Saitō is well-known in Japan for being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She drew some attention to that fact when she first began her career because she refused to work on Sundays. Her hobbies include songwriting, illustrating and reading.
Sotsugyou
斉藤由貴 Lyrics
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下級生たちにねだられ
頭かきながら逃げるのね
ほんとは嬉しいくせして
人気ない午後の教室で
机にイニシャル彫るあなた
やめて想い出を刻むのは
心だけにしてとつぶやいた
小指差し出して言うけど
守れそうにない約束は
しない方がいい ごめんね
セーラーの薄いスカーフで
止まった時間を結びたい
だけど東京で変ってく
あなたの未来は縛れない
ああ卒業式で泣かないと
冷たい人と言われそう
でももっと哀しい瞬間に
涙はとっておきたいの
席順が変わり
あなたの隣の娘にさえ妬いたわ
いたずらに髪をひっぱられ
怒ってる裏ではしゃいだ
駅までの遠い道のりを
はじめて黙って歩いたね
反対のホームに立つ二人
時の電車がいま引き裂いた
ああ卒業しても友だちね
それは嘘では無いけれど
でも過ぎる季節に流されて
逢えないことも知っている
ああ卒業式で泣かないと
冷たい人と言われそう
でももっと哀しい瞬間に
涙はとっておきたいの
The lyrics to "Sotsugyou" by 斉藤由貴 describe the bittersweet emotions that come with graduating from high school and leaving behind familiar faces and places. The singer is reminiscing on past experiences and relationships, including the teasing of younger students about the buttons on her uniform and the sweet but unfulfillable promises made between friends. She wants to hold onto the memories of her youth but is aware of how time and distance have the power to erode even the closest of bonds.
In the second verse, she confesses to the jealousy she felt towards the girl who sat next to her crush and the playful interactions they shared. She takes a silent walk with her crush as the train of time separates them, leaving her to acknowledge that even though they'll always be friends, they may not see each other again. The chorus repeats the idea that while she knows she should cry at graduation to appear sentimental, the moments that truly deserve tears are the ones that leave a more profound mark.
Overall, "Sotsugyou" encapsulates the emotions of nostalgia, sadness, and hope that come with leaving behind a chapter of life and entering into the unknown. The regrets and unfulfilled promises give the sense that it's difficult to let go and move on, but the singer acknowledges that holding onto memories can help cherish the moments that truly mattered.
Line by Line Meaning
制服の胸のボタンを
Asking for the buttons on your uniform's chest, the underclassmen plead.
下級生たちにねだられ
They beseech you, the senior.
頭かきながら逃げるのね
While scratching your head and trying to escape from them, you really feel happy.
ほんとは嬉しいくせして
You pretend to hate it but in reality, you enjoy dodging them.
人気ない午後の教室で
In an unpopular classroom, during the afternoon.
机にイニシャル彫るあなた
You're carving your initials onto the desk.
やめて想い出を刻むのは
Someone says 'Please don't leave memories here', so you just keep them in your heart.
心だけにしてとつぶやいた
You whispered that you'll call even if you're separated and extended your little finger, though you might not be able to keep that promise.
離れても電話するよと
Breaking a promise is worse than not making one at all, so you said sorry.
小指差し出して言うけど
Though you want to stay together, you can't tie down somebody else's future.
守れそうにない約束は
You don't want to seem heartless, but you're going to hold back tears at your graduation ceremony, so you won't be seen as a cold person.
しない方がいい ごめんね
You feel jealous of the girl next to you when the seating order is changed, and you laugh when she pulls your hair but secretly you get mad.
セーラーの薄いスカーフで
You and your friends want to freeze time while wearing your sailor school uniform scarves and not forget this moment.
止まった時間を結びたい
But Tokyo will change you no matter how much you want to hold on to the past.
だけど東京で変ってく
Even though you'll still be friends after graduation, the seasons will change, and there will be times you won't be able to see each other.
あなたの未来は縛れない
You want to keep the sad moments in your heart, not just cry at the graduation ceremony, for you fear people might think you're cold-hearted..
ああ卒業式で泣かないと
You walk silently for the first time with a friend, along the long road towards the train station, the train of time will tear you apart.
冷たい人と言われそう
Graduating doesn't end friendships, but time does blow them away with the wind.
でももっと哀しい瞬間に
You don't want to cry at the graduation ceremony, land in people's eyes as cold, and instead, keeps your tears for sadder moments to come.
涙はとっておきたいの
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 隆 松本
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind