During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums until October 2010. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi wo Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan, while his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.
Signing with Sony, he released his first single in 1995, but to no great success. Hirai used the next four years to consolidate his style and take time out - he only released one single each in 1997 and 1998 and did not produce any new music during 1999. Fans waited until 2000 for a third album from Hirai, The Changing Same. It was the first single, "Rakuen" (楽園, Paradise), that established him as a major player in the Japanese sales charts and overseas. He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo Theater in New York, where he got a warm reception. Capitalizing on a strong fan base in Asia, Hirai appeared at the MTV Music Summit in Taiwan in August 2000. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.
Precious Junk
平井堅 Lyrics
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傷つかぬように うつむいて 足早に歩き出す
ぶつかった肩から いらだちを吐いた
だけど 振り返ればそこに うなだれた僕がいる
いつもこのままじゃ夢さえも逃げて行く
凍えた想い 溶かしたい
いつかこの僕を飛び超えられたなら
行き交う靴音に流されず
歩いて行くことが出来るだろう
たくさんの言葉溢れすぎて 本当が見つからない
心映す鏡曇ったまま 磨くこと忘れてた
風に揺れる木々が街を奏でる
今はつぶやく唇に 唄うこと教えたい
いつも愛されることばかり願ってた
愛することを恐れてた
たとえ今日の日が過去の繰り返しでも
翼に変わる筈のガラクタを 探し続けることをやめたくない
いつもこのままじゃダメなことわかってた
「このまま」を今終わらせよう
いつかこの僕を飛び越えられたなら
行き交う靴音に流されず 歩いて行けるだろう
いつも愛されることばかり願ってた
愛することを恐れてた
いつか大切な人を包み込んだら
翼に変わる筈のガラクタは 僕の胸の中で翔くよ
"Precious Junk" by 平井堅 is a song that expresses the struggles and insecurities of the singer as they navigate through life. The lyrics depict a sense of lost identity and the desire to break free from the cycle of self-doubt and fear. The opening lines talk about standing still in a flowing city, unable to find a smile. The singer walks quickly, bowing their head to avoid getting hurt, symbolizing their tendency to hide away from confrontation or vulnerability.
The chorus reflects the longing for change and growth. The singer wants to melt their frozen emotions and dreams, yearning to be able to walk through life without being swayed by the sound of passing footsteps. The song beautifully portrays the internal struggle of feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of words and the inability to find the truth amidst them. The mirror that reflects the heart remains clouded, forgotten to be polished.
The song also touches upon the fear of love and the desire to be loved. The singer confesses that they always wished to be loved but were afraid to love in return. Even if today seems like a repetition of the past, they do not want to give up searching for the "junk" that can transform into wings. The desire to overcome fear and embrace love is the driving force behind their journey.
Overall, "Precious Junk" is a heartfelt reflection on the challenges of self-discovery, the search for love, and the determination to transform one's insecurities into strengths.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ken Hirai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind