In 2001 she released her first solo single, 愛のバカやろう (Ai no Bakayarou), which hit the #1 spot on the Oricon charts. Goto graduated from Morning Musume on her 17th birthday in 2002, and went on to become the second best-selling solo artist in H!P behind super-idol Aya Matsuura. Throughout her career with H!P, she was placed in various groups, released photobooks, and starred in movies, dramas, and theatre productions. As an idol, she released four albums, one best album, and 17 singles.
At the last show of her fall 2007 tour on October 28, Goto announced that she was graduating Hello! Project. She transferred labels from Up Front Group to avex's side label Rythym Zone in June 2008.
Goto made her avex debut in 2009, starting with a special collaboration project titled SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO, working with artists such as KEN THE 390 and BIGGA RAIJI. The SWEET BLACK PROJECT included a radio show and a special space on the social networking site Mixi. Goto chose the name herself, reflecting the positive and negative sides of today's women.
In January 2010, Goto witnessed her mother commit suicide by falling from the 3rd story of their family home. After the funeral, she stayed out of the public eye until she performed in a special live called "PREMIUM MINI LIVE" on June 3rd. At this live, a seat was reserved for her mother.
Goto released first official debut mini-album under her own name in July 2010, called ONE. This was also her first release under the avex trax label, rather than Rhythm Zone. The mini-album achieved moderate success, peaking at #10 on the daily ORICON charts and #10 on the weekly charts. The mini-album included a ballad with lyrics by Goto dedicated to her late mother, entitled 華詩 -hanauta-, which she sang in a heart-felt performance for a television special about her life.
Satisfied with the commercial success of the mini-album, Goto's staff wanted to keep her in the Top 10 once again with her January 2011 sophomore mini-album, "Gloria". The mini-album peaked at #5 on the daily ORICON charts and #12 on the weekly charts, having the hit 足跡 (Ashiato) as its promotional track. The CD+DVD version of the album also included professional footage of her 2010 "PREMIUM MINI LIVE" showcase.
Goto then released her third mini-album, "LOVE," in May 2011. It was a mini-album with all the tracks, mostly ballads, encompassing a theme of love. It included 4 new songs with lyrics written by Goto herself, as well as cover of the 90s classic, 空と君のあいだに (Sora to Kimi no Aida ni), by Miyuki Nakajima. The mini-album peaked at #8 on the Oricon charts.
On June 22, 2011, Maki Goto suddenly announced her hiatus from the music scene beginning in 2012. She also announced that she will be releasing her first full-length debut under avex on November 2nd. Two new songs, What is LOVE and SCANDALOUS, were revealed on June 20th for digital download. Goto also joined that summer's a-nation concert series as a featured artist.
Goto has stated that she wants to give it her all before her hiatus. As of October 2011, her projects have included a collaboration single with Kishidan's Show Ayanocozey, a planned photobook, and a temporary official blog.
How to use Loneliness
後藤真希 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
この場所来て 思い出せば良い
悲しい夜が来たら
泣き明かして 忘れるが良い
愛の歌
愛の言葉の影
夢の色
夢の涙
色あせて行く
Ah WOWWOWWOW
孤独と戦う人生でも
一人で生きてくわけでない
Ah WOWWOWWOW
自分に厳しく出来ないのに
誰かに優しくされたくて
思いついたことなら
すぐにメモに書き留めれば良い
忘れたい出来事は
自然力に任せるが良い
人の癖
人の心の中
夏の風
秋の気配
季節はめぐってく
Ah WOWWOWWOW
孤独に気付かぬ夜もあるし
みんなで迎える朝もある
Ah WOWWOWWOW
誰かに優しくされた夜に
涙がこぼれる時もある
孤独に気付かぬ夜もあるし
みんなで迎える朝もある
Ah WOWWOWWOW
誰かに優しくされた夜に
涙がこぼれる時もある
The lyrics to 後藤真希's song How to use Loneliness is about navigating through life's difficulties, particularly with regards to loneliness. The song advises that when one feels like giving up, they should come to a certain place to remind themselves of good memories. Similarly, it suggests that when one goes through a sad night, crying it out and forgetting about it is a good approach. The song encourages its listeners to remember the shadows of words and songs of love and the colors of their dreams; even as they fade away, they remain a part of us.
The song mentions the different seasons, summer's wind, and the autumn breeze as a reminder that everything changes, even loneliness. The lyrics point out that although they might have to fight loneliness or go through nights without realizing how lonely they are, there are times when they can share their mornings with others. The song concludes by acknowledging that there are nights when they cry after someone's kindness and that both solitary and collective moments are part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
あきらめたくなったら
この場所来て 思い出せば良い
If you want to give up, just come to this place and remember.
悲しい夜が来たら
泣き明かして 忘れるが良い
When sad nights come, cry it out and forget about it.
愛の歌
愛の言葉の影
The song of love, the shadow of love’s words.
夢の色
夢の涙
色あせて行く
The color of dreams, the tears of dreams, they fade away.
Ah WOWWOWWOW
Ah WOWWOWWOW
孤独と戦う人生でも
一人で生きてくわけでない
In a life where you struggle with loneliness, you are not alone.
自分に厳しく出来ないのに
誰かに優しくされたくて
Although you can’t be strict with yourself, you want someone to be kind to you.
思いついたことなら
すぐにメモに書き留めれば良い
If you come up with an idea, write it down right away.
忘れたい出来事は
自然力に任せるが良い
For things you want to forget, it’s best to leave it up to nature.
人の癖
人の心の中
The habits of people, inside the hearts of people.
夏の風
秋の気配
季節はめぐってく
The summer wind, the feeling of autumn, the seasons keep changing.
孤独に気付かぬ夜もあるし
みんなで迎える朝もある
There are nights where you don’t realize you’re lonely, as well as mornings where you welcome everyone.
誰かに優しくされた夜に
涙がこぼれる時もある
There are times when you cry on nights when someone has been kind to you.
孤独に気付かぬ夜もあるし
みんなで迎える朝もある
There are nights where you don’t realize you’re lonely, as well as mornings where you welcome everyone.
Ah WOWWOWWOW
誰かに優しくされた夜に
涙がこぼれる時もある
Ah WOWWOWWOW, there are times when you cry on nights when someone has been kind to you.
Writer(s): つんく
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.