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。
Romantic connection
岡崎律子 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
みじかすぎるよ 星の帰り道
笑顔の背中が じゃあね 手を振ってる
平気な顔がとてもにくらしい
好きよ大好きだって 言ってしまいたい
明日などいらない 今 時を止めて
たったひとりの人が欲しいだけ
多くを望んでるわけじゃないの
だけど あなたでなくちゃだめと思う
神様 私は勝手でしょうか
目が覚めた時 もし そこにいてくれたら
もう 望むことはなにもないのに
ふいに口づけても あなたはきっとね
いつもどおり 私を帰すのね
はなれていたって 愛は大丈夫
いいえ さびしさに負けそうになるのよ
明日などいらない 今 時を止めて
今 このRomanceに飛びこんできて
The lyrics to 岡崎律子's song "Romantic Connection" describe the longing for a deeper emotional connection with someone. The singer expresses their desire to spend more time with this person, wishing that the journey home under the stars was longer. Despite the short time together, the singer waves goodbye to the person with a smile, though it hurts to keep a calm expression. The singer wants to express their love and has no interest in tomorrow, wanting to freeze time in the present moment.
The singer clarifies that they don't want much, just the company of one person. Though, they feel that this person is the one they need, and they wonder if it's selfish to feel that way. The singer imagines waking up next to this person and realizing that they don't need anything else if they have them. However, the person may not reciprocate the singer's feelings and may kiss them goodbye like they always do, leaving the singer alone again. Despite the distance, the singer assures themselves that love is strong and has hope for the future, but they struggle not to succumb to loneliness.
Overall, "Romantic Connection" portrays the bittersweet desire for a deeper connection with someone, the vulnerability of expressing love, and the fear of rejection and loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
ほんとうは もう少し一緒にいたかった
Honestly, I wanted to be together a little longer
みじかすぎるよ 星の帰り道
The return journey of stars is too short
笑顔の背中が じゃあね 手を振ってる
You turned around with a smile and waved goodbye
平気な顔がとてもにくらしい
I hate your calm face so much
好きよ大好きだって 言ってしまいたい
I want to say I love you so much
明日などいらない 今 時を止めて
I don't need tomorrow, so stop the time now
たったひとりの人が欲しいだけ
I just want one person
多くを望んでるわけじゃないの
I don't want much
だけど あなたでなくちゃだめと思う
But I think it won't work without you
神様 私は勝手でしょうか
God, is it selfish of me?
目が覚めた時 もし そこにいてくれたら
If you were there when I woke up
もう 望むことはなにもないのに
Even if there is nothing more to wish for
ふいに口づけても あなたはきっとね
Even if I kiss you suddenly, you surely
いつもどおり 私を帰すのね
Will send me home as usual
はなれていたって 愛は大丈夫
Even if we are apart, love is fine
いいえ さびしさに負けそうになるのよ
No, I feel like I'm going to lose to loneliness
今 このRomanceに飛びこんできて
Jump into this romance now
Writer(s): 岡崎 律子, 岡崎 律子
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.