The 22-year-old half Japanese, half Korean American debuted under the synonym of "REIRA starring YUNA ITO" with her song Endless Story, which landed on number 2 of Oricon's single ranking. As Reira Serizawa from a quite popular manga, NANA, Ito's idenity was kept a secret until the end.
When NANA the movie finally released in Japan, people were going crazy about the wonderful, "high-pitched", voice of Ito and the movie song Endless Story ended its first day of sales on number 2 of Japan's Oricon charts. Ito was on magazine covers, posters and eventually had her first TV appearance on MUSIC STATION, performing Endless Story.
It was only in 2006 that her 2nd single, Faith / Pureyes, was put on the market. With Faith being ending theme to the drama, Unfair, and Pureyes being song for the Bioclen Zero commercial. This single sold about 50,000 copies which was a dissapointment considering "Endless Story" had outsold Mika Nakashima's "Glamorous Sky" with over 500,000 copies.
The third single for Ito was perhaps the biggest hit after the NANA-era. Precious was announced as theme song for the 2006 movie, "LIMIT OF LOVE ~Umizaru~". The single included two b-sides, I'm Free and Secrets, both co-written by Ito herself. Precious sold over 200,000 copies and was also the 2nd highest downloaded song in the first half of 2006 in Japan.
Sony later announced a 2-month Single Project. She covered These Boots Are Made For Walkin', for the Daihatsu "COO" commerical, featured on her 4th single stuck on you. She recently sang the Japanese ending theme song for TV show "LOST". losin' will be her 5th single.
On August 4th, 2006, Toho announced the role of Reira Serizawa in the sequel to NANA, NANA 2 will still be played by Ito. A 2nd single for REIRA starring YUNA ITO, Truth, has been scheduled for December 13th, 2006, release, with NANA 2 opening on December 9th, 2006.
In January 2007 she released her first album, HEART, which became a major success around Japan, hitting the pole positions on ORICON Daily, Weekly and Monthly Album Charts and sticking to the #1 on the United World Charts.
Ito's 7th single was announced to be released March 7, 2007, and was entitled "I'm Here", the movie theme to "UNFAIR". Along came "Reason Why", an insert song.
Achieving minor success with this single, Ito is to release a collaboration single with Micro from Def Tech, "Mahaloha", on June 27, 2007.
Her probably biggest success so far was the duet with her admired Celine Dion, "Anata ga iru kagiri ~A world to believe in".
Urban Mermaid
伊藤由奈 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
笑顔だけ曇る
無くしたものが 全てじゃないと
心に問う
それなりに大人 でも信じたい今は
I'm a beautiful mermaid
素直でいたい 私らしくある為に
孤独(ひとり)じゃないよ
笑顔が素敵な私が 好きだよ
鏡の中の 今の自分を
覗いて気付くの
特別じゃない けど大切な事かもね
手を伸ばした先に
都会(まち)のざわめき 映して
I'm a beautiful mermaid
裸のままが 私らしい強さなの
信じる意味を知っているから
優しい愛で泳いでく
喜び、悲しみも受け止めて行く
all my girls...
泣きたい時は 涙流していいの?
「Don't be afraid, naked heart.
I'll live by my way」
I'm a beautiful mermaid
素直でいたい 私らしくある為に
感じていたい 見つめあいたい
抱きしめたい この瞬間(とき)を
I'm a beautiful mermaid
裸のままが 私らしい強さなの
信じる意味を知っているから
優しい愛で泳いでく
笑顔が素敵なあなたが 好きだよ
I'm a beautiful mermaid ･･･
The lyrics of "Urban Mermaid" by Yuna Ito speak of the struggles of fitting in and accepting oneself in a fast-paced, modern society. The opening lines describe the brightness of the sky, which can overshadow even one's happiness. The singer then questions whether everything lost is truly everything, and seeks affirmation of her individuality. She admits to being an adult, yet still relying on the hope of being a beautiful mermaid. The singer expresses her desire to be sincere, to be herself, and to not be alone. She mentions the noisy city in which she swims and emphasizes the idea of being a mermaid, as it gives her strength and helps her overcome her pain. The chorus states that she likes herself in her smiling moments and that she takes strength from swimming with strong love. The second verse emphasizes the notion of facing reality, even when it is not special but still important. The line "all my girls" emphasizes the internal dialogue that the singer is having, suggesting that she is talking to herself and to other women who may be going through similar experiences. The singer then questions whether it is okay to cry and encourages herself to live with her heart open, accepting herself for who she is, just like a mermaid.
The song seems to be about embracing one's uniqueness and individuality even when it doesn't seem to fit with the norm of society. The metaphor of being a mermaid resonates throughout the song, representing the singer's strength and individuality, despite struggles with loneliness and isolation in a noisy and chaotic environment. The use of the word "beautiful" also emphasizes how the singer is not just any mermaid, but a beautiful one.
Line by Line Meaning
鮮やか過ぎる 空の青さに
The brilliance of the blue sky is too much to handle and it makes me feel less happy.
笑顔だけ曇る
Although I force myself to smile, my true emotions are clouded and unclear.
無くしたものが 全てじゃないと
I question whether or not everything I've lost truly defines me.
心に問う
I examine my heart and try to find the truth within it.
それなりに大人 でも信じたい今は
Although I'm an adult, I still want to believe in things that may seem unbelievable to others.
I'm a beautiful mermaid
I feel like a beautiful mermaid, confident in my own skin.
素直でいたい 私らしくある為に
I want to be honest with myself and remain true to who I am.
孤独(ひとり)じゃないよ
Even when I'm alone, I know that I have the support and love of others.
輝けるから 強い愛で泳いでく
I want to shine and swim strongly with the power of love.
笑顔が素敵な私が 好きだよ
I love the person I am when I'm able to smile and be happy.
鏡の中の 今の自分を
I take a look in the mirror to see my current self.
覗いて気付くの
As I peek in, I start to realize things that I didn't notice before.
特別じゃない けど大切な事かもね
Although it may not be special, it's still something that's important to me.
手を伸ばした先に
As I reach out, I know that something is waiting for me.
都会(まち)のざわめき 映して
The noise of the city reflects onto me.
裸のままが 私らしい強さなの
My true strength comes from being vulnerable and honest with myself.
信じる意味を知っているから
I know the meaning behind what I believe in and that keeps me going.
優しい愛で泳いでく
I swim with gentle love guiding me.
喜び、悲しみも受け止めて行く
I accept both happiness and sadness as they come.
all my girls...
This is a shoutout to all the women out there supporting and empowering each other.
泣きたい時は 涙流していいの?
Is it okay to cry when I feel like it?
「Don't be afraid, naked heart.
Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and open with yourself.
I'll live by my way」
I'll live my life in my own way, regardless of what others may say.
感じていたい 見つめあいたい
I want to feel and connect with those around me.
抱きしめたい この瞬間(とき)を
I want to embrace and cherish this moment in time.
あなたが 好きだよ
I love the person you are.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hiwatari Sutsuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind