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.

TUG OF WAR
平井堅 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

シャワーの音が響くすき間
君の目が光る
携帯の着信を見ては僕に詰め寄る
後ろめたいものはないのに
君の視線そらしちゃう
濡れたカラダ拭いもせずに
気にしてない態度貫く
「愛してるの?」

「なんだよ急に」
「口にしてよ」「照れるだろ」
「どうしてなの?」
「言葉じゃないよ!」
「そんなの関係ない!」
「言葉じゃないだろ!」

男はいつも狙い定め
追いかける生き物
追いかけられ始めるとすぐ
逃げ出したくなる
緊迫してる非常事態を
抜け出す術はただひとつ
力ずくでキスを求めて抱き寄せたら
うまくかわされた
「私を見て」「疲れているんだ」
「好きじゃないの?」
「そういう意味じゃない」
「ねえ聞いてるの?」
「何度も言うなよ!」
「そう言って逃げる気?」
「怒らせるなよ!」
「愛してるの?」
「それはわからない」
「口にしてよ」「照れるだろ」
「どうしてなの?」
「言葉じゃないから」
「愛してないのね?どうなの!」

「愛してるの?」
「なんだよ急に」
「口にしてよ」「照れるだろ」
「どうしてなの?」
「言葉じゃないよ!」
「そんなの関係ない!」
「言葉じゃないだろ!」
「私を見て」「疲れているんだ」
「好きじゃないの?」
「そういう意味じゃない」
「ねえ聞いてるの?」
「何度も言うなよ!」

「そう言って逃げる気?」
「怒らせるなよ!」

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "TUG OF WAR" by Japanese singer-songwriter Ken Hirai depict a difficult conversation between two people, likely romantic partners. The first verse describes the setting of the shower separating the two and the tension in the air as the singer's partner pulls away from them when they try to address something. The singer is frustrated that their partner won't make eye contact with them and pushes them to answer if they love them. The partner, however, avoids answering the question directly and continually protests that words don't mean anything.

The second verse switches to a broader perspective on relationships and how people prioritize their desires. The singer describes men as always having a target and always wanting to chase things, but that as soon as they're the one being chased, they want to escape. The solution to escaping this tense situation, the singer suggests, is to force a kiss and embrace the partner. However, this attempt is rebuffed, and the partner continues to avoid answering the question of whether or not they love the singer. The song ends with a repeat of the earlier chorus, as the two continue to talk past each other.

Line by Line Meaning

シャワーの音が響くすき間
The gap between the sound of the shower and your shining eyes.

君の目が光る
Your eyes are shining.

携帯の着信を見ては僕に詰め寄る
Looking at your phone's incoming calls and squeezing me.

後ろめたいものはないのに
There is nothing to feel guilty about.

君の視線そらしちゃう
I can't look straight into your eyes.

濡れたカラダ拭いもせずに
Without wiping your wet body.

気にしてない態度貫く
Persisting in an attitude that doesn't care.

「愛してるの?」
"Do you love me?"

「なんだよ急に」
"What do you mean, suddenly?"

「口にしてよ」「照れるだろ」
"Say it out loud," "You're embarrassed."

「どうしてなの?」
"Why?"