Yumi Matsutōya (松任谷由実, born January 19, 1954) is a Japanese singer-songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴Yumi Matsutōya (松任谷由実, born January 19, 1954) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She was born in Hachioji, Tokyo. Her nickname is Yuming, which she received at the age of 13 from a Chinese artist, who inspired her to take on a career in music. Her first 4 albums are released under her maiden name, Yumi Arai (荒井由実).

In 1972, she released her debut single Henji wa Iranai (返事はいらない, "No Response Necessary"). The next year she released her first album Hikoki-gumo (ひこうき雲, "Contrail").

In 1976, at the age of 22, she married her producer, Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷正隆), and from then on she went by her new name Yumi Matsutoya. In 1990, she received a gold disc grand prix. She also made appearances in many television commercials. Fans take note of her singing talent as well as her unique singing voice.

She became famous for many songs, including Hikoki-gumo and Haru yo, Koi (春よ、来い, 1994, "Spring, Come") which was used as the opening theme song for a TV drama by the same name. Her song Rouge no Den'gon (ルージュの伝言, "Rouge Message") is featured in the anime film Kiki's Delivery Service from the famed Studio Ghibli.

As reported on various websites, Yuming also writes songs for other singers, using the pen name Kureta Karuho.

返事はいらない
松任谷由実 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

この手紙が届くころには
ここにいないかもしれない
ひとところにじっとしてると
よけいなことも心配で会いたくなるから

昔にかりた本の中の
いちばん気に入った言葉を
おわりのところに書いておいた

あなたも好きになるように

遠く離れたこの街で
あなたのことは知りたいけど
思い出すと涙が出るから
返事はいらない

この手紙が届くころには
ここにいないかもしれない
ひとりぼっちじっとしてると
きのうのことがよく見える

遠く離れたこの街で
あなたのことは知りたいけど
思い出すと涙が出るから

返事はいらない
返事はいらない

Overall Meaning

In 松任谷由実's song 返事はいらない (No Need for a Reply), the lyrics depict a longing for a lost love. The opening line of the song, "この手紙が届くころにはここにいないかもしれない" ("By the time this letter reaches you, I may not be here"), sets the tone for the song's wistful and melancholic mood. The letter writer is unsure if they will still be in the same place once the letter arrives, emphasizing the transient nature of life and love.

Throughout the song, the writer reveals their innermost thoughts and desires, including a simple wish that their ex-lover may come to love the same quote they left at the end of a borrowed book. The writer acknowledges their loneliness and the difficulty of remembering their past relationship - "思い出すと涙が出るから" ("Because tears flow when I remember") - and ultimately decides that they don't need a reply from their lost love.

The chorus of the song, "返事はいらない" ("No need for a reply"), may seem like a rejection of communication, but it instead illustrates the writer's acceptance of the end of the relationship and their own emotional state. The song's lyrics are underlined by a gentle and nostalgic melody, creating a bittersweet tone that perfectly complements the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

この手紙が届くころには
By the time this letter reaches you,

ここにいないかもしれない
I may not be here anymore.

ひとところにじっとしてると
When I sit still in one place,

よけいなことも心配で会いたくなるから
I worry too much about unnecessary things and want to see you.

昔にかりた本の中の
In a book I borrowed in the past,

いちばん気に入った言葉を
I wrote down my favorite words in the end,

おわりのところに書いておいた
So that you might come to like them too.

あなたも好きになるように

遠く離れたこの街で
In this faraway town,

あなたのことは知りたいけど
Although I want to know about you,

思い出すと涙が出るから
I cry when I remember,