She attempted suicide in July 1989 in her then-boyfriend 近藤真彦 (Masahiko Kondo)'s apartment after discovering that 松田聖子 (Seiko Matsuda), her main competition, and her boyfriend were having an affair together. Afterward, she disappeared from the public eye and is rumored to have spent her days drinking heavily in Hawaii. Her career since her suicide attempt has never regained the popularity she experienced in the early- to mid-1980s. But she kept performing even after 1996. Her performances before Japanese audiences continue to be of high quality. Her 2000, 2002 and 2003 concerts attracted large numbers of fans. She still performs and releases original songs (as of 2005). She is also on the New Year’s TV show Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Mind Game
中森明菜 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
そっとタイプの手を止め ぼんやりと溜息
まるで恋のシナリオ先が見えない
愛されてるけれど物足りない
でも自由なままの心でいたい
我儘だね私 贅沢だわ
二人だけの MIND GAME
熱いシャワーを浴びたら貴方にすぐ逢いたい
こんな夜更けに一人で見てる夢 知りたい
恋はどんなピリオド待って終わるの?
愛しているけれど醒めていたい
涙だけの恋は卒業したの
明日の朝電話かけてみるわ
甘える素振りするのよ 素顔だけじゃ慣れてゆくから
はぐらかして MIND GAME
まるで恋のシナリオ先か見えない
愛されてる Ah Ha Ha 物足りない
でも自由なままの心でいたい
我儘だね Ah Ha Ha 贅沢だわ
誰もがみんな自分を愛してるだけじゃ悲しい
二人だけの MIND GAME
二人だけの MIND GAME
The lyrics of 中森明菜's song "MIND GAME" talk about the uncertain path of love and the desire to maintain individual freedom despite being in a relationship. The first stanza describes the snow falling in New York and the singer, with a sigh, taking a break from typing. She confesses that it feels like she cannot see what comes next in the "script" of her love life, suggesting that she is unsure about her relationship. She admits that even though she is loved, something is missing and that she wants to keep her heart free. She recognizes her selfishness and the luxury of wanting it all.
The second stanza speaks of how the singer wishes to meet her lover after taking a hot shower late at night. She confesses that she wants to know the dreams she has when she is alone. The lyrics then ask what kind of period love is waiting for, implying that she is unsure if her love is coming to an end. She recognizes that she is loved, yet she wants to remain awake and not give in to a mere fantasy. The chorus repeats that, even though she is loved, it is not enough, and she wants to be free. The song ends with the chorus repeating, "just the two of us playing mind games."
Interestingly, the phrase "MIND GAME" is repeated frequently throughout the song and is both the title and the refrain. The song is often associated with the 1980s Japanese New Wave music since it was released in 1985. This song was one of the several hits of Akina Nakamori that peaked on the Oricon’s Hit Chart in 1985, the fourth biggest seller, doing quite well for a January release.
Line by Line Meaning
白い粉雪 舞い散る窓に映る New York
The singer is looking out the window of New York where she sees the reflection of snowflakes gently falling.
そっとタイプの手を止め ぼんやりと溜息
She lets out a sigh and stops typing softly with one hand.
まるで恋のシナリオ先が見えない
It feels like the story of her love is missing a clear direction.
愛されてるけれど物足りない
She feels loved, but there is something missing, and she is not fully satisfied.
でも自由なままの心でいたい
Even with that, she wants to keep a free heart.
我儘だね私 贅沢だわ
She acknowledges that she may be selfish and it may seem extravagant.
誰もがみんな自分を愛してるだけじゃ悲しい
She understands that it's sad if everyone only loves themselves.
二人だけの MIND GAME
It's a game of the mind between just the two of them.
熱いシャワーを浴びたら貴方にすぐ逢いたい
After taking a hot shower, she wants to see her loved one immediately.
こんな夜更けに一人で見てる夢 知りたい
She wants to know the dreams she sees during these late nights alone.
恋はどんなピリオド待って終わるの?
What kind of ending awaits their love story?
愛しているけれど醒めていたい
She loves, but sometimes she wants to wake up from this dreamlike state.
涙だけの恋は卒業したの
She has moved on from a love that only brought tears.
明日の朝電話かけてみるわ
She plans on calling her loved one tomorrow morning.
甘える素振りするのよ 素顔だけじゃ慣れてゆくから
She wants to show some weakness, otherwise, their love will become mundane.
はぐらかして MIND GAME
She may try to avoid, but it's still a game of the mind.
愛されてる Ah Ha Ha 物足りない
She laughs but she still feels like something's missing despite being loved.
でも自由なままの心でいたい
Yet, she wants to keep her heart free.
我儘だね Ah Ha Ha 贅沢だわ
She recognizes that this may seem selfish and extravagant.
誰もがみんな自分を愛してるだけじゃ悲しい
She reiterates that it's sad if everyone only loves themselves.
二人だけの MIND GAME
Again, it's a game of the mind between just the two of them.
Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.