“Leave your body at the door.”

Bullet points are totally necessary here.

I went to the Streetlight Manifesto concert at the Cleveland Agora last night with Stev.

Overall: A+ would do it again

Please read the ‘About’ page for information regarding my translations.

Probably one of my favorite songs by her =) Again, I only take credit for this particular english translation.

This song is from the single “Bodaiju” and is also on her album “Sharon Stones” (which I personally own)(hell yeah).

Banyan Tree

Don’t hide, because I’m protecting you from the freezing rain.
I hold both of my hands towards the sky,
a banyan tree blooming by you.

You amuse yourself by harshly teasing and bantering,
I’m carelessly groping around, I love you.

Like a bird taking flight,
your isolated and unfriendly back shakes.
I wait here, nothing but a perch.

Don’t hide, because I’m protecting you from the freezing rain.
I hold both of my hands towards the sky,
a banyan tree blooming by you.

Getting closer and then going away, your body temperature drops.
If I appear strong, everything will be okay.

The points of your dreams become more severe, piercing through your chest.
I’m here, eternally at your side.

Don’t waver anymore,
I’ll grab the sharp thorn sticking in you.
I’ll hold the wound until the day you smile.

Please, if you break down completely,
please, I want you to burn up this body
and wrap yourself with the ashes.

The amount of my love intensifies, intensifies, intensifies.

Don’t hide anymore, because I’m protecting you from the freezing rain.
I hold both of my hands towards the sky,
a banyan tree blooming by you.

Don’t waver anymore,
I’ll grab the sharp thorn sticking in you.
I’ll hold the wound until the day you smile.

菩提樹

ごまかさないで あなたに落ちる冷たい雨を嗅ぎわけて
両手を空に翳しているから
あなたに咲く菩提樹

軽はずみなふり　いたずらにからかい遊んでいるあなた
わたしは手探りしながら あなたを思う

飛び立つ鳥のように
孤独と孤高に揺れる背中
わたしはここで待つ　ただの止まり木でしかない

ごまかさないで あなたに落ちる冷たい雨を嗅ぎわけて
両手を空に翳しているから
あなたに咲く菩提樹

もたれかかりまた遠のいてく 冷めるあなたの体温
わたしはどれほどの強さを纏えばいい

夢の先はもっと過酷で あなたの胸を貫く
わたしはここにいる永くあなたの傍らに

もう迷わないで
あなたに刺さる鋭い棘を抜き取って
その傷口を抱いていてあげる
あなたが笑う日まで

どうかあなたご壊れてしまうのならば
どうかこの体を燃やしてほしい
そしてまた灰となってあなたを包み込む

募る募る募る　思いの数

もう ごまかさないで あなたに落ちる冷たい雨を嗅ぎわけて
両手を空に翳しているから
あなたに咲く菩提樹

もう迷わないで
あなたに刺さる鋭い棘を抜き取って
その傷口を抱いていてあげる
あなたが笑う日まで

Bodaiju

Gomakasanai de anata ni ochiru tsumetai ame wo kagiwakete
ryoute wo sora ni kazashite iru kara
anata ni saku bodaiju

Karuhazumi na furi itazura ni karakai asonde iru anata
Watashi wa tesaguri shinagara anata wo omou

Tobi tatsu tori no you ni
Kodoku to kokou ni yureru senaka
Watashi wa koko de matsu tada no tomarigi de shika nai

Gomakasanai de anata ni ochiru tsumetai ame wo kagiwakete
ryoute wo sora ni kazashite iru kara
anata ni saku bodaiju

Motarekakari mata toonoiteku sameru anata no taion
Watashi wa dore hodo no tsuyosa wo matoeba ii

Yume no saki wa motto kakoku de
Anata no mune wo tsuranuku
Watashi wa koko ni iru nagaku anata no katawara ni

Mou mayowanai de
Anata ni sasaru surudoi toge wo nukitotte
Sono kizuguchi wo daite ite ageru
Anata ga warau hi made

Douka anata ga kowarete shimau no naraba
Douka kono karada wo moyashite hoshii
Soshite mata hai to natte anata wo tsutsumikomu

Tsunoru tsunoru tsunoru omoi no kazu

Mou gomakasanai de anata ni ochiru tsumetai ame wo kagiwakete
ryoute wo sora ni kazashite iru kara
anata ni saku bodaiju

Mou mayowanai de
Anata ni sasaru surudoi toge wo nukitotte
Sono kizuguchi wo daite ite ageru
Anata ga warau hi made

In the PV, she is shown caring for someone who looks like they are supposed to be insane or unstable. The whole of the song reflects unconditional love; she loves this person despite the fact that they are rash and aloof, and she wouldn’t mind them completely ruining her if it would help them. She says she is a banyan tree, growing next to them. Those things are huge and undoubtedly strong. If you don’t know what a banyan tree is, google it or something. It’s a massive freaking fig tree. She is strong like said fig tree and wants to protect this person.

So, let me just rave about how epic this song is for a moment. The strings combined with just enough guitar distortion nearly makes me wet myself it’s so fantastic. And her voice is just great. Prior to Bodaiju, she released three indies singles, but none of them really demonstrated the abilities of her voice range. She hits the high notes and touches the low notes in ways you’d expect from an opera singer. It’s fabulous.

