Okazaki was born in Nagasaki but her family moved to Tokyo when she was in third grade. As a high school student, she formed a band with two classmates called Eleanor (エレナー), in which she played piano and sang backup vocals. It was at this time she began writing original songs. She began her professional career in 1985 composing music for TV programs and commercials as well as for other singers under a variety of names, the most frequently used being Ritsu ("Ritz") Morino (森野律). She debuted as a solo artist in 1993 with the single "Kanashii jiyû" (悲しい自由) followed shortly by her first album, "Sincerely yours,". She spent much of the 1990s creating solo works. Around 2000 until her death, her career became profoundly more focused on music for animated series. To this end, in 2001 she teamed up with singer-songwriter Megumi Hinata (日向めぐみ) to form Melocure, a project that produced music for a variety of series.
In the spring of 2003, Okazaki discovered she had stomach cancer. This information was not announced to the public at the time and she continued to pursue her professional activities to the best of her ability. On May 5, 2004, she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from septic shock. She was 44 years old. Her album "For RITZ", which was in production when she passed, was completed with what voice recordings were available (some were only preliminary) and released as a tribute.
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長崎県西彼杵郡高島町（現長崎市）端島出身。高校一年の時に同期生2人とバンド「エレナー」を結成し、3人で音楽活動を始める。当時の担当はピアノ、コーラスだった。
音楽業界に入った後に「森野律」などの名義でコマーシャル音楽などを手がけたり、アーティストに楽曲を提供していた。OVA『1月にはChristmas』主題歌「冬のないカレンダー」で、歌手の「岡崎律子」としてトーラスレコード（その後、会社自体がポリグラム（現在はユニバーサルミュージック）に編入された）からデビュー、晩年はスターチャイルドに移籍した。テレビアニメ『魔法のプリンセスミンキーモモ』イメージソング「4月の雪」「約束」を担当。歌手活動と並行して、ラジオやエッセイなどで活躍したり、アニメ・ゲーム作品や声優の曲を数多く手がけている。日向めぐみとのユニット「メロキュア」も、広く注目を得る。ヤマハ音楽教室のピアノ・エレクトーン教室の音楽教材にも、曲をいくつか提供しており、音楽教室の生徒向け教材CDに収録されている。
2004年5月5日に敗血症性ショックのため死去。44歳没。
その死後、2003年春にスキルス胃がんを発病して、闘病生活を送りつつ創作活動を続けていたことが明らかになった。交流のあった芸能関係者以外では一部の例外を除き、親族の意向により墓所は一般公表されていない。遺作となった『for RITZ』は、制作途中であったため、発表時には冥福を祈る意味でタイトルが変更された。同アルバムには、本番収録が間に合わずテスト状態で収録された曲もある。
Reminiscence
岡崎律子 Lyrics
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あなた想えば 甘い記憶
ここで待ちあわせした
あなたに早く話したくて
いつもいつも つきあわせてごめん
夢中になると何もみえなくなって
つまずいても そばで笑ってくれる
守られていた
二人の夢を高く飛ばそう
風に乗ったラジコン
空を滑り やがて落ちた
いつか こんな空の下で
どんな夢をみているだろう
まだ知らないまま
ずっとそばにいたい そう思ってた
守られていた
今も思う あのサヨナラの時
今 この指を決して離してはだめ
知っていたのに なぜ
私にはその覚悟がなくて
The lyrics of 岡崎律子's song "reminiscence" express a lot of nostalgia as the singer reminisces about fond memories of someone she loved during the Spring season. She longs for the comfort and protection of her old relationship, recalling the times they used to meet at the same place and how she would always be impatient to talk to them. She apologizes for perhaps being too clingy at times, but remembers how her partner was always there for her, even when she fell. She recalls a time when they were both by a river, dreaming together of flying high and free, but eventually falling back down to earth. She wonders what dreams they might be dreaming under the same sky now and wishes she could be by their side, the way they once used to protect each other.
The lyrics of this song reflect the universal human experience of looking back on a past relationship with a mixture of tenderness, regret, and longing. The Springtime setting evokes feelings of renewal and possibility, while the river and sky imagery symbolize the ups and downs of life and the dream of freedom and flight. The singer's desire to be with her former love again is shown through soft and delicate vocals, which complement the calm and gentle melody of the music. This song is a beautiful portrayal of the bittersweet memories and emotions of love that resonate with many of us.
Line by Line Meaning
春の風吹く道で
On a road where the spring wind blows
あなた想えば 甘い記憶
Sweet memories come to mind when I think of you
ここで待ちあわせした
We arranged to meet here
あなたに早く話したくて
I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible
いつもいつも つきあわせてごめん
I'm sorry for always sticking to you
夢中になると何もみえなくなって
When I get too absorbed, I can't see anything
つまずいても そばで笑ってくれる
Even if I stumble, you laugh by my side
守られていた
I was being protected
空のひらけた川辺
By the wide open river in the sky
二人の夢を高く飛ばそう
Let's soar our dreams high together
風に乗ったラジコン
A remote-controlled toy riding on the wind
空を滑り やがて落ちた
Glided through the sky, and eventually fell
いつか こんな空の下で
Someday, under this same sky
どんな夢をみているだろう
What kind of dreams are we having?
まだ知らないまま
Still unaware
ずっとそばにいたい そう思ってた
I always thought I wanted to be by your side
守られていた
I was being protected
今も思う あのサヨナラの時
Even now, I think about that farewell
今 この指を決して離してはだめ
Now, I must never let go of this finger
知っていたのに なぜ
Even though I knew it, why
私にはその覚悟がなくて
I didn't have that kind of determination
Writer(s): 岡崎 律子, 岡崎 律子
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.