Sakamoto Maaya (坂本真綾, born March 31, 1980 in Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan) is a J… Read Full Bio ↴Sakamoto Maaya (坂本真綾, born March 31, 1980 in Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress (seiyuu) and singer. Known for her clear voice, and working as a voice-over actress for foreign movies and TV commercials from the age of 8, her life reached a turning point at the age of 16 when she played in her first animated series The Vision of Escaflowne, as the lead female character. She also sang the opening song, which became her debut single in 1996. Since then she has performed many other insert songs for various TV anime series, for which she has become notably popular.

She is also known for her close work with Yoko Kanno (菅野よう子), a well-known producer and composer, since the time of her debut until 2004. They came back working together again in 2008.

On August 13, Maaya announced on her website that she married fellow seiyuu 鈴村健一 (Suzumura Kenichi) on August 8, 2011.

Birds
坂本真綾 Lyrics

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ざわめきは遠くなっていく
景色はかすんで見えなくなる
この目も耳も指もかかとも
静かに震えて目覚めていく
愛して愛して愛して愛して
あなたをただ求めてる
光を見せて連れ出して
息も出来ないくらい抱きしめて

もっともっと激しく
何もいらないあなただけが
この世でたったひとつ奇麗なもの
すべてを脱ぎ捨て舞い上がれ

扉ひとつ向こう側には
あふれる憎しみ邪悪と罪
ひとりで出ていけばきっと
潰されてしまうでも今なら
強く強く強く強く
この手を放さないで
痛みを分けて弱さ見せて
隠しきれない嘘も全部
もっともっと預けて
あなたの胸のいちばん奥に
どんなずるく汚いものを見つけても
私が触ってあげるから

吸い込まれてく
水のように溶けていく
愛に満たされ穏やかな水のように
光を見せて連れ出して
息も出来ないくらい抱きしめて
もっともっと激しく
痛みを分けて弱さ見せて
隠しきれない嘘も全部
もっともっと預けて
光を見せて連れ出して
息も出来ないくらい抱きしめて
もっともっと激しく
何もいらないあなただけが

この世でたったひとつ奇麗なもの
すべてを脱ぎ捨て舞い上がれ

Overall Meaning

The song "birds" by Maaya Sakamoto speaks about the intensity of love and its ability to overcome fear and weakness, leading to the discovery of inner strength. The lyrics are saturated with strong emotions that are described through powerful imagery. The first verse describes the feeling of the world fading away as love takes over, and even the body trembles with excitement and anticipation. The second verse talks about a world beyond a closed door filled with darkness, hatred, and sin that could destroy one's life. However, the singer expresses her determination to hold on tightly to her lover's hand and face whatever may come her way, showing her vulnerability and dependence upon her lover. The chorus repeats the phrase "愛して," meaning "I love you" in Japanese, conveying the intensity of emotion the singer feels towards her lover. The rest of the chorus paints a picture of a passionate embrace, a desperate desire to be closer physically and emotionally, and the willingness to leave everything behind for love.

The final verse is a culmination of the song's themes, as the singer talks about being consumed by love like water, feeling fulfilled and at peace. She expresses her desire to show her lover her deepest secrets and fears, trusting him to keep her safe and soothe her pain. The final message is one of liberation, urging the listener to shed all inhibitions and embrace love, the most beautiful thing in the world.

Overall, the lyrics of "birds" are a poignant portrayal of the overwhelming power of love, its ability to heal, and the trust and vulnerability required in a healthy relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

ざわめきは遠くなっていく
The noise fades away into the distance.

景色はかすんで見えなくなる
The scenery becomes blurry and disappears.

この目も耳も指もかかとも
My eyes, ears, fingers, and heels,

静かに震えて目覚めていく
Are awakened and quietly trembling.

愛して愛して愛して愛して
Loving, loving, loving, loving

あなたをただ求めてる
Just longing for you.

光を見せて連れ出して
Show me light and take me away.

息も出来ないくらい抱きしめて
Hold me tightly until I can't breathe.

もっともっと激しく
Even more intense,

何もいらないあなただけが
I don't need anything, only you,

この世でたったひとつ奇麗なもの
The one and only beautiful thing in this world,