder than my words
Walk with lessons that
Oh, that I have learned
Show the scars I've earned
In the light of day
Shadows will be found
I will hunt them down
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
Hard time forgiving
Even harder forgetting
Before you do something
You might regret friend
この点もまさに，AdeleのRolling In The Deepにある「心に灯った怒りの炎が，やがて燃え上がり，色んなことが見えてきた，今なら正体がはっきり分かる，もし裏切ったら浮気癖をばらしてやる (There's a fire starting in my heart, Reaching at fevered pitch and it's bringing me out the dark. Finally, I can see you crystal clear, Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare.)」と同じベクトル上にある表現でしょう。 http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.jp/2011/09/rolling-in-deep-adele.html
歌詞を見る前に，主人公が誰に対して話しかけているのか考えてみてください。Happy Birthdayという題名を見た時，我々は通常それが主人公）の家族や友人そして当然恋人に宛てたものだと考えますが，実はこの曲はそのどれでもありません。この曲の場合，おそらく主人公（つまりStevie Wonder）は，相手に直接会ったことは一度もないと思われます。
Before taking a look at the lyrics, just imagine who's the protagonist in the lyrics is talking to. We usually think the song is about someone the protagonist loves, such as their family, friends and of course their lover when we see the title like 'Happy Birthday'. Actually, this song is none of them. Probably the protagonist (I mean the artist Stevie Wonder) never met the second person in person. Happy Birthday (Stevie Wonder)
You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should never be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday
We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so
