Ken Hirai (平井堅 Hirai Ken, born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese R&B and pop… Read Full Bio ↴Ken Hirai (平井堅 Hirai Ken, born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and spokesperson.

During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums until October 2010. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi wo Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan, while his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.

Signing with Sony, he released his first single in 1995, but to no great success. Hirai used the next four years to consolidate his style and take time out - he only released one single each in 1997 and 1998 and did not produce any new music during 1999. Fans waited until 2000 for a third album from Hirai, The Changing Same. It was the first single, "Rakuen" (楽園, Paradise), that established him as a major player in the Japanese sales charts and overseas. He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo Theater in New York, where he got a warm reception. Capitalizing on a strong fan base in Asia, Hirai appeared at the MTV Music Summit in Taiwan in August 2000. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.

PAUL
平井堅 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

泣きべその帰り道
遠回りも出来なくて
うつむいたまま重いドアを
ゆっくりと開けると
不思議そうに首を傾げ
僕を見てる君がいる
涙の跡が無くなるまで
僕の頬をザラリと舐めた

いじめっ子には
勝てそうもないけど頑張ってみるよ
擦り剥いた膝も
ママには内緒にしておいてよ
何も言わず聞いてくれる
君を強く抱きしめたら
苦しそうに僕の胸で
キュンと声を上げた

ただいまを言う相手も
今はいなくなったけど
君と追い駆けたあの夕焼けを
僕は決して忘れない
無くした物は
数え切れないけど振り向かず行くよ
君が教えて
くれた温もりを胸に抱いて
気がつけば声を上げて
泣く事を忘れたけど
本当はまだ泣き虫な僕を

空から見ていてよ
君を忘れはしない

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from 平井堅's song "PAUL" depict a nostalgic and bittersweet moment of returning home. The singer, whose cheeks bear the traces of tears, walks back home with a heavy heart and averted gaze. When they slowly open the door, they are met with the curious gaze of someone who had been waiting for them. This person licks the singer's cheeks, as if trying to comfort them. The singer acknowledges that they may not be able to win against their bullies but vows to do their best. They keep their scraped knees a secret from their mother, who listens to them without saying a word. When the singer tightly hugs this person, they let out a heartbreaking cry in the singer's arms.

Line by Line Meaning

泣きべその帰り道
On the way home with tears in my eyes

遠回りも出来なくて
Unable to take a detour

うつむいたまま重いドアを
With my head down, I slowly open the heavy door

ゆっくりと開けると
As I open it slowly

不思議そうに首を傾げ
Curiously tilting their head

僕を見てる君がいる
You, looking at me

涙の跡が無くなるまで
Until the traces of tears disappear

僕の頬をザラリと舐めた
Licked my cheek gently

いじめっ子には
Even though I may not win against the bullies

勝てそうもないけど頑張ってみるよ
I'll still give it my best shot

擦り剥いた膝も
Even my scraped knees