Kazuyoshi Nakamura is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Tokyo currently act… Read Full Bio ↴Kazuyoshi Nakamura is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Tokyo currently active in the guitar group 100s (Hyaku-Shiki).

As a young boy influenced by Gogh and Marc Chagall Nakamura's first interest was painting, though from the age of 15 he turned to music.

Until the end of High School Nakamura composed with English lyrics but with no success. After graduation he confined himself to his grandparent's home and began writing in Japanese. According to his own writings, Nakamura wished for success more than anything.

At the beginning of 1995 he managed to sign with the five-d music agency (ファイブ・ディー) , and in 1997 rleased his first single 「犬と猫」, 'Dog and Cat'. He was proclaimed at the time as a genius by the noted music critic Shibuya Youichi, someone with pop sensibilities that only appear 「10年に1人」"once in every ten years", and Nakamura gained high praise in many music magazines.

To continuing critical and commercial success Nakamura's first album 『金字塔』 'The Monumental' was released. His sound was considered Lo-Fi with links to Beck, and popularized to some extent the idea of 'Home Recording' in Japan at the time.

Continuing his release success, Nakamura;s sound became more 'Rock' and 'Dance'-like, though staying firmly in the territory of Pop, and to date he has released a total of four original solo albums, numerous singles and a best-of collection in 2003.

Originating from a back-up group he worked with for live events Nakamura is currently writing music as part of the six-member group 100s (Hyaku-Shiki). His first release in the group came in 2004 and their first album 'OZ' release in 2005. Their second album 'ALL!!!!!!' is set to come out in May 2007.

ショートホープ
中村一義 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

飛び込んで行こうよ、
この手をつかめ。
飛び込んで行こうよ、行けるから。
「つまらねぇ」。
そんな気分に呑まれちゃって、
つまんねぇヤローになんないで。
「変わらねぇ」。
そればっか、まだ言うだけで、

君も変わらないんだねぇ。
まぁ、こっち向いて、
あれがダメだ、これがダメだ、
ばっかだったら、もうホント、
オレの全て、今の全て、
カラッポさ。
飛び込んで行こうよ、
その手をかして。
飛び込んで行こうよ、見えるから。
誰かが用意してくれた道の上、
上手く、乗れないんだよね。
体は帰れたって、いろんな想いは、
戻る場所がないんだぜ。
まぁ、こっち向いて、
誰のためか、何のためか
言う前にな、ちょっと、
底の奥の本当の声、聞かせてよ。
たとえ、離れ離れになって、
たとえ、共にいれなくても、
あの日にくれた声が今も、
本物ならば...飛び込んで行こう。
飛び込んで行こうよ、ねぇすぐに
誰のためか、理由つけて
吐く前に、もうホント、
君の奥の本当の声、聞かせてよ...
聞かせてよ。もうホント、
この一瞬が永遠というものだから。
飛び込んで行こうよ、
この手をつかめ。
飛び込んで行こうよ、行けるから。
行けるから。

飛び込んで行こうよ、

この手をつかめ。
飛び込んで行こうよ、行けるから。

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "ショートホープ" (Short Hope) by Nakamura Kazuyoshi. The lyrics convey a message of encouragement and determination to take a leap of faith. The singer encourages someone to take their hand and jump into the unknown, assuring them that they can do it. They express frustration with feeling bored and unchanged, urging themselves and the listener to turn their attention towards something more positive. The singer acknowledges that they may have made mistakes in the past, but they want to let go of their past and embrace the present. They want to jump into life with confidence, relying on their own strength and the belief that they can make it.

These lyrics inspire the listener to step out of their comfort zone, take risks, and embrace change. They emphasize the importance of listening to the true voice within oneself and not getting caught up in others' expectations or reasons. The recurring theme of jumping into the unknown reflects a sense of optimism and the willingness to explore new possibilities.

Line by Line Meaning

飛び込んで行こうよ、
Let's jump in and go,

この手をつかめ。
Hold onto this hand.

飛び込んで行こうよ、行けるから。
Let's jump in and go, because we can.

「つまらねぇ」。
"It's boring."

そんな気分に呑まれちゃって、
Being swallowed up by such feelings,

つまんねぇヤローになんないで。
Don't become a boring person.

「変わらねぇ」。
"It doesn't change."

そればっか、まだ言うだけで、
You just keep saying that,

君も変わらないんだねぇ。
You also don't change.

まぁ、こっち向いて、
Well, look this way,

あれがダメだ、これがダメだ、
That's no good, this is no good,