(中森明菜, Akina Nakamori) is a Japanese pop singer and actress born on 13 July… Read Full Bio ↴(中森明菜, Akina Nakamori) is a Japanese pop singer and actress born on 13 July 1965 in Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan. She was one of the most popular singers in 1980s Japan. Best known for 難破船 (Nanpasen), Nakamori made her debut on May 1, 1982 with the single スローモーション (Slow Motion). One of her best-known performances remains that of Desire where she came out in a white kimono and wig, leaving everyone with a very strong image of her. Her own image was always more mature than that of her companions, and her voice much lower and huskier.

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.

Nightmare
中森明菜 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

追いつめられた時野獣に変わった
忍び寄るあなたに牙をむいた夜
振りほどく腕を捕み抱くのなら

素敵な悪夢胸にかざし NIGHTMARE
女豹を演じるの

最後の本音隠すあなた NIGHTMARE

買う気になれないわ

もて遊びたかった一夜のジャングルを
象牙色のピアス不意にはずされて
満ち足りるものがない時代だから

素敵な悪夢溺れ合って NIGHTMARE
孤独を確かめて

愛するための嘘も言えぬ NIGHTMARE
あなたを憐れむわ

私の嘆き裸にできるなら
あやつられるままに

素敵な悪夢醒まさないで NIGHTMARE
夢さえ見えないの

最後の本音隠すあなた NIGHTMARE
買う気になれないわ
愛するための嘘も言えぬ NIGHTMARE
あなたを憐れむわ

JUST SURRENDER IN MY HEART

Overall Meaning

The song "Nightmare" by Akina Nakamori speaks about a woman who has been pushed to her limit, and her inner beast is unleashed. She becomes aggressive and confrontational towards someone who has been creeping up on her, perhaps someone who has been trying to control or manipulate her. The lyrics describe her as a female leopard, ready to pounce and defend herself. She would rather embrace this ferocious side of herself and let it out, rather than hold back and let herself be taken advantage of. The chorus of the song speaks about this "lovely nightmare" that she is experiencing, perhaps something thrilling and exhilarating that is a welcome change from her mundane life.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the woman has been hurt and betrayed by this person who has been pursuing her. She talks about a time when she wanted to be played with and desired a one-night jungle adventure. However, now she realizes that she cannot be satisfied by such fleeting pleasures, and she feels lonely and empty. The song expresses her frustration and disappointment with love and the lies that people tell each other to maintain it. She feels sorry for the person who has hurt her but cannot forgive him and is unwilling to compromise her ideals.

Overall, the song is about a woman who has been pushed to her limit and has unleashed her inner aggression. It is also a commentary on the nature of love and how it can be a source of both joy and pain.

Line by Line Meaning

追いつめられた時野獣に変わった
When I was cornered, I transformed into a beast

忍び寄るあなたに牙をむいた夜
The night when I bared my fangs at you who approached me stealthily

振りほどく腕を捕み抱くのなら
If I catch your arm when you turn around

素敵な悪夢胸にかざし NIGHTMARE
A wonderful nightmare, I hold it close to my heart NIGHTMARE

女豹を演じるの
I play the role of a female leopard

最後の本音隠すあなた NIGHTMARE
You hide your true intentions until the end NIGHTMARE

買う気になれないわ
I can't bring myself to buy it

もて遊びたかった一夜のジャングルを
I wanted to play around in the jungle for a night

象牙色のピアス不意にはずされて
The ivory-colored earrings were unexpectedly removed

満ち足りるものがない時代だから
Because it's an era where there is nothing to be satisfied with

素敵な悪夢溺れ合って NIGHTMARE
Drowning in a wonderful nightmare, we are together NIGHTMARE