Please read the ‘About’ page for information regarding my translations.

The song is titled “Lion” and it’s from the album “MEG & LiON” by Amano Tsukiko. I only take credit for this english translation. If you’re seeing lots of question marks, it means your browser doesn’t support japanese characters.

Lion
Kind rays of sunlight, the soft voices of birds,
the rooms of the house you loved have become empty.
The paint is chipping and falling away
from the intricate, stained plates we bought.

Closing the lid to restrict
all of that intimate sports equipment,
the wide room being fixed was a fake cheerful.

Lion,
We’re getting out of this cage that’s too tight.
We’ll always smile like this, won’t we.

My face wrinkles and the thickness of my eyelids
are different in the old photographs, since I’ve lost my apetite now.
Your hair looks like an amber mane,
reaching down your side to your hip.

That sharp look hides in the corner of your eye,
a lonely day’s work.
The thought of painting with my own color.

Lion,
We’re getting out of this cage that’s too tight.
I suppose we’ll put an end to this and look for similar people.

[I love you so much…lion.]

Lion,
We’re getting out of this cage that’s too tight.
Wherever I am, don’t look for me anymore.

Lion,
I’ll talk to you from this cage that’s too tight.
We’ll always smile like this, won’t we.

優しい陽射し　柔らかな鳥の声
空っぽになる　あなたの愛した間取り
剥がれ落ちたペンキの細かな屑
ふたつ買った染みのついた皿

馴染んだそのすべての遊び道具を固く縛り蓋をした
広く蘇る部屋
嘘みたいに明るい

ライオン
詰くなった檻から出ていくふたり
ずっと同じように笑っているだろうか

古い写真　今よりわたしは細く
顔の皺も　目蓋の厚さも違う
あなたの方は　腰に届くような髪
琥珀色のたてがみに見えた

鋭いその視線の裏に潜む
孤独な日々の営みを
わたしという絵具で
塗り潰せると思った

ライオン
詰くなった檻から出ていくふたり
また似てる人を探してしまうだろうか

[I love you so much…lion.]

ライオン
詰くなった檻から出ていくふたり
もう何処に居てもわたしを探さないで

ライオン
詰くなった檻からあなたを話そう
ずっと同じように笑っているだろうか

LION

Yasashi hizashi yawarakana no tori no koe
Karappo ni naru anata no ai shita madori
Hagare ochita penki no komakana kuzu
Futatsu katta shimi no tsuita sara

Najinda sono subete no asobidougu wo
kataku shibari futa wo shita
Hiroku yomigaeru heya
Uso mitai ni akarui

LION
Kitsukunatta ori kara deteiku futari
Zutto onaji you ni waratte iru darou ka

Furui shashin ima yori watashi wa hosoku
Kao no shiwa mo mabuta no atsusa mo chigau
Anata no hou wa koshi ni todoku you na kami
Kohaku iro no tategami ni mieta

Surudoi sono shisen no ura ni hisomu
Kodoku na hibi no itonami wo
Watashi to iu enogu de
nuri tsubuseru to omotta

LION
Kitsukunatta ori kara deteiku futari
Mata niteru hito wo sagashite shimau darou ka

[I love you so much…lion.]

LION
Kitsuku natta ori kara deteiku futari
Mou doko ni itemo watashi wo sagasanai de

LION
Kitsukunatta ori kara anata wo hanasou
Zutto onaji you ni waratte iru darou ka

My overall interpretation: She was involved with a guy, the talk about being together in a small cage gave me the impression that they lived together, and “getting out of the cage” can suggest several things. I think maybe the song is about an unhealthy relationship, though. She elaborates a bit on how her physical appearance is deteriorating. The fact that Lion’s hair was so long can imply that they were together like this for a long time, long enough for his hair to grow down his sides and for the design on their plates to chip away. “Putting a lid” on the intimate sports equipment sounds typical of a woman who lives with a guy that watches sports all the time.

Towards the end of the song, she tells Lion that she loves him, but then not to look for her anymore. Then she tells Lion she’ll talk to him from the cage that’s too tight. Ah, a sad story of love. Always a possibility I could be reading into this way too much, though. You come here. You know how I am.

A LUNCH is Amano Tsukiko’s new side band/project. Thus far, they’ve released one mini album with the title “First Food” (1/11/07) and their debut single “MISTY,” was released on 12/5/07.

Since it’s been circulating the webs a bit, today I provide for you “MISTY” in zip format via MegaUpload in case those who care haven’t gotten it. Cheers.

1. MISTY
2. JET SCREAM
3. トカゲ

Download Link

A very quick opinion (since I am tired and want to sleep): “MISTY” kicks ass. I like this better than Amano’s latest solo release “HEAVEN’S GATE,” although I see many people disagreeing. “MISTY” is my favorite track (it is, afterall, the A-side) because it is slower while still maintaining some rock criteria, this could just be because of my mood as of late. “JET SCREAM” and “TOKAGE” (the third track) are on the less angry side and sound a little punk-y, which is all well and good, but I’ve been listening to “MISTY” the most. Try it for yourself, though.