Saburō Kitajima (北島三郎, Kitajima Saburō, born October 4, 1936) is a well kn… Read Full Bio ↴Saburō Kitajima (北島三郎, Kitajima Saburō, born October 4, 1936) is a well known Japanese enka singer, lyricist and composer.

He was born Minoru Ōno (大野穣), in a little town in Hokkaidō, to a fisherman. He was very poor because of the effects of World War II, and he was forced to work while he studied.

When he was about to graduate from high school, he decided to become a singer. His debut single was called "Bungacha-Bushi," which was released in 1962.

He has many famous songs, including "Namida Bune" (1962), "Kyōdai Jingi" (1965), "Yosaku" (1978) and "Kita no Ryōba" (1986). His 1965 song "Kaerokana" was written by lyricist Rokusuke Ei and composer Hachidai Nakamura. He is very popular in Japan partly due to his looks of a physical laborer, and he mostly sings the spirit of Japan's working class and rural laborer. He often appears on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a TV program at the end of the year where many major Japanese singers gather to perform.

Kitajima released single "Fūfu Isshō" (夫婦一生, lit. "Couple in a Lifetime"?) on January 1, 2010 at the age of 73. It debuted at #10 on the Japanese Oricon weekly single charts. It became the first single to reach Top 10 by a solo artist in his 70s in Oricon charts history.

Although Enka is becoming less popular with the younger generation, he is still Japan's most famous singer. He does a lot of concerts overseas as well, and he is contributing a lot of work to the culture of Japanese music.

In addition to his singing career, Kitajima acted in the role of Tatsugorō on the television series Abarenbō Shōgun. During the quarter-century life of the series, he also sang its theme songs.

炎の男
北島三郎 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

男の俺が選んだ道だ
たとえ茨の道だとて
決して決して
決して泣いたりはしないさ
負けてたまるかぐっと
睨むこの目に血がたぎる

惚れた女もいたにはいたが

恋におぼれりゃ遠廻り
何んで何んで
何んで今さら愚痴なんか
言わぬつもりがぐっと
あおる冷や酒歯にしみる

我慢我慢だ試練に耐えりゃ
たてた誓いも夢じゃない
燃えろ燃えろ
燃えろ炎の男なら

明日に生きるさぐっと
あおぐ夜空に高笑い

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of the song "炎の男" by 北島三郎, the singer boldly declares that he has chosen a difficult path in life, even if it means walking through a path full of thorns. The lyrics emphasize his resolve and determination, stating that he will never cry or show weakness, firmly stating "負けてたまるか" which roughly translates to "I will never accept defeat." The imagery of blood boiling in his eyes highlights his intense spirit and refusal to back down in the face of challenges.

The lyrics then touch upon the theme of love, acknowledging that there have been women he has fallen for in the past. However, the singer reflects on how getting lost in love can lead to taking unnecessary detours in life. Despite this, he refuses to indulge in complaining or self-pity, expressing his intention to not speak ill of love. The mention of chilling sake stinging his teeth paints a vivid image of the singer internalizing his emotions and opting for a harsh, but necessary, form of self-discipline.

The song shifts towards a message of perseverance and endurance in the face of trials. The singer emphasizes the importance of enduring hardships and staying true to one's commitments. The mention of making promises that are not just mere dreams further emphasizes the singer's belief in the power of resilience and dedication. The repeated exhortation to "burn, burn" in the flames of passion signifies a call to action and a reminder to live with passion and determination, especially for someone who identifies as a fiery and resilient man.

In the final verse, the singer reaffirms his resolve to live boldly as a man of fire, unapologetic for his strong will and unwavering spirit. The imagery of laughing heartily into the night sky signifies a sense of triumph and defiance in the face of adversities. The lyrics encapsulate a sense of defiance, strength, and resilience, urging the listener to embrace life's challenges with unwavering determination and to face the future with courage and a fiery spirit that laughs in the face of obstacles.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 譲二原

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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