After 10 years, she became one of the best-selling artists of the decade and one of the most popular and influential artists in Japan.
Koda officially debuted with the single TAKE BACK in December 2000.
In 2002, after the release of several singles, she released her first studio album affection, which charted at #12.
Some success came her way when she was asked to do the main songs for the video game, "Final Fantasy X-2", with real Emotion/1000の言葉 (1000 words), Koda also provided the voice for the character Lenne in the Japanese version of the game as well as the character, "Yuna's", opening sequence dance via motion capture. The single proved to be a success, debuting at #3 and becoming Koda's first release to enter the top ten. It sold 282,734 copies and became the #24th highest-selling single of 2003. A few weeks later, Koda released her second studio album, grow into one, which debuting at #9.
In 2004, Koda released three more singles before the release of her 3rd studio album, feel my mind which again showed Koda's determinated progress, charting at #7.
From here on, Koda's success increased and her popularity rose with the release of her 11th single, a cover of 1970's anime opening, キューティーハニー, debuted at #4. This single also marked the start of Koda's to be trademark, new style: "ero-kakoii" (or "ero-Kawaii") which roughly translates as: "sexy-cool" or "sexy-cute". Koda's fourth album secret was released in February 2005. The album debuted #3 with 505,600 copie sold, making it the #22 album of 2005.
With Koda's popularity reaching new heights, she held her first live show, "secret ~FIRST CLASS LIMITED LIVE~", (later becoming one of the top 10 selling DVDs in Japan) and released her sixteenth single, Butterfly. Debuting at #2, it became her highest charting single of her career to date and was very well received by the Japanese public. Following this success, she released her first best-of compilation, BEST ~first things~. This is the album which is said to have skyrocketed her career, reaching #1 on the weekly charts and selling 1,207,793 copies, making it the #6 album of the year and the highest selling female album of 2005.
In December 2005, Koda Kumi began her 12 Singles Project in which she released one single each week for twelve consecutive weeks. The first single, you, became Koda's first ever #1 single. Each of the remaining singles from the project charted in the top five of the weekly singles chart. The success of the project was celebrated with the release of Koda's second best-of compilation album BEST ~second session~ which sold over a million copies in just over a week. It became the #2 album of 2006 with 1,768,628 copies sold. During this time, Kumi also won the 47th Nihon Record Taishō (best award prize in Japan) with Butterfly.
Her 30th single, 恋のつぼみ, the first single to be released since the 12 singles project, was released in May 2006 and debuted at #2 with 140,000 copies sold. The track became one of the most downloaded single of the year, with more than 2 millions legal downloads in just a few weeks. After the release of several successful singles, including 4 hot wave (a maxi summer single) and 夢のうた, which had become her #1 and #2 best selling singles with more than 300,000 copies sold, Koda released her fifth studio album, Black Cherry which remained at the #1 position for four weeks, selling more than 1 million copies. By the end of 2006, both BEST ~first things~ & BEST ~second session~ had nearly sold two million copies. Koda Kumi became the highest selling female artist of the year.
In 2007, Koda Kumi released several singles including 愛のうた, which became one of the most sung songs in Karaoke and one of the biggest hits from Koda’s discography. On the December 21st 2007, Koda Kumi became the seventh Japanese female artist to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome. During the concert, she celebrated the 7th year anniversary since her debut in front of 35,000 fans. By the end of the year, Kumi became, for the 2nd time running, the highest selling female artist of the year.
In January 2008, during the promotion of her 6th album, Kingdom, Kumi appeared as a guest on TBS radio show, "All Night Nippon". During which Koda mentioned her manager had recently got married and that she had asked her manager, "whether or not they would have children". When her manager replied that they wouldn't for the time being, Koda responded with her opinion that they ought to have children as soon as possible, as, "when women are around 35 years old their amniotic fluids go bad."
The comment was deemed so offensive that many radio shows and newspapers received angry complaints from women around the country. Koda's official website was shut down, along with endorser websites featuring her. Despite the public backlash, the album reached #1 on the Oricon charts for two weeks, selling over 600,000 copies.
