After dropping out of a nuclear engineering program at Tokai University, Kenji Kawai began studying music at Shobi Music Academy. However, he dropped out after half a year. With a few friends, he created the band Muse, playing fusion rock and participating in music competitions. Through competing in such contests, the band members became technically competent to enter the music industry and decided to part ways.
After leaving Muse, Kenji Kawai began composing music for commercials in his home studio. While recording music for radio actor Yuji Mitsuya he met music director Naoko Asari, who advised him to compose anime soundtracks. Some of his work for anime soundtracks can be found in Ranma ½ , Ghost in the Shell and in the well-known recent film Death Note.
Following his success as an anime movies music composer, he became involved in live action movies. He contributed music to horror movies: Ringu, Ringu 2, Dark Water, polish-japanese science-fiction movie Avalon and Chinese movie Seven Swords. He has worked on several projects with director Mamoru Oshii (both Headgear members) and has written scores for all of the Hideo Nakata's films. The most recent film featuring his music is 2007's "Kaidan" by director Hideo Nakata.
Kenji Kawai's music has received the Annie award and Hong Kong Film Award In 2005, for Ghost in The Shell 2: Innocence he was nominated for an Annie award. For the music found in Chat gim and Muk gong he was nominated in 2006 and 2007 for the Hong Kong Film Award.
His official website is: http://www.kenjikawai.com/
メイン・テーマ
川井憲次 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
もう話す言葉も浮かばない
あっけない KISSのあと
ヘッドライト 点して
蝶のように 跳ねる波を見た
好きと言わない あなたのことを
息を殺しながら 考えてた
傷つく感じが素敵
笑っちゃう 涙の止め方も知らない
20年も生きてきたのにね
深入りするなよと ため息の壁なら
思いきり両手で突き破る
煙草をつけようと
マッチをするたびに
意地悪して 炎吹き消すわ
ドアを開いて 独り海へ
あなた車で背中を見ていて
愛ってよくわからないけど
深呼吸 不思議な気分
わかってる 昨日の賢い 私より
少しだけキレイになったこと
笑っちゃう 涙の止め方も知らない
20年も生きてきたのにね
生きてきたのにね
The lyrics are from the song メイン・テーマ- 結 (Main Theme - Conclusion) by 川井憲次 (Kawai Kenji). The song is a melancholic and introspective tune that reflects on the singer's inability to express love in words after a brief kiss with a beloved person. Time is described as creeping slowly through the heart as words fail to come to the forefront of the singer's mind. The headlights cast motes of light, and the singer is reminded of the ephemeral nature of love, and how fleeting it can be.
The singer cannot say "I love you" to the person they adore, but they carefully consider their feelings while holding their breath. The singer muses that they do not fully understand what love is, but they appreciate the way it can make them feel vulnerable and alive. The singer has lived for twenty years, laughing and crying without knowing how to stop the latter. They have been told not to get too involved, but they want to break through the walls of doubt and apprehension.
Line by Line Meaning
時は忍び足で 心を横切るの
Time passes quietly and subtly through our hearts
もう話す言葉も浮かばない
Words fail and thoughts remain unspoken
あっけない KISSのあと
After a fleeting kiss that left something to be desired
ヘッドライト 点して
With headlights on
蝶のように 跳ねる波を見た
Watching the waves spring up like butterflies
好きと言わない あなたのことを
Thinking of you and not saying 'I love you'
息を殺しながら 考えてた
Holding my breath while pondering
愛ってよくわからないけど
Not really understanding what love is
傷つく感じが素敵
Finding the feeling of being hurt surprisingly wonderful
笑っちゃう 涙の止め方も知らない
Laughing despite not knowing how to stop the tears
20年も生きてきたのにね
Even though I've lived for 20 years
深入りするなよと ため息の壁なら
If you're going to get involved, don't sigh and build a wall
思いきり両手で突き破る
Smash through it with both hands
煙草をつけようと
About to light a cigarette
マッチをするたびに
Every time I strike a match
意地悪して 炎吹き消すわ
Playing a mean trick by blowing out the flame
ドアを開いて 独り海へ
Opening the door and heading out to the sea alone
あなた車で背中を見ていて
Watching your back as you drive away
深呼吸 不思議な気分
Taking a deep breath and feeling a strange sensation
わかってる 昨日の賢い 私より
I know I am wiser than the person I was yesterday
少しだけキレイになったこと
Feeling like I've become a bit more beautiful
生きてきたのにね
Even though I've come this far in life
Writer(s): 川井憲次
Contributed by Isabella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.