雨のスタジアム
少年隊 Lyrics

The lyrics to 少年隊's song 雨のスタジアム (“Rainy Stadium”) tell the story of a young man who visits a stadium on a rainy day, reflecting on memories of a lost love. In the first verse, he recalls seeing her in the stands during a game, shouting and clinging to the fence. The chorus repeats the line “ah, I came to the rainy stadium,” emphasizing the melancholy nature of the visit. The second verse takes place in a hallway, where he sees a shadow waiting against the wall. He embraces the shadow, which he recognizes as being the person he once knew, but who has changed over time. The final verse finds him alone on the wet field, kicking a ball into the air, recalling the physical and emotional pain of his past experiences.

The song’s use of imagery is impressive, painting a vivid picture of the damp and solitary stadium. The “wet uniform” and “rainy ground” symbolize the emotional weight of the singer’s past relationship. The “invisible chest wound” that he feels, and the way he clings to his button-less shirt, suggest that he is still suffering from the after-effects of heartbreak. The repetition of the chorus and the use of the word “ah” add to the overall sense of wistfulness and longing.

雨のスタジアム is a classic piece of Japanese pop music, released in 1987. It remains a touchstone for fans of the genre in Japan and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song’s legacy is cemented by the fact that it was used in a popular commercial campaign for a Japanese beer maker in the early 2000s. The song has even been adapted into a manga and anime series.