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.

Babylon
松任谷由実 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

暁は煙りビルはゆらめき
消えてゆくライトに空は紫
はしゃいで帰れば通りは響き
今日も動きだすバビロン

毎日がまるで夢のようです
気の合う友達もふえてゆきます
見違えるくらい綺麗になったね

微笑んで見えるバビロン

そしてそしてヒロインになるの
なんでなんで涙が出るの

朝を舞う鳥はハイウェイを越えて
森や川見下ろし故郷へゆくの

おととしの私思い出せない
ここは幻のバビロン

Overall Meaning

In 松任谷由実's song BABYLON, she describes the bustling city life of Babylon, which is famous for its grandeur and riches. The first few lines describe the morning scene of the city with the smog and the buildings shivering, indicating that the city is already bustling with activity. She mentions the sky is purple, which may indicate the starting of a new day in the city, and a new chapter of people's lives. As she walks back from her activities, she can hear the echoes of the streets still ringing in her head, indicating that the city never sleeps.

The second paragraph describes how the city makes her feel. The singer describes the experience of being in Babylon, something she describes as being like a dream. She also mentions how the city seems brighter and lovelier than before, and how this has brought her happiness. However, in the last part, the singer seems to be questioning why she's feeling so emotional with tears coming to her eyes.

The final part of the song describes the journey of a bird, symbolizing freedom, which passes over the highways into the forest and river to return to its hometown. The singer also mentions that Babylon is surreal, or perhaps even a fantasy, and recounts a memory from two years ago that can't be remembered.

Line by Line Meaning

暁は煙りビルはゆらめき
As dawn breaks, the smoke rises from the buildings that are swaying to and fro.

消えてゆくライトに空は紫
In the fading light of the day, the sky turns a shade of purple.

はしゃいで帰れば通りは響き
As we return home, the streets echo with our raucous laughter.

今日も動きだすバビロン
Today, the bustling city of Babylon comes to life once again.

毎日がまるで夢のようです
Every day feels like a dream.

気の合う友達もふえてゆきます
The number of like-minded friends keeps growing.

見違えるくらい綺麗になったね
It's so beautiful that it's almost unrecognizable.

微笑んで見えるバビロン
Babylon appears before us with a smile.

そしてそしてヒロインになるの
And so, she becomes the heroine.

なんでなんで涙が出るの
Why, oh why, are tears streaming down her face?

朝を舞う鳥はハイウェイを越えて
The bird dancing in the morning flies over the highway.