4 months later, Koda made a return to the market with Moon Crying. Through the song, Koda expressed her real feelings and her apologies. The song quickly became a success and Koda was able to make a return to performing her songs on TV and radio. Shortly after the release of her 40th single, Koda released the upbeat single TABOO (to become one of the most popular song with her overseas fan-base) as well as the winter ballad single stay with me (which reached 2,000,000 downloads in few weeks) before the release of her 7th album : TRICK, which topped the Oricon Charts at #1 for 2 consecutive weeks.
In 2010, Koda celebrated the 10th anniversary of career beginnings, making it know that she wished to make the year special for her fans, the first project of the year was the release of her 8th album, UNIVERSE, coupled with a best album containing the biggest hits from her 2006~2008 works. During the year, she released several singles, including Lollipop & 好きで、好きで、好きで。, the later became her biggest digital success since 2008. She later released her first cover album, ETERNITY ~Love & Songs~, and held her first Stadium Tour in Summer 2010. In December, 2010, Koda Kumi hold a special concert in Tokyo Dome, for the 2nd time, in order to close the first chapter of her career with her fans.
Koda released her ninth studio album named Dejavu in March 2011. Shortly after its release, the singer started her national tour. Although Koda decided to perform in hall in order to be closer to her fans, this live tour is so far her longest tour to date with 72 dates from April to October.
Koda's 50th single was released August 2011 titled 4 TIMES. It included 4 songs as well as 4 music videos (first time since Summer 2006). The main song of the single is Poppin' love cocktail feat.TEEDA, a summer song produced by the pop rock band BACK-ON. The same year, she released 2 more singles where Koda shows the sexiest image of herself. In November 2011, Koda performed in Singapore for Mnet Asian Music Awards. She was the only Japanese star to perform and won the "Hottest Asian Artist" award. Koda's tenth album album was announced on December for a release in the beginning of 2012. Entitled , JAPONESQUE, the album includes a music video for each song, 17 in total. In the same time, Koda surprised everyone by writing on her official site that she is engaged to Kenji03 from BACK-ON. She announced her wedding by the end of the year. Few days after, Koda also confessed that she was 8 weeks pregnant.
NO ME WITHOUT YOU
倖田來未 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
光に照らされている私も私で
嘘じゃない
本当の自分 なんて未熟過ぎて
何もなくて
Baby, that's me?
幾度と思う give up fighting
だけど私 keep on trying
君が by my side
There's no me without you
歌い続ける my song
もがいては 苦しくて
泣きたくなっても
There's no me without you
何度も言って アンコール
伝わって欲しい I know it's true
There's no me without you
この道が間違いであっても
諦める事だけは
選ばない
傷つかないで『幸福』なんて
『強く』なんてなれない
Baby, I think
幾度と思う give up fighting
だけど私 keep on trying
もう一人じゃない
君が by my side
There's no me without you
歌い続ける my song
もがいては 苦しくて
泣きたくなっても
There's no me without you
何度も言って アンコール
伝わって欲しい I know it's true
誰もが不安抱え
生きている
誰かに支えられて
明日迎えてるんだ
We go, 'cause
There's no me without you
叫び続ける love you
息ができなくても あなたの為なら
There's no me without you
何度も言って アンコール
こんな私だけれど
There's no me without you
There's no me without you
The lyrics of Koda Kumi's song "NO ME WITHOUT YOU" convey a deep sense of self-awareness and reliance on the presence of a significant other. The singer reflects on her own imperfections and insecurities, acknowledging that she is still inexperienced in knowing her true self. The repetition of the line "Baby, that's me?" reveals her uncertainty and vulnerability, questioning whether she truly understands herself. Despite these doubts, she finds strength in continuing to strive and improve, with the reassurance that her partner is there by her side.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that the singer cannot exist without her partner, expressing that there is "no me without you." This dependency is reflected in her determination to keep singing her song even in times of struggle and pain. The plea for understanding and acknowledgment, as she repeats "There's no me without you," reinforces the importance of the relationship and the deep connection she feels.
As the lyrics delve into the fear of making mistakes and the refusal to give up, the singer grapples with the concept of happiness and strength. She acknowledges that she cannot achieve happiness or become strong on her own, indicating a reliance on her partner for support and emotional fulfillment. The repeated lines about not being able to give up fighting and the encouragement to keep trying suggest a resilience in the face of adversity, with the constant presence of her partner as a source of comfort and motivation.
The song concludes with a sense of unity and gratitude towards the partner, highlighting the theme of mutual support and the shared journey of navigating life's uncertainties. The declaration that "There's no me without you" is a powerful affirmation of the bond between two individuals and the recognition of the essential role that love and companionship play in shaping one's identity and sense of self. The final repetition of this line drives home the message that the singer's existence is intertwined with that of her partner, emphasizing the depth of their connection and the meaningful impact they have on each other's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
今この場所で 光に照らされている私も私で
Right now, in this place, I am illuminated by light as myself
嘘じゃない 本当の自分 なんて未熟過ぎて
It's not a lie, the true self is still too immature
何もなくて Baby, that's me?
Having nothing, is that me?
何度と思う give up fighting だけど私 keep on trying
How many times do I think of giving up fighting, but I keep on trying
もう一人じゃない 君が by my side
I'm not alone, you are by my side
歌い続ける my song もがいては 苦しくて 泣きたくなっても
Continuing to sing my song, struggling and feeling painful, wanting to cry
何度も言って アンコール 伝わって欲しい I know it's true
Saying it many times, encore, I want it to be understood, I know it's true
この道が間違いであっても 諦める事だけは 選ばない
Even if this path is wrong, I will not choose to give up
傷つかないで『幸福』なんて 『強く』なんてなれない
Not getting hurt, being 'happy' or 'strong' is impossible
誰もが不安抱え 生きている 誰かに支えられて 明日迎えてるんだ
Everyone carries anxiety, living with someone's support, facing tomorrow
叫び続ける love you 息ができなくても あなたの為なら
Continuing to shout 'love you', even if I can't breathe, it's for you
こんな私だけれど
Even if I'm like this
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Susan Markle, Matthew Tishler, Kumi Koda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
R
歌詞です！どうぞ！
今この場所で
光に照らされている私も私で
嘘じゃない
本当の自分 なんて未熟過ぎて
何もなくて
baby, That's me?
幾度と思う give up fighting
だけど私 keep on trying
もう一人じゃない
君が by my side
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
歌い続ける my song
もがいては 苦しくて 泣きたくなっても
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
何度も言って アンコール
伝わって欲しい I know it's true
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
この道が間違いであっても
諦める事だけは
選ばない
傷つかないで『幸福』なんて
『強く』なんてなれない
baby, I think
幾度と思う give up fighting
だけど私 keep on trying
もう一人じゃない
君が by my side
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
歌い続ける my song
もがいては 苦しくて 泣きたくなっても
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
何度も言って アンコール
伝わって欲しい I know it's true
誰もが不安抱え
生きている
誰かに支えられて
明日迎えてるんだ
We go,,, coz
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
叫び続ける love you
息ができなくても あなたの為なら
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
何度も言って アンコール
こんな私だけれど
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
There's NO ME WITHOUT YOU
なぎち
倖田來未のいる時代に生まれてきてほんとによかった
Hayato Koda
THE ARTISTの最初の登場で初めて聴いて
まだ未発表曲だったのに
ファンに向けて書いた歌詞ってのがすぐにわかって
涙が止まらなかった。
これからもアンコール言い続けるよ！
しーたん
私も、コンサートで聞いて涙が出ました‼️
K Y93**
バラードから始まるライブが珍しくて、鳥肌が止まらないまま涙腺崩壊しました
ゆぅ〜
いつもド派手に始まるLIVEやから未発表バラードのこの曲から始まったTHE ARTISTは新鮮と驚きでした。
walkに続き、くぅちゃんの歌う決意を感じられる名曲
msdripdrop
her ballads always sound the best, in my opinion 😍❣️❣️🌈
ほむもむ
好き。こうゆう聴かせる歌もっと歌って欲しい。
矢野るみ
なんて美しい作品MVなの✨これからもずっと歌ってねっ💝
ゆう
この道が間違いであっても諦める事だけは選ばない
その歌詞に何度救われた事か😭
大好きです😍
Beau Altenaar
この歌、まじですごいんだよ！大好き！